TCI Powder Coatings Blog

Coating complex part geometries can be very challenging due to the Faraday cage effect .   However, with the proper set up, right equipment, and correct application technique, even tough Faraday cage areas can be successfully powder coated.  The Faraday cage effect can be overcome in a number of ways: Making sure the part is properly grounded: ungrounded parts have more severe Faraday issue Control humidity in the environment: below 40% relative humidity will increase the Faraday effect Adjust airflow velocity to deliver the powder inside a recess but not excessively preventing powder transfer Adjust gun voltage to reduce the charge on the powder particle: highly charged particles are more difficult to drive into the recessed areas and are more easily attracted to the flat surfaces.   Change spraying angles: approach recess at an obtuse angel Use a slotted spray gun tip to concentrate spray: selecting a different nozzle for the gun to slow the powder velo...

Have you ever powder coated parts with inside corners or complex geometries?  If so, it is likely that you have struggled with the Faraday cage effect. For those of you who have not, the Faraday cage is like an invisible electrical shield that prevents charged powder particles from reaching internal corners and recesses. If the powder particles cannot reach these areas, then the part will not be completely coated, which will result in poor coating performance and most likely premature corrosion. Contributing Factors to Faraday Cage Edges build quickly and can back-ionize before recesses can coat Corona charging creates strong electric fields Edges offer the least amount of resistance Electric fields follow the paths of least resistance Charged particles follow with lines of force The less the distance the more the attraction Look for Faraday Cage (part 2) next on - Overcoming the Faraday Cage Effect For more information on the Faraday cage effect, read TCI...

TCI Powder Coatings is a subsidiary of RPM International Inc ., a multi-national holding company with a broad range of subsidiaries in the coating and sealing fields. RPM’s consumer brands are primarily marketed in North America, but have a growing presence in Europe and the United Kingdom. These brands can be found on almost every garage or basement shelf in the U.S. and Canada which are sold through home improvement centers, mass merchants, hardware stores, paint stores, and craft shops. Product Categories Include Small-project paints and coatings Primer-sealers Specialty paints Caulks and sealants Wood stains and finishes Rust-preventative paints Wall covering preparation and removal products Market Leadership Subsidiaries Rust-Oleum : No. 1 brand recognition and market share position in the U.S. and Canada in the rust-preventative, decorative, specialty, and professional segments of the small-project paint category  DAP : No. 1 brand ...

TCI is excited to exhibit at FABTECH 2015 in Chicago, IL from November 9 th – 12 th , 2015 which is anticipating 40,000 attendees and 1,500 exhibitors, and 100 conference sessions all under one roof. FABTECH provides a convenient venue where attendees can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity, increase profits and discover new solutions to all of your metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing needs. Finishing Sessions You Can Attend at FABTECH 2015: C10: Conceptos Básicos de Pintura en Polvo en Español C20: New! Powder Coating Basics C20: Powder Coating Basics C31: The Future of Liquid Industrial Finishing C32: The Secrets of Purchasing a Finishing System C42: Old vs. New! Are You Ready for a Pretreatment Change C50: Finishing Spray Painting Workshop (session repeats as C90) C61: Troubleshooting for E-Coat Imperfections C62: Modernizing the Abrasive Air ...