QUALICOAT UK & IRELAND
being met . Licensed coaters who fail these inspections , will lose their licences .
So the best written specification for any powder coating should simply be ‘ coated by a QUALICOAT licensed applicator ’. Known across the globe , the standard can be achieved on any continent .
Failures in powder coating falls into two broad categories , that of a complete failure of the coating where it simply peels off and something called ‘ filigree corrosion ’ where oxidisation can form at a cut or punched hole in the aluminium and looks like strands of corrosion under the surface of the coating . Often this failure is seen several years after installation and clearly shows a poor pretreatment during the powder coating process .
Other problems with powder coating can include fading of colour , loss of gloss and ‘ chalking ' of the surface finish . The first two are generally a normal ageing process and the powder coating should still adhere fully to the aluminium and continue to protect the aluminium . Often happening over 20 years or so , this ageing can be reduced by specifying a more robust class of powder such as a QUALICOAT Class 2 . The latter , ‘ chalking ’, is also part of the ageing process and looks like there is a dusking of chalk on the coated surface , this only forms when the finish is neglected and not cleaned down to an agreed cleaning regime . Often chalking can be removed by simply cleaning the finish over a period of time .
How to avoid these failures ? Ensure that the powder coater has the necessary pretreatment systems in place and that they can demonstrate that the coat and test to BS EN 12206 . Alternatively , insist on a specification that coating must be applied by a QUALICOAT licensed applicator . In the UK , the majority of architectural powder coaters are QUALICOAT licence holders . If you are proposing to approve an architectural coater who powder coats to BS EN 12206 , be more vigilant to ensure the process is being maintained .
Should the finish require a longer life expectancy , possibly where access could be difficult , then a Class 2 , more robust powder can be specified . The most important aspect to specification is the involvement of a specialist coater at the early design stages of any project . All QUALICOAT members in the UK are available to advise and can be found on the associations website .
Copies of the sixteenth edition of the QUALICOAT Standard , complete with the amended updates , are available through the UK Association website , www . qualicoatuki . org together with an up-to-date list of licensed UK and Ireland Powder Suppliers , Pretreatment Suppliers and Applicators . Printed literature and telephone support is available from QUALICOAT UK & Ireland Head Office in Birmingham on 0330 236 2800 or email enquiries @ qualicoatuki . org . The Association can also be followed on Twitter @ Qualicoatuki