Coil Coatings: Metal Finishing Industries Explore Long-Term Answer with Durable Coating Solutions

What are Coil Coatings?

Coil covering, also known as roll coatings, are thin film polymer coatings applied to metal sheets and coils during a continuous coil coating process. The high-tech coils produced through this process find applications across various industries like construction, automotive, and appliances.

Coatings applied through Coil Coatings offer superior protection and durability compared to traditional liquid and powder coatings applied post-production through spraying or electrostatic techniques. The tightly controlled coil coating process allows for precise film thickness and optical properties.

Coil Coatings Process

In the coil coating process, coils of metal substrate like aluminum, steel, zinc or other metals are unwound from a reel and passed through a multi-stage system. The basic stages involve pretreatment, primer application, topcoat application, and curing.

Pretreatment: The coils undergo chemical cleansing and pretreatment to clean and etch the metal surface. This promotes adhesion of subsequent coatings.

Primer Application: A corrosion-inhibiting primer is rolled or extruded onto the pretreated metal surface. This seals the metal and provides a base for topcoats.

Topcoat Application: The topcoats containing pigments, extenders and resins are applied over the primer in liquid or powder form through rollers or extruders.

Curing: The coated coils pass through an oven where they are cured at high temperatures. This fuses the topcoats and primers into a durable finish.

Quality Control and Coiling: The cured coils undergo quality inspection and are rewound tightly onto smaller reels for further processing or shipping.

Applications of Coil covering

Building and Construction

Coil covering are a popular choice for building cladding, roofing and wall paneling applications. The weatherproof finishes resist moisture, UV exposure and corrosion, ensuring long-lasting performance. Pre-painted steel and aluminum coils offer superior durability and life cycle cost savings compared to on-site applied paints.

Appliances

Durable coil covering are used to finish outdoor units, condensers and housing of appliances like air conditioners and refrigerators. Their UV resistance helps maintain the look and prevents degradation over years of weather exposure. Coil covering also provide scratch and impact resistance.

Automotive

Exterior auto body panels, wheels, trim components and more utilize coil coated steel and aluminum. The finishes ensure protection against corrosion, stonechips and provide an aesthetically appealing look that withstands washing, waxing and environmental stresses over the life of the vehicle.

HVAC Equipment

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment like ductwork, grilles and casings employ Coil Coatings covering for their superior adhesion and UV resistance properties. This protects the metal enclosures from degradation caused by temperature fluctuations, moisture and sunlight.

Types of Coil covering

Polyester

Polyester coatings are widely used for their versatility, durability and cost-effectiveness. Offering Gloss and SEMI-Gloss finishes, they withstand weathering for years. However, polyester coatings have lower flexibility and scratch resistance than other options.

Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)

PVDF resin based coatings produce a smoother, more resistant finish compared to polyester. They offer excellent color and gloss retention even after years of exposure to harsh climates. However, the increased performance comes at a higher price point.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane coatings deliver superior flexibility, impact resistance and UV protection. They are suitable for demanding applications where dent and chip resistance is important. However, increased flexibility may reduce longevity under extreme weathering compared to fluoropolymer coatings.

Silicone Modified Polyester

The siloxane modification enhances the weatherability, flexibility and durable performance of polyester coatings. Though more expensive than regular polyester, silicone polyesters maintain gloss and color better in applications like kitchen appliances facing temperature fluctuations and moisture.

Fluoropolymer (FEVE/PVDF)

FEVE and PVDF based fluoropolymer coatings represent the premium segment offering the best protection against UV, corrosion, chemicals, abrasion and weathering stresses. They are suitable for architectural panels and other long life applications requiring 50 years of gloss and color retention.

Quality is Key

For coil coaters and metal finishing companies, quality control is of immense importance. Even minor defects in pretreatment, application or curing can negatively impact the durability and performance of coil coated products. Rigorous testing ensures coatings meet specifications for adhesion, gloss, impact resistance, humidity resistance and other key parameters. Certifications like AAMA 2605 help customers identify suppliers with proven quality management systems.

as durable and long-lasting metal finishing solutions, coil covering will continue evolving to meet the growing demand from construction, infrastructure development, equipment manufacturing and various other mass production industries worldwide. New resin technologies will enhance coatings' self-cleaning, antimicrobial, insulation and low maintenance properties to offer further sustainability and life cycle benefits.

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About Author:

Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)