What is polymerization? – Just about complicated

Wikipedia gives the following definition of this concept:

“Polymerization is a process of reacting monomer molecules together in a chemical reaction to form polymer chains or three-dimensional networks.“

It is very difficult and completely incomprehensible. But in simple words it is the process of powder paint curing.

Powder particles melt under the temperature influence, transform into a viscous mass, which forms a solid film. Air is forced out of the paint. The film penetrates the surface of the material from which the painted product is made and hardens.

Polymerization process

Polymerization should be as efficient as possible and keep the powder coating quality during processing. Indeed, until complete hardening, it is still sensitive to any influences.

It is necessary to heat the product with paint to a certain temperature for a while to polymerize the coating. The layer of powder should be heated to the established temperature as quickly as possible. That is the only way how melted paint particles can reach the minimum viscosity and keep spreadability.

If the coating is heated slowly the particles will begin to harden before they have spread over the product sufficiently and the coating will be uneven.

Required temperature for paint polymerization is 110 – 250°C. As a rule, the polymerization time ranges from 5 to 30 minutes.

Polymerization is influenced by the time and painted products’ shape. For everything to go right, you need to warm it up to the maximum temperature swiftly. The required paint polymerization time directly depends on the thickness and shape of the materials.

Powder coating cures in a special polymerization oven. There are several varieties of this device. They are designed to make the process easy, fast and efficient.

Polymerization oven

The polymerization oven is equipped with special lamps which occurs polymerization. Those might be a thermoblock or quartz lamps. The oven is powered by gas, diesel or electricity.

They can be tunnel or box designed. Tunnel ones are an option for automatic lines and box ones are suitable for manual coloration.

The most important thing about an oven is the ability to archive the required temperature as quickly as possible. As a rule, all ovens are thermally insulated. Thanks to this, they remain hot inside for a long time.

It’s worth choosing a oven based on the needs and characteristics of a particular production.