Hey there! Ever wondered how to give your products a super durable and sleek finish?
Let me introduce you to nylon(Polyamide) powder coating.
This method is fantastic for protecting and beautifying all sorts of items.
In this article, I’ll walk you through what nylon powder coating is, how it’s applied, its pros and cons, and some handy tips.
Let’s dive in!
What is Nylon Powder Coating?
Nylon powder coating is a process where nylon, also known as polyamide, is applied as a coating to surfaces to provide protection and aesthetic appeal.
This coating is tough, wear-resistant, and gives a smooth finish.
It’s popular in many industries, including automotive, electronics, and home appliances, because it’s so versatile and long-lasting.
Coating Methods for Nylon Powder Coating
Electrostatic Powder Spraying
Electrostatic powder spraying is one of the most common methods for applying nylon powder coating.
In this method, the nylon powder gets an electrostatic charge and is sprayed onto a grounded surface.
The charged powder sticks to the surface and is then heated, creating a smooth, even coat.
It’s a highly efficient method and results in a high-quality finish.
Fluidized Bed Coating
Here, the item to be coated is heated and dipped into a bed of fluidized nylon powder.
The heat makes the powder melt and stick to the item.
This method is great for coating items with complex shapes and provides a thick, uniform layer of protection.
Flame Spraying
This involves feeding nylon powder into a flame and spraying it onto the surface.
The flame melts the powder, which then adheres to the item.
This versatile method works well on various materials, including metals and plastics, and is perfect for heavy-duty applications.
Advantages of Nylon Powder Coating
Nylon powder coating has a lot of benefits:
- Versatility: It can be applied using different methods because of the wide temperature range between melting and decomposition.
- Durability: The coating is strong, impact-resistant, and flexible.
- Low Friction: It has a low static and dynamic friction, making it wear-resistant and lubricating.
- Smooth Finish: The coating is smooth to the touch and easy to process.
- Corrosion Resistance: It resists water, saltwater, salt spray, and boiling water.
- Weather Resistance: It can withstand outdoor exposure for up to seven years and 2000 hours of artificial aging.
- Non-Toxic: The powder and the final coating are non-toxic and odorless.
Disadvantages of Nylon Powder Coating
But, there are some downsides too:
- Moisture Sensitivity: The powder absorbs moisture easily and must be stored sealed. It’s not suitable for humid and hot conditions.
- Application Limits: During electrostatic spraying, the voltage should stay below 45kV, and the air pressure shouldn’t be too high.
- Chemical Resistance: The coating isn’t resistant to strong acids and bases.
- Edge Coverage: It may not cover edges well or stick properly.
Performance Comparison of Various Nylon Resins
| Project | Nylon 6 | Nylon 66 | Nylon 610 | Nylon 11 | Nylon 12 | Nylon 1010 | Transparent Nylon |
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.13 | 1.14 | 1.08 | 1.04 | 1.02 | 1.05 | 1.12 |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 65 | 80 | 60 | 70 | 54 | 55 | 60 |
| Elongation (%) | ≥30 | 60-200 | 100-240 | 230 | 240 | 100 | – |
| Bending Strength (MPa) | 90 | 100 | 90 | 53 | 70 | 70 | 125 |
| Impact Strength (kJ/m²) | 60 | 250 | Unbroken | ||||
| Water Absorption (%50RH) | 2.7 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.8 | |
| Water Absorption (Saturated) | 9.5 | 9.0 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 2.0 | |
| Water Absorption Dimensional Change (%) | 3.0 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.45 | |
| Bending Modulus (Dry) (MPa) | 2.7 x 10³ | 2.8 x 10³ | 2.0 x 10³ | ||||
| Bending Modulus (50%RH) (MPa) | 9.8 x 10² | 1.2 x 10³ | 1.1 x 10³ | ||||
| Bending Modulus (Water) (MPa) | 4.9 x 10² | 6.0 x 10² | 7.0 x 10² | ||||
| Melting Point (°C) | 215 | 250 | 210 | 185 | 175 | 200 | 165 |
| Short-Term Maximum Temperature (°C) | 160 | 120 | 120 | 165 | |||
| Linear Thermal Expansion Coefficient (x10⁻⁵/°C) | 7 | 9 | 9.9 | 15 | 10.4 | 14 | 6 |
Nylon Coating Applications
Nylon powder coating is used in many ways:
- Equipment Parts: Bearings, gears, and printing rollers in textile machines.
- Home Appliances: Parts in washing machines and battery covers for aviation machinery.
- Food Processing: Equipment and utensils, thanks to its non-toxic and non-corrosive properties.
- Noise Reduction: Steering wheels and sound-dampening parts in vehicles.
- Electrical Insulation: For heat-resistant and electrically insulating applications.
Tips When Applying Nylon Powder Coating
Here are some tips to get the best results:
- Matte Finish: For a low-gloss finish (60-degree gloss between 5% and 50%), let the coated object cool slowly in the air after melting and leveling.
- Glossy Finish: For a high-gloss finish (60-degree gloss between 60% and 90%), quickly cool the object in water below 100°C after melting and leveling. You can immerse it in water or use pressurized spray cooling.
Nylon Coating Performance Characteristics
| Project | Performance |
| Single Coating Thickness (μm) | 100-300 |
| 60° Gloss (%) | 5-90 |
| Flexibility (mm) | 3 |
| Impact Strength Φ0.5in(1.27cm) x 500g(N·cm) | 490 |
| Adhesion (Cross-Cut Test, 2mm) | 100/100 |
| Cup Test (mm) | 10 |
| Hardness (Pencil Hardness) | 2B-2H |
| Hardness (Shore Hardness) | 75 |
| Tensile Strength (ASTM D 638) (MPa) | 68.64-88.25 |
| Elongation (ASTM D 638) (%) | 200-400 |
| Boiling Water Resistance (h) | ＞30 |
| Acetic Acid Resistance (5%, 1a) | Good |
| Salt Spray Resistance (JIC Z 2371, 1000h) | Good |
| Nitric Acid Resistance (3%, 1a) | Good |
| Sulfuric Acid Resistance (5%, 1a) | Good |
| Hydrochloric Acid Resistance (5%, 1a) | Good |
| Sodium Hydroxide Resistance (10%, 1a) | Good |
| Abrasion Resistance (Tabers CS-17, 1000 cycles) (mg) | 1-5 |
| Low Temperature Resistance (-30°C x 400h) | Good |
| Lowest Usage Temperature (°C) | -50 |
| Flammability (ASTM D 635) | Slow Burning |
| Thermal Resistance (Continuous Usage Temperature) (°C) | 80 |
| Highest Usage Temperature (°C) | 100~130 |
| Water Absorption (ASTM D 570) (%) | ＜0.01 |
| Volume Resistivity(ASTM D 257, 50%RH, 23°C) (Ω·cm) | 1 x 10¹⁶ |
| Dielectric Constant (ASTM D 150, 1000Hz, 23°C) | 3.6 |
| Water Resistance (40°C x 2000h) | Good |
| Ammonia Resistance (5%, 3 months) | Good |
| Fuel Oil Resistance (30 days) | Good |
| Trichloroethane Resistance (1a) | Good |
| Benzene Resistance (30 days) | Poor |
| Carbon Tetrachloride Resistance | Poor |
| Natural Gasoline Resistance (2a) | No Cracking, No Peeling |
| Stain Resistance (Turmeric, Tea, Lipstick, Crayon) | Poor |
Summary
Nylon powder coating is a great way to protect and beautify your products.
It’s versatile, durable, and offers many benefits.
Just be aware of its limitations and handle it correctly for the best results.
If you need to buy powder coating equipment or have any questions, feel free to reach out to us.
We’re here to help!
