Faraday Cage in Powder Coating Applications

electrostatic-powder-coating

One of the problems often encountered in electrostatic powder coating applications is the Faraday cage. It is the volume that acts as an electric curtain, deflecting charged paint particles in complex areas of the part, such as corners, and often occurs, for example, in folded sheets, corners of metal boxes, etc. This effect occurs when we find corners walled at 90º. The presence of these corners creates an electromagnetic field that prevents the powder coating from settling properly.

 

 

What is Faraday Cage in Powder Coating Applications?

 

Powder coating users often encounter various disadvantages during coating application. Some require the paint to be adapted to the characteristics of the installation and others are caused by electrical phenomena that are difficult to control. Even with a good spray gun, problems can occur if proper precautions are not taken.

Among electrical charge problems, lack of charge, back ionization and the Faraday Cage effect stand out. The latter is common, but can be avoided. The problem occurs because the electric field lines do not penetrate sufficiently into the more hollow areas and do not guide the electrostatically charged paint particles towards the parts. If there is a problem reaching some corners, holes or gaps, it is because we realize that the powder is not penetrating the parts sufficiently. In some cases it is advisable to use a spray gun to overcome the Faraday cage as it reduces the tension.

The Faraday Cage occurs because the electric field lines that guide the electrostatically charged paint particles towards the object do not penetrate sufficiently into the most empty spaces. When there are problems reaching certain holes, corners or gaps, it is because the powder does not penetrate the part sufficiently and sometimes it is advisable to use corona electrostatic guns by reducing the voltage to overcome the Faraday cage.

 

 

Why Does Faraday Cage Occur in Powder Coating Applications?

 

Although coating processes are based on the laws of physics, certain forces can inhibit product transfer and uniform coating coverage. For example, negatively charged particles are attracted to the nearest grounded surface, which has the advantage of both drawing the coating to the edges of a part and reducing overspray. However, the same tendency can make it difficult to properly coat the deep, recessed areas commonly seen in aluminum extrusion profiles. Particles are attracted to the protruding edges of the profile, experiencing what is known as the Faraday cage effect. The causes of Faraday cage can be listed as follows:

 

  • Weak landing.
  • Low powder feed.
  • Excessive voltages.
  • Unsuitable application molds.
  • Low or high paint feed rate.
  • Incorrect positioning of the spray gun.

Reducing the spray pattern can direct the ionization field towards the recessed area. If a part is sprayed manually, the technician can focus on that work item. The gun target distance should be kept between 20 and 30 cm from the part being coated. As the distance decreases, the operator needs to reduce the liquid or air pressure (or in some cases both) to avoid applying too much coating. In addition, lowering a gun's voltage allows more of the coating to pass through the outermost edges and undercut regions of the extrusion. For optimum performance, the gun voltage should be between 50 and 70 kV.

Another consideration is the size of the coating particles. The amount of charge carried by a particle is directly related to its surface area. Powder coatings must have the right ratio of large to small particles for optimum transfer efficiency. If the powdered paint is recycled and reused, a calculated proportion of virgin powder paint must be added to the hopper to maintain the specified average particle size balance. Monitoring this balance is extremely important.

 

 

How to Avoid Faraday Cage in Powder Coating Applications?

 

Faraday cage can be prevented by paying attention to some details in electrostatic powder coating applications. You should make sure that the equipment used such as nozzles, deflectors and guns are suitable for the process. You should check all equipment. What you need to do to prevent Faraday cage:

 

  • Increase powder feed.
  • Check the landing.
  • Adjust the spray pattern and try different gun tip choices.
  • educe the voltage when applying to the parts closest to the gun so that it does not push powder from the corners.
  • Reduce or increase the intensity of the air flow.
  • Adjust the position of the guns according to the problem areas.
Labels: electrostatic powder coating
April 11, 2023
Return to List
cultureSettings.RegionId: 0 cultureSettings.LanguageCode: EN
Çerez Kullanımı

Sizlere en iyi alışveriş deneyimini sunabilmek adına sitemizde çerezler(cookies) kullanmaktayız. Detaylı bilgi için Kvkk sözleşmesini inceleyebilirsiniz.