Improving Equipment Efficiency with Industrial Coatings

There isn’t denying the importance of surface protection in our daily lives. From the household furniture to the modern devices, surfaces are prone to damage, corrosion, and wear and tear. And the same holds true for industrial parts and products as well. Fortunately, industrial coatings offer a solution to protect surfaces from corrosion, abrasion, heat and fire, grease, dirt, and other contaminants.

Since their introduction in the early 20th century, industrial coatings have come a long way and are now available in several forms. This blog post explores the basics of industrial coatings and their applications across various sectors. Also, it sheds light on the top companies offering industrial coatings to consumers worldwide. Stick with us!

What Are Industrial Coatings?

Industrial coatings refer to a form of coating applied to surfaces to protect them from damage and extreme environments. Also, they can be used to add functionality to a surface, such as making it non-stick or non-slip. Industrial coatings safeguard materials from UV radiation, corrosion, fire, heat, and physical impact damage. Also, they can help improve the aesthetics of a surface. The application of these coatings can be done through spray, brush, or dipping.

How Do Industrial Coating Techniques Work?

Below, we’ve given an overview of some of the different coating techniques:

Dip Coating

Dip coating, also known as immersion coating, is a cost-effective process that offers high-quality coating. The coating with the technique is uniform on substrates of different sizes or shapes, including large surface areas. Here, the parts to be coated are immersed in a liquid polymer tank and then withdrawn under regulated conditions. The coating’s thickness depends on various factors, including its viscosity, withdrawal rate, number of dipping cycles, and immersion duration.

E-Coat

E-coat, also known as electrodeposition coat, is a hybrid process between paints and coatings. It involves the immersion of a part in a water-based solution that contains a paint emulsion. In e-coat, an electric current is passed through both the part and the solution, resulting in the deposition of the paint emulsion and coating formation. The process ensures that both the internal and external coating of the part takes place.

Brushing

This coating method necessitates skilled personnel and apt bristles or brushes to ensure uniform distribution of the liquid polymer. Here, multiple coats or coating additives may be needed to achieve the desired film thickness. When using brushing to apply coatings, it’s important to ensure that the brush bristles are compatible with the product being applied. Benefits of brushing include reduced waste, low capital costs, and economic efficiency.

Types of Industrial Coatings

Below, we’ve explained the various types of industrial coatings:

Teflon Coatings: Teflon coatings are made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a type of plastic. Industrial products made out of Teflon coatings exhibit high-temperature resistance. Also, they are resistant to stress cracking, corrosion, and chemical reactions. Teflon coatings can be used on steel alloys, brass, aluminum, and carbon steel.

Excalibur Coatings: These coatings are known for their toughness, durability, and long-lasting nature. Unlike other coating types, Excalibur is a complete coating system instead of just a layer applied over an existing substrate. They combine stainless steel’s durability with the excellent release properties of non-stick surfaces. Excalibur Coatings are used in a variety of industrial applications, including the food industry, automotive assembly processes, electrical engineering, and the energy sector.

Xylan Coatings: Xylan coatings are fluoropolymer-based coatings widely used when the surface properties of an ideal material in engineering construction are unsuitable. These coatings are highly effective at binding to surfaces that don’t go well with other PTFE coatings. These coatings offer wear resistance, controlled friction, lubrication, and non-stick properties. Xylan coatings find applications in cookware, food processing equipment, machined components, and medical instruments.

Top Manufacturers of Industrial Coatings

The market for industrial coatings has the presence of several companies. These companies focus on innovation and R&D to improve their offerings. Also, they prioritize strategic developments such as mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations to expand their market reach. Below, we’ve given an overview of the top producers of industrial coatings:

AkzoNobel

Founded: 1994

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands

AkzoNobel is a Dutch multinational company that specializes in the manufacturing of paints and performance coatings for both industry and consumers across the globe. It is the world’s third-largest paint manufacturer by revenue and has operations in more than 150 countries. AkzoNobel is the company behind several popular brands, including Dulux, Alabastine, Bruguer, Inca, and Molto. Its coatings groups consist of the following business units: Decorative Paints, Marine and Protective Coatings, Automotive and Specialty Coatings, Industrial Coatings, and Powder Coatings.

Axalta Coating Systems

Founded: 1866

Headquarters: Pennsylvania, United States

Axalta Coating Systems is a US-based company that produces and distributes coating systems for  various industries, including commercial vehicles and refinish aftermarkets. Also, it leads the way in mobility by offering light vehicle and commercial vehicle coatings for original equipment manufacturers. Besides, its liquid, powder, and electrocoat coating solutions serve a wide range of industry segments. In May 2024, Axalta Coating Systems announced its definitive agreement for the acquisition of the CoverFlexx Group from Transtar Holding Company.

Beckers Group

Founded: 1865

Headquarters: Berlin, Germany

Beckers Group is a privately owned, global company that specializes in the development of high-quality, environmentally compatible paint systems. It has 23 production sites in 17 countries and serves customers in over 60 countries worldwide. Beckers Group provides coatings for heavy-duty machinery and other equipment. Also, it offers coatings for rolling stock, trains, and other vehicles that run on rail. Besides, the company serves customers in truck trailers and the automotive plastic exterior market segments.

Shervin-Williams

Founded: 1866

Headquarters: Ohio, United States

Shervin-Williams is an American company primarily engaged in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of coatings, paints, floor coverings, and related products. The company provides products to industrial, commercial, professional, and retail customers through a chain of over 5,000 company-operated stores and facilities located in the US, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. In February 2023, Sherwin-Williams announced its partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. Under the partnership, Sherwin-Williams will supply automotive paints and coatings to the Formula One team.

Besides these, other companies manufacturing industrial coatings are Asian Paints Ltd, BASF SE, Henkel AG & Company, Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd., RPM International Inc., and The Chemours Company.

Protecting Surfaces

Industrial coatings play a crucial role in improving safety and efficiency and reducing contamination risks of products. These coatings are used in a wide range of sectors, including aircraft, automotive, marine, furniture, and kitchen appliances, amongst others. As major manufacturers continue to focus on innovation, we can expect to see the introduction of more advanced industrial coatings in the upcoming years.