Electrostatic spray

Low viscosity cellulose propionate butyrate esters containing 3—5% butyryl, 40—50% propionyl, and 2—3% hydroxyl groups have excellent compatibihty with oil-modified alkyd resins (qv) and are used in wood furniture coatings (155). Acetate butyrate esters have been used in such varied apphcations as hot-melt adhesive formulations (156), electrostatically spray-coated powders for fusible, non-cratering coatings on metal surfaces (157—159), contact lenses (qv) with improved oxygen permeabiUty and excellent wear characteristics (160—162), and as reverse-osmosis membranes for desalination of water (163). 

The volume of thermosetting powders sold exceeds that of thermoplastics by a wide margin. Thermoplastic resins are almost synonymous with fluidized-bed appHed thick-film functional coatings whereas thermosetting powders are used almost exclusively in electrostatic spray processes and appHed as thin-film decorative coatings. 

Almost all PVC powder coatings are appHed by the fluidized-bed coating process. Although some electrostatic spray-grade formulations are available, they are very erratic in their appHcation characteristics. The resistivity of plasticized PVC powders is low compared to other powder coating materials and the appHed powder quickly loses its electrostatic charge. For the same reason, PVC powders show poor appHcation characteristics in an electrostatic fluidized bed and are seldom used in this process. 

Nylon coating powders are available for electrostatic spray and fluidized-bed appHcation. Nylon coatings are very tough, resistant to scratching and... 

Electrostatic Spray Coating. Electrostatic spray coating is the most widely utilized method for the appHcation of powder coatings (see... 

Fig. 1. An automatic spray-coating system, where air-automized electrostatic spray guns are mounted on reciprocators.

AH of the atomization techniques that produce a spray can be used with electrostatic spraying. Electrostatic atomization by definition uses... 

Electrostatic spraying is used in shops to coat conductive objects. It is very useful for odd-shaped objects such as wire fence, cables, and piping. An electrostatic potential of 60,000 volts on the object attracts oppositely-charged paint particles the spray can wrap around and coat the side of the object opposite to the spray gun. This technique produces very uniform finishes and has the least paint loss of the three methods. However, it is slow, requires expensive equipment, produces only thin coats, and is sensitive to wind currents. 

The principal factors affecting transfer efficiency are the size and shape of the object, the type of apphcation equipment, the air pressure to the spray gun, and the distance of the spray gun from the object. The transfer efficiency becomes lower as the object becomes smaller or more complex. The transfer efficiency increases when the spray gun is brought closer to the object and when the atomizing pressure is reduced. The transfer efficiency of different types of apphcation equipment in descending relative order is manual > electrostatic spray > airless spray > conventional atomized air spray. 

Figure A13.7(a) Electrostatic spray gun with the power pack unit (Courtesy Statfied)...

The method has one major disadvantage —its inability to coat internal angles and the like. Air assisted electrostatic spray guns are available and do overcome this deficiency to some extent. 

Electrostatic spraying With suitably Only economical in long runs. Very... 

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