Powder coating is a vital process that allows sheet metal fabricators to deliver a complete manufacturing solution.

Following fabrication processes such as laser cutting, forming and welding, sheet metal components can be finished with powder coating to achieve a smooth, durable and resilient surface finish.

To ensure maximum quality, powder coating starts by passing all components through a pre-treatment process. The aim of pre-treatment is to clean and prepare the sheet metal surface to allow better bonding of the powder paint to the metal, to enhance resistance to weathering and corrosion and to ensure long-lasting performance.

As with any painting process, preparation is the most critical stage. Almost all sheet metal materials used in sheet metal fabrication, including aluminium, stainless and mild steel, can be pre-treated and coated to a high standard at a competitive cost.

Two types of phosphates widely used in powder coating pre-treatment are iron phosphate and zinc phosphate. However, many metal fabricators now adopt an alternate phosphate-free technology, Oxsilan. Here are just some of the benefits of using Oxsilan pre-treatment during the powder coating process.