Lessons in Powder Coating: Class 2 Powders More Hydrophobic?! What Does It Mean and Why Is It Important

Lessons in Powder Coating: Class 2 Powders More Hydrophobic?! What Does It Mean and Why Is It Important?

Hydrophobic literally means water-repellent. In the context of powders, the degree of hydrophobicity refers to the ability to repel water. A hydrophobic surface ensures that water droplets adhere less quickly and are more easily beaded off. This is beneficial for the durability and maintenance of a coating.

Class 2 polyester powders have a different composition than Class 1 powders. This results in Class 2 powders having a lower surface tension than Class 1 powders. As a result, Class 2 powders are more hydrophobic than Class 1 powders. This property means that dirt, dust and other particles adhere less quickly, which means that the coating stays clean for longer. In addition, when water flows over the surface, it takes the dirt with it, which means that maintenance is required less frequently. This is also called a self-cleaning effect . In addition, it offers extra resistance to water-related damage, such as corrosion or algae growth, especially in humid environments.

Implementation in practice

The increased hydrophobicity of Class 2 powders makes them highly suitable for applications where long-term aesthetics and weather resistance are important, such as in construction (facade panels, windows) and projects in coastal areas.

While hydrophobicity is not the only advantage of Class 2 powders, it contributes significantly to their superior performance and lower maintenance requirements compared to Class 1 powders.

Also read our article about Qualicoat Class 1 and Class 2, in which we explain the meaning and differences in detail: https://coatr.eu/nl/kennisbank/lessen-in-poedercoating-qualicoat-klasse-1-vs-klasse-2