What Is Powder Coating?

Metal is a tough material – but it isn’t invulnerable. So when you’re looking for a handrail that exhibits durability and endurance, it is vital that you consider the matter of finish. For example, you may wish to explore the qualities and benefits of powder coating. What is powder coating? And why is it a popular finishing choice among manufacturers and consumers who value quality, resilience, and ease of use?

What Is Powder Coating?

What is powder coating? It’s a finish. Like traditional paint, it can be used to add decorative colors or textures in a wide array of colors and styles, and it provides a protective layer that shields the material beneath it from destructive forces like moisture, scratches, and knocks. Unlike regular liquid paint, it goes on dry. What is powder coating used for? If you look around, you’ll find that powder coating is used on everything from handrails and lawn furniture to automotive parts, bicycle frames, football helmets, and fire extinguishers.

How Powder Coating Works

During the process of powder coating a product, a dry powder that contains pigments, polymer resins, curatives, leveling agents, flow modifiers, and other additives is applied to a metal surface through a process called electrostatic spray deposition. Basically, after the surface is prepped, a special spray gun capable of applying an electrostatic charge to the powder is used to spread the coating over the desired item. Once properly coated, the piece is carefully shifted to a curing oven where heat is used to trigger a chemical reaction, melting the powder and transforming it into a smooth, hard coating.

The Benefits of Power Coating

What makes power coating such a popular choice? This type of finish offers numerous benefits, including all of the following:

• Choice: Functional doesn’t have to be boring, and powder coating is proof of that. Varying the pigment in the powder produces an astounding array of colors, and while the standard finish tends to be smooth, it is possible to achieve a wide range of textures. Powder coating can also be applied in multiple coats, which further expands the aesthetic possibilities. Ultimately, you can achieve a functional finish that suits virtually any style.
• Eco-Friendliness: While it is available in a multitude of hues, powder coating is undeniably green. For starters, there is much less waste with powder coating. The application method produces far less overspray than traditional painting techniques, and that overspray isn’t necessarily lost like it would be with conventional paints. Because the powder is dry, much of the overspray can be recovered. In addition, the powder used in powder coating doesn’t contain many of the harsh chemicals used in traditional paints like solvents and volatile organic compounds. When there is waste to be disposed of, it can simply be sent to the landfill. There is no hazardous waste requiring special disposal.
• Durability: While the aesthetic benefits of a finish are important, there’s no point in applying a beautiful coating that won’t last. Powder coating does an excellent job of standing up to whatever you throw at it. It produces a finish that is both harder and more flexible than traditional paint. In addition, it results in a coating that is significantly thicker. Conventional painting techniques tend to produce a finish that is between 0.05 mils and 1 mil thick. When power coating is used for a decorative application, it produces a finish of 2 mils to 6 mils. When the need for functionality is the priority, a thickness of 6 mils to 12 mils is utilized. Although the differences in hardness, flexibility, and thickness may be invisible to the naked eye, they generate extra protection for the core material by providing a finish that is better able to withstand the elements, resist rust, and repel nicks, dings, chips, and scratches. Ultimately, this means more durability and less maintenance, a combination that is understandably appealing to consumers.

Powder-Coated Aluminum Handrails

So what is powder coating? It’s an exceptionally resilient and beautiful finishing product.

When you install a handrail, you want visual appeal, durability, and safety, and powder-coated aluminum handrails excel at providing all three. With so many combinations of styles, shapes, sizes, colors, and finishes to choose from, it’s easy to find a powder-coated aluminum handrail that suits your decor. Powder-coated aluminum also does an exceptional job of withstanding the elements. With handrails made from other materials, you often have to worry that rot or rust will mar the handrail’s appearance or eat away at its stability. Powder-coated aluminum handrails deliver impressive durability, so very little maintenance is required to keep them looking fantastic and functioning effectively. You can feel confident that the handrail will be there to offer a solid hold whenever it is needed.

If you’re searching for a top-quality aluminum handrail, then you’ve come to the right place. At Aluminum Handrail Direct, our sturdy and stylish powder-coated aluminum handrails will deliver the look that you want and the reliability that you deserve. Our attractive, maintenance-free aluminum handrails are finished with a durable powder coating in a wide range of colors. Are you worried about small nicks or scratches marring your handrail? There’s no need. We also offer suitable touch-up kits: a pen/bottle, a spray paint kit, and a three-part kit. View our amazing selection today in our online store, and explore our full range of products to find the perfect handrail for your project.