Understanding Parameters Affecting System Transfer Efficiency (STE) of Powder Coatings in the Paint Industry

Powder coatings are fine-ground fused plastic particles that physically resemble sand-containing binders, extenders, pigments, fillers, and leveling additives. In this work, developed powder coating samples that consist of 70 % polyester and 30% epoxy majors were applied by a corona gun and after the application the powder-coated surface was heated in an oven, powdered fine particles were melted and a coating film was developed. The study aims to evaluate the effects of different parameters like particle size distribution, particle moisture content, and particle fluidization value on determining the system transfer efficiency of powder coating for application in the paint industry. The effect of the parameters showed a system transfer efficiency of 80% at 65 micrometer particle size and 0.25% moisture content. However, a system transfer efficiency of 83% was noted when the moisture content and fluidization value were studied at 0.25% and 145 respectively. New trends in powder coating production are sustainability, low-temperature cure, and high durability of a coating film as it steers supply chain difficulties and labor shortages, paving the way for a robust and creative future.