Application Guide Powder Coatings for Hot-Dipped Galvanized Steel

Application Guide Powder Coatings on Hot-Dipped Galvanized

Introduction
This application guideline is a recommendation on effective application of powder coatings on hotdipped galvanized substrate.

General
There are two significant problems associated with the use of polyester powders on hot dip galvanized products. These are: - Adhesion of the coating to the galvanized surface: - pin holing of the cured coating. The critical points that must be controlled are: 1. 2. 3. 4. Adhesion Pinholing Chemical pre-treament Curing

A review of each step follows.

1. Adhesion
When steel is hot dip galvanized, it is degreased in a hot caustic bath, pickled in hydrochloric acid to remove oxides, fluxed in a zinc ammonium chloride solution and then galvanized by immersing the work in molten zinc at 455C. The zinc reacts with the steel at that temperature to form the galvanized coating, which is typically 80-100 microns in thickness and consists of a series of crystalline zinc-iron alloy layers comprising typically 80% of the coating thickness, coated with a layer of zinc,making up the balance of the coating. Depending on the metallurgy of the steel and the galvanizing bath conditions, the galvanized coating is sometimes made up entirely of alloy layer with no free zinc layer. These coatings are typically dull gray and tend to be thicker than standard galvanized coatings. After galvanizing, the work is generally quenched in water containing a low percentage, typically less than 0.25%, of sodium dichromate. The dichromate solution applies a passivation film to the surface of the zinc that inhibits the zincs reaction with atmospheric moisture prior to the formation of the basic carbonate films that give zinc its outstanding corrosion resistance in atmospheric exposure conditions.

Powder Coatings on Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel

Application Guide Powder Coatings for Hot-Dipped Galvanized Steel

The presence of a passivating film on the surface of the galvanized coating will interfere with the zinc phosphate or iron phosphate pretreatment, and in many cases, render these pre-treatments ineffective. It is essential that hot dip galvanized items are not quenched after galvanizing. This ensures that the zinc surface is in a highly reactive state to accept the pretreatment applied in the powder coating process.

2. Pinholing
The phenomenon of pinholing in polyester powders applied over hot dip galvanized surfaces has been identified as the most serious problem associated with coating integrity. Pinholing is caused by the formation of small gas bubbles in the polyester coating during the stoving/curing cycle. These bubbles form small craters on the surface and are unsightly. They also produce holidays in the coating that reduce its long term durability, particularly in aggressive (marine) environments. Causes of pin holing: a. Hot dip galvanized sections are generally heavier than those typically powder coated. The greater section mass delays uniform fusion of the coating, entrapping air in the lower level of the coating. b. The thicker phosphate films formed, on the highly reactive hot dip galvanized zinc surface, may release water of crystallization as curing temperatures are approached that give rise to water vapor becoming entrapped in the paint film. c. The high reflectivity and lower emissivity of the galvanized surface, coupled with the generally heavier section thickness of the steel used delays heat absorption by the steel. Pin holing can be controlled by: - pre-heating the work prior to applying powder; - use of `degassing grades of polyester powder. Elements of each of these factors may contribute to the pin holing phenomenon, and it should be noted that the pre-heating of the work to higher than normal temperatures prior to powder application would contribute beneficially to reducing the effects of each of these factors. It is very difficult for any applied coating less than 100 microns in thickness, applied in a single coat, to be free of holidays in the coating. While galvanized substrates supply a high level of corrosion resistance in their own right, and will generate stable corrosion products that will usually seal any pinholes in the coating, the presence of chlorides will result in excessive leaching of the oxides. For this reason, single-coat polyester coatings are not recommended in marine environments, and two-coat systems are now available that offer exceptional performance where high levels of airborne chlorides are present. These systems consist of an epoxy based primer coat over the hot dip galvanized surface, followed by a polyester top-coat.

Powder Coatings on Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel

Application Guide Powder Coatings for Hot-Dipped Galvanized Steel

3. Chemical Pre-treatment
Zinc phosphate conversion coatings have been the preferred pre-treatment over hot dip galvanized surfaces producing a fine grained crystalline zinc phosphate at coating weights of 1-2 g/m2. More recently, chrome phosphate has been found to provide superior performance in highdurability applications. Control of zinc phosphate coating mass is important in achieving good adhesion. With batch pretreatment processes, extended residence time in the zinc phosphate may result in coating weights exceeding 4g/m2. At this coating mass, adhesion problems can arise because of the inherent weakness of the thicker phosphate film. The use of alkaline degreasing operations on galvanized product prior to phosphating must be carefully controlled because of the risk of attack on the zinc by the alkali. In continuous process operations, the residence time in the phosphate pre-treatment can be controlled by the line speed, and better control of the phosphate coating is possible. The temperature and concentration of the pre-treatment chemicals can also be modified to match line speed requirements. Iron phosphate is commonly used to pre-treat pre-galvanized products and this is usually applied at iron phosphate concentrations of 0.3-1.0 g/m2. A number of pre-galvanized products, particularly hollow sections, have a clear polymer coating applied over the galvanized coating by the manufacturer, and this will influence the type of pre-treatment best suited for this type of product. Thermal (Dry-off) Pre-treatment Following phosphating, it is normal procedure to pass the work through a dry-off facility to remove residual moisture from the work prior to powder application. Trials showed that conventional powder coating plant dry-off facilities operated at too low a temperature, and a dry off oven capable delivering enough heat is required, with an optimum achieved work piece temperature of 140C. At surface temperatures over 140C, the phosphate coating may break down. Heavier sections with more mass require higher pre-heat oven temperatures to obtain optimum surface temperatures.

4. Curing
The introduction of hot dip galvanized products, which in general are fabricated from heavier sections, requires considerable attention to the curing phase of the process to ensure that the powder is fully cured. lt is the surface temperature of the steel that determines the curing of the polyester powder, not the air temperature inside the oven. While the coating may appear normal on exiting the oven, it will not have achieved its design properties if the time-at-temperature requirements have not been met. Simple solvent testing procedures will quickly determine whether the coating has been fully cured. With curing ovens using radiant heaters for curing, care must be taken to ensure that effective curing is being obtained, especially on white or pale coloured coatings which have high reflectivity and may delay heat transfer to the steel substrate.

The following specification/process is highly recommended:

Powder Coatings on Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel

Application Guide Powder Coatings for Hot-Dipped Galvanized Steel

1. 2. 3. 4.

5.

6.

7. 8. 9. 10.

Hot dip galvanize without water quench containing sodium dichromate (no passivation film). Remove all drainage spikes and surface defects Keep the surface clean. Do not transport uncovered loads. Diesel fumes will contaminate surface. If surface contamination has occurred or is suspected, clean surface with proprietary solvent/detergent designed for pre-cleaning prior to powder coating. Use chrome (preferred) or zinc phosphate pretreatment if highest adhesion is required. Surface must be perfectly clean. Zinc phosphate has no detergent action and will not remove oil or soil. Use iron phosphate if standard performance is required. Iron phosphate has a slight detergent action and will remove small amounts of surface contamination. Best used for pre-galvanized products Pre-heat work prior to powder application and use degassing polyester powder. Powder coat with within 12 hours of galvanizing. Do not get surfaces wet. Do not leave outside. Use 'degassing' grade polyester powder only Check for correct curing by solvent testing. Adjust pre-heat and line speed to ensure full cure.

Note: The information on this Application Guide is given to the best of the manufacturers knowledge, based on laboratory testing and practical experience. Jotun Powder Coatings reserves the right, without notice, to alter or change the content of this Application Guide. This Application Guide supersedes all previously issued versions. Jotun Powder Coatings 2012. All rights reserved.

Powder Coatings on Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel