On Sat, 12 Sep 1998, Alan Myers wrote:
> Now for a completely unrelated, kinda dumb question... does anyone know
> if it is possible to powder coat aluminum? My understanding of the
> process was that the powder is charged either positive or negative, the
> piece being paint is charged the opposite, powder is applied with the
> charge causing powder to cling to the piece, then the whole thing is
> baked in an oven to cure the finish and meld the powder. Since aluminum
> is non-magnetic, would it take the necessary charge?
The act of "charging" a given object, in this case, is not like charging a
battery. It's a static charge.
When you rub a balloon in your hair, it becomes charged with static
electricity. Then it will stick to things (like walls)
I think the only catch with powder-coating aluminum is that it might melt
if the oven gets too hot. It shouldn't.
When the powder is ejected from a gun, the friction between the plastic
powder and the metal gun creates a static charge. I'm not sure what kind-
but either the powder sheds electrons, or it collects them.
Probably the best way to get a "yes/no" answer would be to call up the
shop that does powdercoating and ask 'em.
-Malcolm
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