In its simplest form, a fluidized bed powder coating consists of dipping a hot part into a bed of powder.This process allows the powder to melt on the part and build a film, creating a continuous coating.
The fluidized bed process is typically used to achieve a coating between 10 – 15 mils DFT with the final thickness dependent upon part temperature and dip time in the powder. However, coatings as high as 100 mils can be applied using multiple heating and dipping cycles. The fluidized bed process requires part pre-heat temperatures of at least 350°F and may require a post-heat or cure cycle.
Typical uses include:
- Coating objects with a high surface to mass ratio, such as fabricated wires
- Buss bars
- Metal furniture
- Uniform coating
- Product reliability
- Thick coatings
- Complex parts have 100% coverage
- Good edge coverage
- Good process control
- Pre-heat and post-heat ovens required
- Large, heavy parts must be manipulated into bed
- Thinner substrates do not hold head, difficult to coat
- Complex shapes trap excess powder
- Minimum of 8 mils to be applied
For more information on fluidized bed or other powder coating methods, please see or download our powder coating technical guide on our website.