What is coil coating? Coil coating is the industrial process of efficiently coating metals and applying an organic coating material on rolled metal strip substrates.
The process has been around for quite some time. The first coil coating is thought to have started in the 1930s, progressing to what it is currently. The coil coating process is best described as that of printing papers as it never stops. Coil coating has several applications
and is commonly used in the manufacturing industry. Let us brush over some of the steps of coil coating and how it works.
How does it work?
The process starts with unwinding the coil. Subsequently, it moves to chemical pretreatment. Then, the application of the liquid powders and coating oils, which are laminated on the covers. The process is usually repetitive for every coating line ranging from the oldest to the newest. The basic process of coil coating is that the materials go through the same process repeatedly without having to stop.
The entry
The metal is placed on the coiler with the front end, which will link to the backend of the coil. After this, joining takes place mechanically. The process is both low cost and maintenance. The bond provided is strong enough to stitch together and has a firm ending. It can either be done through mechanical means or, at times, through adhesive welding.
The cleaning step
It is a crucial step before coil coating is done. Impurities have to be removed. The impurities can consist of grease, carbon, or other materials considered as impurities. Different materials may require different cleaning agents. For zinc and steel coated substrates, alkaline cleaners are the most preferred for cleaning. The electrolytic cleaning is the standard choice for cleaning aluminium.
The pretreatment step
The pretreatment process is a step that cannot be ignored to ensure a good coating and adhering process. It can be applied or by immersion, depending on the individual applying the coating. Additionally, it is required that there re-dried using an oven or the heat contained in the metal substrates. The two most sought-after substrates are the HDG and GLUM. Once the process is over, one can move to the next stage, the primer and finishing coat application. Different general coating lines exist.
The key coating types
Different coil coating services are available they include liquid paints and powder coatings. The liquid paints are preferred due to their easy application as it offers a uniform finish once the process is complete. The flexibility is top-notch as this metal is bent without breaking. The powder coatings can be used either through spraying or electrostatic.
Final thoughts
Coil coating is widely used in industrial manufacturing because it has several benefits in the construction sector. It is used for roofing, exterior panels, and garage doors. Another everyday use is the entry doors and roof decks. In addition, it has been used in the transportation sector to make accessories such as brakes, the interior, exterior, engine components, trucks. Additionally, it is used in signs and displays, containers such as barrels and cans. It is widely used and accepted because of the product’s durability, reliability, and recyclability. The adoption of coil coating is the way to go.
