Powder coating technology: So how does it work?
So how does the technology behind Ultra-enabled power coating work? How does it differ to traditional liquid-based coating? And what are the benefits? Take a look for yourself…
1Uralac® Ultra Powder Coating Process
Production & preparation
MDF is shaped, cut, routed and sanded as the designer prescribed. Due to the ease of processing of the one layer Ultra coating, the freedom in shapes is huge. Climatizing the MDF for a stable moisture percentage of the MDF, will make the process more consistent over different weather conditions and MDF supplier variations. Typical moisture percentages are between 4 and 8%
Loading
The coating process starts with loading the conveyer belt with the MDF objects to coat. The MDF is hanging at metal hooks for a good earthing of the material.
Preheating
First step in the application process is pre-heating. In an IR oven, the MDF is heated to 50-60ºC for a good homogeneous conductivity of the substrate.
Spraying
Application of the Ultra powder is done with standard corona spray guns. The use of an active counter electrode give a huge step in the control of an evenly applied coating layer.
Curing
Curing of the coating is done at 130ºC for 3 minutes, depending on the substrate and powder used, the heat-up time varies between 2 to 5 minutes. An infrared oven is needed to have a fast heat-up and cure without over-heating the MDF. 130ºC is low enough to not damage most MDF types.
Unload, pack & ship
After cooling down the conveyer belt can be un-loaded. The cooled down MDF has a fully cured coating now and is ready to pack and ship.
How does it work?
Many manufacturers have embraced the newest Uralac® Ultra technology because of its many revolutionary advantages. With this technology it is possible to powder coat different kinds of wood like for example MDF. Interested in what Uralac® Ultra can do for you and the process? Watch the movie and find out.
Powder Coating Line Layout
Uralac® Ultra case studies
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Ten times faster with powder coatings
Discover why and how Belgian company Kempa, manufacturer and coater of high-end kitchen furniture, chose Uralac® Ultra based powder coatings.
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Wooden garden furniture with coating that lasts for up to 20 years!
Discover how DSM's Uralac® Ultra team worked with Dutch designer Jan Willem Henssen and Fraam farm on highly durable and sustainable outdoor furniture.
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Wet paints - a thing of the past for Austrian furniture maker
Discover why and how Austrian furniture maker Finima chose Uralac® Ultra based powder coatings to offer more sustainable furniture with superb surface appearance.
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Driving forward with powder coatings
Discover how powder coating technology for wood and MDF has allowed VEPA to unlock extra value in the furniture industry.
Publications
- DSM launches collaboration with Vepa to drive powder coating application technology (202.41 KB)
- Press release: INSIDE/INSIDE maakt duurzaam interieur meetbaar (Dutch language) (117.18 KB)
- Uralac® Ultra covered in Besser Lackieren magazine issue August 2016 (German language) (1.95 MB)
- Uralac® Ultra covered in Houtwereld magazine issue January 2016 (Dutch language) (240.24 KB)
- Uralac® Ultra covered in Oppervlaktetechnieken October 2016 (Dutch language) (110.14 KB)
- Uralac® Ultra covered in Journal für Oberflächentechnik issue 08 2013(German language) (3.06 MB)
- Uralac® Ultra covered in Polymers Paint Colour Journal issue October 2010 (English language) (672.37 KB)
- Uralac® Ultra covered in World Furniture Online issue September 2013 (English language) (1.85 MB)
Frequently asked questions
How is it possible to spray powder on standard “non-conductive” MDF?
For the application of the powder, the moisture in the MDF is used for conductivity. A moisture content of 4-to-8 percent of weight is sufficient to attract the powder.
Is special MDF needed for powder coating?
No special powder-MDF is needed for powder coating – although there are differences between the available qualities and types. We therefore recommend evaluating the MDF type you intend to use before making your pieces. Furthermore, a conditioned storage area is recommended to control the moisture content of the MDF.
Can I use my existing powder coating for metal oven for curing MDF powder?
Most of the conventional curing ovens are convection ovens but the best results for MDF are reached with infrared radiation (IR) ovens. With IR ovens, the surface of the MDF can be heated up quickly to cure the powder coating, while the core of the MDF stays relatively cool. With convention ovens, the temperatures are often too high or the core of the MDF heats-up too much because of the longer time needed to reach the curing temperature.
Interested in Uralac® Ultra?
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