What is Polyester Coating?
Polyester coatings are a form of protective treatment applied to a material to improve its aesthetics and durability. They are renowned for their durability, including their resistance to UV rays, moisture, corrosion, impact, and abrasion. Polyester coatings are generally applied to any material that is not heat-sensitive. Some common applications include: fences, windows, doors, car parts, white goods, and furniture. The advantage of applying polyester coatings to these products is the increased longevity the coating brings. By using polyester coatings, products look better for longer and last longer, which reduces life cycle costs.
This article will discuss what polyester coating is, its properties, applications, and advantages.
What Is Polyester Coating?
Polyester coating is a form of finishing, whereby a coat is sprayed directly onto the metal from a spray gun in the form of a dried powder to give it a stronger coating in comparison to conventional paint. Polyester coating provides the same desired look as a painted finish but will provide a more inherently robust finish that is long-lasting, durable, and applicable on many surfaces.
What Are the Uses of Polyester Coating?
Polyester coating has a wide range of uses. It is commonly used for outdoor products and is often a replacement for traditional paint for various applications, such as:
Outdoor furniture, such as tables and chairs.
Window frames.
Fencing.
Guardrails.
External door surfaces, coated frames, and surfaces of electronic devices.
Car parts.
Microwave ovens.
Refrigerators.
What Is Polyester Coating Made Of?
Polyester coatings are made of a mix of different ingredients including: resins, pigments, flow agents, matting agents, curing agents, and waxes. The type of additives that make up the polyester coating will determine its properties, behavior, color, and finish. The composition percentages and exact chemicals will vary depending on the specific polyester coating. However, an example of a polyester coating composition is 40% polyester, 26% melamine cross-linker, 16% cellulose acetate butyrate, and 18% binder solids.
How Does Polyester Coating Differ From Other Types of Coating?
Polyester coatings differ from epoxy coatings because epoxy coatings are much better at adhering to metals than polyesters, however they are more adversely affected by the weather. For this reason, epoxy coatings are used as an undercoat, and polyesters are used as a final coat. Urethanes are very similar to polyester coatings as they are chemically similar; the main difference is the curing agent they use. Urethanes are more chemically resistant but also more expensive than polyester. Urethanes also give off gas a lot during curing and can become brittle when applied in thick layers.
Is Polyester Coating Better Than Latex Coating?
No, one is not necessarily better than the other. Polyester and latex have their benefits. Both coatings have good corrosion resistance and UV resistance and come in a range of colors. Latex coatings have a higher level of shrinkage and handle high temperatures less well than polyester coatings.
What Are the Properties of Polyester Coating?
Polyester coatings are widely used for their desirable properties over traditional painting methods. An important property of polyester coating is its hardness, which increases its resistance to wear and abrasion. Polyester coatings also produce a high-gloss finish. In addition to wear resistance, polyester coatings are highly chemical resistant. Finally, polyester coatings have a more even finish than is achievable with traditional paint.
What Are the Different Types of Polyester Coating?
There are only two types of polyester powder coatings which are listed below:
TGIC (tri glycidyl isocyanurate): Chemical used for cross-linking in the coating.
Non-TGIC: Uses alternative chemicals to induce cross-linking in the powder coating.
How To Choose a Polyester Coating
To choose a polyester coating, first choose between using a TGIC or TGIC-free coating. TGIC coatings can cure at lower temperatures, are less sensitive to excess film thickness, and provide more resistance to over-baking than TGIC-free coatings. After choosing between TGIC or TGIC-free coatings you need to choose from a range of colors and finish types. The finish types of polyester coatings are generally a form of high-gloss finish, and there is a wide range of colors to choose from.
What Is Polyester Coating for Steel?
The polyester coating used for steel adds a layer of corrosion resistance which is important for the longevity of the steel. The polyester coating can either be colored or clear, which can add to the aesthetic of the steel for a cost-effective price. Polyester coatings can be used in conjunction with galvanization for steel.
What Is Polyester Coating for Plastic?
Plastics use a low-baked polyester coating to reduce the thermal impact of the polyester curing on the plastic. The low curing temperature of under 100 ºC for under a minute of cure time allows polyester to be used on plastics. The high cross-linking of the polyester results in a hardened polyester coating that is resistant to wear.
What Is Polyester Coating for Wood?
Polyester coatings are commonly used for wood furniture and fittings in interior and exterior settings. For wood applications, a low-bake polyester powder coating is used. Both wax and wax-free versions of polyester coatings are ideal for making a high-gloss finish. Polyester coatings used for top coats achieve a high chemical resistance which is easy to sand and is less susceptible to shrinkage when compared to traditional paint.
What Are the Advantages of Polyester Coating?
There are several advantages of using polyester coating over traditional painting methods, these advantages include:
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Polyester coatings are extremely durable when compared to non-powder coatings, as polyester can last for up to 40 years. Polyester is known for being resistant to chemicals, corrosion, and UV, which is why it can last so long. The abrasion and impact resistance of the cross-linked polymer chains also add to the longevity of this coating. That being said, the longevity of polyester coating can vary depending on several factors including: the surface preparation, the material being coated, the environmental condition, inclusion and void rates, and the specific composition of the polyester coating.
What Is the Difference Between Polyester Coating and Nylon Coating?
Nylon and polyester coatings are quite different as nylon is a thermoplastic and polyester is a thermosetting plastic. This significantly changes the way each coating reacts to high temperatures; thermoplastics (nylon) melt in response to heat, whereas thermoset plastics (polyester) have lots of molecular cross-linking which makes it impossible for the plastic to be melted and reformed. Nylon is also very low in coefficient of friction which gives it the ability to reduce noise and vibration passing through the parts that it coats. Nylon is also more sustainable as it can be stripped off of the product and reused.
What Is the Difference Between Polyester Coating and Epoxy Coating?
Polyester is impact-resistant, flexible, has a low curing temperature, and has long-lasting, durable UV resistance. Epoxy is best at chemical and corrosion resistance, and is better at adhering to metal. Epoxy is not very good at UV resistance and experiences fading. This can be overcome with the use of epoxy in conjunction with other coatings or used as a primer (which is coated on top but with a different coating).
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