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Bonded
and Unbonded Powders
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Bonded
and non-bonded are terms usually used when referring to metallic
powders. All metallics used to be non-bonded, which meant
that a powder base coat was manufactured and then the metal flake
was mixed with the powder to create a metallic.
In bonded powders, the base coat is still manufactured separately,
then the powder base coat and the metallic pigment are placed in
a heated mixer and heated just enough to soften the powder. As the
powder is mixed the metallic pigment "bonds" to the powder particle,
hence the phrase bonded.
Here is the big difference between bonded and non-bonded powders:
imagine the metal flake as a corn flake shaped object. In
non-bonded, the electrostatics of the gun make the metal flake either
stand on it's side (as opposed to laying flat) or it makes the metal
flakes "bunch" together. You part will end up with alot of
different shades (some flakes on edge and some flat), or with alot
of metallic in one area and none in another area. Bonded metallics
don't allow this to happen.
You are now asking "why would anyone ever use non-bonded?" and "how
can I tell if my powder is bonded or not". The only reason
anyone uses non-bonded is because they are much cheaper. Powder
manufacturers generally aren't creating new, non-bonded formulations,
but they have several stock colors that they may continue to make
that way because customers continue to buy them (some customers
never figure out the difference...i.e., they may have a part too
small to notice the inconsistencies). However, a few manufacturers
might still be developing non-bonded powders due to the fact that
not all of the effects required by their customers are possible
by bonding.
If
you need to know if a powder is bonded, simply call the manufacturer.
They can tell you. If the person on the phone won't answer
the question, MAKE THEM put you through to a lab tech who can.
Joey
R. Golliver
Operations
Manager
Powder-X
Coating Systems |
