RAL1000 green beige electrostatic thermoset powder coating for outdoor metal iron

RAL1000 green beige electrostatic thermoset powder coating for outdoor metal iron

We all know that thermoset is the most common powder coating considered to be thin but hard.

Thermoset powder coating and thermoplastic powders, they have different features to suit different applications. Here we list a detail comparison that may help you know more about these two powder coatings.

Structure
Thermoplastic powder coating features longer chain molecules; in contrast, thermoset powder coating starts with short molecules which are cross-linked together during the curing process to form a permanent matrix based on an irreversible chemical reaction. And the structure differences determine the different properties of these two powder coatings.

Weight
Most thermoplastic powder coatings are in lighter weight so that fewer pounds of thermoplastic powders are used to achieve the same thickness of thermoset coating.

Thickness
Generally, thermoset powder coating is considered as a thin, rigid and tightly cross-linked coating; while thermoplastic powder coating is thicker than thermoset - about 8 mils to 100 mils in thickness for specific requirements.

Flexibility & impact resistance
High hardness enables the thermoset powder coating extremely resistant against scratch and mar. Thermoplastic type is more closely associated with plastic film featuring high flexibility, ductility and high percent elongation which impart high impact resistance to the coating, yet lower scratch and mar resistance. But our Adherest polyethylene powder coating breaks this limitation - that is because its high adhesion ensures the coating tightly adheres to the parts regardless of the rough scratch and mar.

Recyclability
Both thermoplastic and thermoset powder coatings are dry particulates that will melt and flow to from a smooth coating. However, thermoplastic powder coating is recyclable as they will soften and flow again if reheated at a temperature about 300°F. And thermoset powder coating is irreversible after the initial cure and cooling. Thus, they are not recyclable.