What temperature can powder coating withstand?

Powder coatings offer a good degree of resistance to heat, as well as UV rays and chemicals, but what temperature can powder coating withstand?

The crucial thing here is to be clear what your end application is, and match it with the right kind of powder coating that will offer sufficient heat resistance.

There is a range of materials you can powder coat for heat resistance, including:

• Metal
• Wood
• MDF
• Glass
• Composite materials

Why Do Surfaces Need Heat Protection?

Exposing substrates to heat can damage them, with surface breakages and corrosion. This kind of damage can also come from rapid fluctuations in temperature.

There are numerous items, products and surfaces which benefit from surface heat protection, enabling them to withstand high temperatures.

These include pipework and chemical plants, chimneys, engine components and outdoor furniture and architectural features.

Temperature resistant powder coatings offer the following benefits:

• Protection from corrosion – applied to steel surfaces, powder coating provides an added layer of protection between the surface and its insulating layer
• Resistance to abrasion – powder coating makes substrates suitable for challenging environments
• Reducing thermal fatigue – powder coating extends the life of machine parts and improves performance
• Enabling higher operating temperatures.

Various categories of heat resistant powder coating can provide effective thermal protection for substrates, withstanding temperatures up to 550°C.

High temperature powder coatings are usually silicone based.

They also are free from volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them environmentally friendly and easy to both transport and dispose of safely.

Choosing a High Temperature Powder Coating

It is important to consider the needs and function of the substrate you wish to protect with powder coating:

• What is the maximum temperature it will need to withstand? High temperature powder coatings will perform well, but only within the temperature range they are designed to tolerate. You will find that each type of powder coating will have a specific temperature range.

• Is the surface you are coating insulated? Corrosion under insulation (CUI) is a particular issue in some industries. In these circumstances, the coating must provide corrosion resistance but also be able to deal with application to hot surfaces.

• What will the temperature of the substrate be during application of the powder coating? Some powder coatings are formulated for hot temperature application (around 300°C), and some for ambient temperature application. For instance, will it be possible to shut down operations to apply a powder coating?

There are these other factors to think about too:

• Will the coated surface prevent a spread of flame should a fire break out? The relevant standard here is BS 476 parts 6 and 7.

• How combustible will the coated surface be? The relevant test here is European standard EN 13501-1. This also applies to the following two considerations.

• What is the smoke emission of the coated surface?

• Will the coated surface release particles into the air during a fire?

Powder coatings can provide effective heat resistance, withstanding temperatures up to 550°C.

However, you must choose your coating carefully, to ensure it matches your end application.

For more information, please contact us.