After the proper amount of powder is applied, the profile is baked in an oven where the powder particles are melted to a liquid state, fusing together to form a homogenous film. Most applications in North America are on horizontal lines. Binders consist of the resin, polymer, and crosslinker. This ingredient provides the powder with its fundamental film properties. Prime Color Pigments can be either organic or inorganic and provide the paint with its color.
Additives serve numerous functions but generally affect fluidization and application properties.
Powder coatings perform comparably to liquid coatings of the same resin chemistry and are available in an increasingly wide range of colors. Powder coating serves a growing market and is expected to play a significant part in the finishing of aluminum profiles in the years to come. The resultant finish shows off the natural luster of the aluminum substrate. The anodic finish greatly increases the resistance to corrosion and abrasion over a mill-finished product, without altering the texture of the metal's surface. Etching takes place in a hot caustic solution and yields a matte or satin finish that can diminish the effect of die lines.