Mechanical strength and wear resistance of protective coatings applied by fluidized bed (FB)

This study deals with the interrelation between the thermo-rheological behaviour of an epoxy-based powder coating system and its mechanical strength and wear endurance. Matte-finish protective polymeric films deposited by electrostatic fluidized bed (EFB) and conventional hot dipping fluidized bed (CHDFB) on metal substrates were examined. First, the analysis of thermo-rheological behaviour of the epoxy-based powder coating system was detailed. Secondly, the adhesion strength and wear endurance of polymeric films was related to the thermo-rheological behaviour of the starting material formulation. Finally, based on the experimental data, generalized scratch and wear map, in which the overall mechanical performance of the matte-finish polymeric films at different curing levels is reported, was usefully provided. The experimental findings lead to further advances in the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the establishment of the overall mechanical performances of fluidized bed (FB) deposited polymeric films. They also provide important indications for the settings of curing parameters or preheating temperatures in FB coating processes as well as for the development of new powder coating formulations. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.