High adhesion powder coatings offer superior bonding, often requiring minimal or no primer, and are essential for complex, hard-to-coat parts like architectural aluminum extrusions and intricate shelving. These advanced coatings use specialized polyester resins and high-performance cross-linking polymers, sometimes combined with TGIC, to penetrate deep recesses and angles, providing excellent uniformity, corrosion resistance, and durability on various metal substrates. For optimal results, these coatings also rely on a comprehensive pretreatment process involving conversion coatings like iron or zinc phosphate to prepare the metal surface for enhanced adhesion.

Applications & Use Cases

Key characteristics of high adhesion powder coatings

No/Minimal Primer Needed: Unlike many standard coatings, high adhesion powder coatings can often bond directly to the substrate without a primer, simplifying the process.

Excellent Uniformity: These coatings are engineered to electrostatically “wrap” around complex shapes and penetrate deep recesses, ensuring a consistent and even finish.

Superior Corrosion Resistance: The advanced formulations and proper pretreatment create a robust barrier against corrosion, even if the coating is damaged.

Enhanced Durability: They provide strong and lasting finishes with good UV resistance and weatherability, suitable for harsh outdoor conditions.

Examples of applications

Intricate Shelving: Achieving uniform coverage and strong adhesion on metal racks, shelving, and patio furniture.

Architectural Extrusions: Providing durable and aesthetically pleasing finishes for complex aluminum extrusions used in buildings.

Industrial Components: Ideal for applications requiring robust and long-lasting protection on steel, aluminum, and iron parts.

How to achieve high adhesion

Surface Preparation is Crucial: Before application, the metal surface must undergo a pretreatment process, typically involving an acid bath, to apply a conversion coating (such as iron or zinc phosphate). This creates a uniform, inert surface that improves paint adhesion.

Select the Right Coating: High transfer efficiency (HTE) or high-performance polyester-based coatings with specific cross-linking polymers are designed for this level of performance.

Apply Correctly: The powder coating is electrostatically applied, allowing it to wrap around the complex shapes of the part.

Cure Appropriately: The coated part is then heated in an oven to melt the powder, flow into a continuous layer, and cure the coating through a chemical reaction, forming a hard, durable finish.