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Glossary

ANSI - American National Standards Institute.

ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials.

Abrasive - Agent used for abrasive blast cleaning, i.e., sand, grit, steel shot, glass beads.

Adhesion - Bonding strength. Attraction of coating to the surface to which it is applied. Property that causes one material to stick to another. (Adhesion is affected by the condition of the surface to be coated, by closeness of contact, as well as by molecular forces of unlike substances. The surface being coated should allow a certain amount of penetration, be chemically clean, not too smooth, and be hard, or non-porous, to achieve good adhesion.)

Anchor Pattern - Profile of a surface--usually attained by blasting.

Applicator - Tool for applying or one who applies coating material.

Atom - The smallest unit of an element.

Atomization - The separation of powder particles into air.

Atomizing Air - Air injected into powder path to atomize them into a mist or cloud.

Back Ionization - Condition occurring when excessive build-up of charged powder particles limits further powder from being deposited on the substrate. Back ionization may occur during electrostatic applications and can reverse the electrical charge of the surface layer of powder particles. This condition may also be referred to as "electrostatic rejection" and/or "repelling".

Blast Angle - Angle of nozzle with reference to a surface. Also angle or particle propelled from rotating blast cleaning wheel with reference to a surface.

Blast Cleaning - Cleaning with air- or jet-propelled abrasive.

Capture - Containment or recovery of emissions from a coating process for the purpose of exhaustion through a control device or stack. (EPA regulations apply)

Capture Air Velocity - Average speed of air drawn through booth openings.

Capture Air Volume - Volume of air needed to capture oversprayed powder within a booth.

Capture Device - Means of collecting pollutants for direction into a control device for future disposal.

Capture Efficiency - That portion of overspray which is entrapped by the collector media versus that which is discharged in exhaust air.

Cartridge Booth - A type of powder booth which incorporates a cartridge filter system within the booths.

Cartridge Filter - Pre-assembled filter media which has been fluted, convoluted, and/or made in cylindrical or canister form.

Chalking - Degradation (decomposition) of a paint film by the gradual erosion of its binder -- a loose powder forms on the surface and is easily detectable by wiping the film.

Coating - Surface covering. Paint, barrier. Film applied in a thin layer for protection and decorative purposes. (Powder Coatings include Vinyl, Nylon, Epoxy, Polyester, Polyurethane, and other chemistries.)
Color Fast - Non-fading. Ability to retain original color.
Compatibility - Capable of being mixed easily without causing surface or chemical defects. (May also pertain to the adherence ability of dissimilar coatings to each other, or a coating to a substrate.)

Compliance Coating - Coating which meets all air (VOC), water, and waste disposal regulations.

Compressor - Device which converts mechanical force and motion into pneumatic, or fluid power.

Corrosion - Decay. Oxidation or deterioration due to interaction with the environment.

Cross Hatch - Test to demonstrate adhesion characteristics of a paint or powder coated surface  performed by scribing a cross-hatch pattern at specific intervals -- then applying and pulling area with tape.
 
Cross-Linking - A particular method by which chemicals unite to form films.

Cure - To change the physical properties of a material through chemical reaction by means of condensation, polymerization, or vulcanization. (Curing is usually accomplished by the action of heat and catalysts, alone or in combination, with or without pressure.)

Cure Agent - Hardener or cross-linking agent.

Cure Schedule - The time/temperature relationship required to properly cross-link a thermosetting liquid or powder coating.

Curing Oven - Heated chamber for the purpose of solidifying a coating by either chemical cross-linking or drying.

Decorative Powder Coating - Powder coating for cosmetic appearance.

Deionized Water - Water containing no ions. (Usually produced through the use of ion exchange resins.)

Delamination - Separation of two layers of coating.

Delivery - Process of moving a coating through application equipment to the end product.

Dip Coating - Coating by immersing the object in a tank of coating and then withdrawing the object.

Discoloration - Color change.

Downdraft Booth - Spray booth in which air movement is from ceiling to floor.

Dry Blending - Process for powder coatings manufacture where materials are blended in dry form without melting.

Drying oil An oil which possesses to a marked degree the property of readily taking up oxygen from the air and changing to a relatively hard, tough, elastic substance when exposed in a thin film to the air

Edge Coverage - A powder coating's ability to form a continuous film over sharp edges, corners, and angles.

Electrostatic Deposition - Attraction. Technique of moving and charging powder coatings so that it is deposited onto a a grounded surface.

Electrostatic Fluid Bed - Fluid bed equipped with an electrostatic grid to charge the powder. Deposition method of charging fluidized powder so that it is deposited onto a grounded substrate.

EPA - "Environmental Protection Agency."

Etching - Surface preparation of metal by chemical process. Removal of a layer of the base metal.

Extension Gun - Pole gun--extension adapter to a gun.

Extruder - Device used to melt-mix plastics and powder coatings.

Face Velocity - Air movement or velocity measured at booth openings. Average speed of air that is drawn through the booth openings measured in FPM.

Fading - Reduction in brightness or color. Gradual loss of color of a powder film due to a chemical or physical change.

Fallout - ...spray. Overspray.

Fan Pattern - Geometry or shape of spray pattern.

Faraday Cage Effect - Phenomenon by which charged particles are prevented from entering recessed areas. (Faraday Cage Effect is due to the curvature of electric force lines to the nearest grounded surface.) - Michael Faraday.

Fatty Edge - Thick edge sometimes found on heavily coated work resulting in a rounded, thicker film along the edges.

Faux painting Faux painting or Faux finishing are terms used to describe a wide range of decorative painting techniques. The naming comes from the French word faux (for "fake"), as these techinques started as a form of replicating materials such as marble and wood with paint, but has subsequently come to encompass many other decorative finishes for walls and furniture.

Ferrous - Containing iron.

Filiform Corrosion - Corrosion or creep resembling a thread-like formation. (Filiform corrosion is generally caused by poor substrate cleaning or rinsing.)

Filler - Extender, bulking agent, or inert pigment.

Film Integrity - Degree of continuity of film.

Film Thickness - Depth of applied coating--expressed in mils, i.e., 1/1000 inch.

Film Thickness Gauge - Device for measuring film thickness--available for both wet and dry thicknesses.

Filter - Strainer - Purifier - Device for the removal of particulates from air, gas, or a fluid stream.

Fines - Extremely fine part of powder coatings. (15 microns or finer.)

Flaking - Disintegration into small pieces or "flakes." Ref. "Scaling."

Flame Cleaning - Method of surface preparation of steel using flame to burn off contaminates.

Flash Point - Lowest temperature at which a given flammable material will "flash" if a flame or spark is present.

Flash Rusting - Very thin film of rust occurring within minutes to several hours after cleaning.

Flat Spray Nozzle - Powder gun tip which gives a "fan pattern."

Fluid Bed - Cylindrical or box-type chamber equipped with a porous membrane floor, an air chamber, and an air supply. (Powder is suspended in the fluid bed to form a fluid-like suspension. Powder coatings may be applied to "hot" parts by dipping them into the powder/air mixture in the fluid bed. Generally heavier coatings of 6-10 mils are applied with this method. Fluid beds are also used as a reservoir to convey, or pump, powder to electrostatic guns.)

Fusion - The melting and flow of individual powder particles under the influence of heat to form a continuous bond.

Fusion Point - Temperature at which powder is melted by heat to form a liquid film.

Gel-Time - Reaction rate of a given thermoset powder from the time it melts until it becomes a semi-solid.

Glass Plate Flow - The measurement of flow-out, or viscosity, when powder is in a molten state.

Glass Transition TemperatureGlass Transition temperature is the temperature where a change in the rate of specific volume increase compared to temperature is noticed. This phenomenon is present in amorphous materials. Glass Transition temperature is commonly abbreviated as Tg (capital T, and the "g" is in subscript). It is important to note that this temperature does not mark a phase change, only a second order transition.

When a polymer reaches the glass transition temperature parts of the polymer starts to "wiggle", or move around. The polymer is said to be in the "rubbery" state when it is above the Tg and in it's "glassy" state below the Tg. The rubbery state is more flexible and softer then the brittle glassy state. The glass transition temperature of a polymer is influenced by a number of variables including number average molecular weight, polymer backbone flexibility, and pendant side chains.

Glass transition temperature can be determined by differential scanning calorimetry or dynamic mechanical analysis. It is important to note however, that different methods to determine Tg will give values that are slightly different from each other.

Tg is often used to measure the degree of cure of fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) coatings.

Gloss - Degree of which a surface reflects light. Shininess, luster, or the ability to reflect in mirror direction. (Glossy surfaces are generally very smooth.)

Gloss Retention - Ability to retain the original gloss.

Gravelometer - Device for subjecting a painted panel to impact from air blown gravel to determine its probable service life and method of failure. The extent of failure is determined by counting the number of chips in each of several size ranges.

Grind - Size of powder particles.

Grit - Abrasive obtained from slag and various other materials.

Grounding - Electrical grounding of an item.

Ground Wire - Wire attached to dissipate electrostatic charge on electrical equipment.

Hardness - Ability of a dry paint film to withstand indentation.

Hiding Power - Ability of a powder to mask the color or pattern of a surface.

High Film Build - Producing thick films per coat.

Holiday - Pinhole. Skip. Discontinuity. Void.

Holiday Detector - Device used for the detection of pinholes or "holidays."

Hot Plate Melt Flow - Measurement of flow-out or viscosity when powder is in the molten state.

Humidity - A measure of the amount of moisture in the air.

Hybrid - An epoxy-modified polyester or an epoxy-modified acrylic thermoset powder coating.

Impact Fusion - Tendency of finely divided powders to combine with other particles via bombardment or friction during an application process and form hard crusty build-up.

Incompatibility - Inability to mix with or adhere to another material.

Infrared Oven - Oven using series of lights or reflectors emitting infrared energy to heat cure parts.

Inorganic Coatings - Those employing inorganic binders or vehicles.

Intercoat Adhesion - A coating's ability to adhere to previously applied films.

Intumescence
A mechanism whereby fire-retardant paints protect the substrates to which they are applied. An intumescent paint puffs up when exposed to high temperatures, forming an insulating, protective layer over the substrate.

Iron Phosphate Coating - Pretreatment. Chemical deposition on steel for corrosion protection. Corrosion inhibitor.

Isocyanate Resins - Urethane resins. Urethane curing agents.

Ketone - Flammable organic solvents.

Leveling - Ability of film to flow out to a smooth, uniform thickness.

Low Film Build - Coating which is too thin.

Makeup Air - Fresh air, drawn into a plant from an outside source, to replace the solvent-laden air (from a coating operation or drying oven) being exhausted from the building.

Mandrel Test - Physical bending test for testing paint adhesion and flexibility.

Masking - Covering areas not to be coated.

Material Safety Data Sheet - Information supplied by coating manufacturers listing all hazardous ingredients, physical and health hazards, first-aid procedures, and protective equipment.

MEC - "Minimum Explosive Concentration."

Melt Blend Powder - Process of mixing all ingredients while molten.

Melt Mixing - Temperature at which a finely divided powder will begin to melt and flow. "Flow Stage."

Metallic Finish - Finish utilizing metal powder as its hiding portion.

Mill Scale - Oxide layer formed on steel by hot rolling.

Molecule - The smallest particle of a substance that can exist without losing its chemical form. (Molecules consist of one or more atoms.)

Molten Salt Bath - A container of melted inorganic salts used to oxidatively remove paint from a metal surface. (Part is dipped in bath and paint is burned away within seconds.)

Non-Ferrous - Containing no iron.

Nylon - A thermoplastic powder coating which contains long-chain polymers consisting of recurring amide groups (CONH2).

Opacity - ... of a film. Ability to cover, or hide -- especially as in the covering of a substrate or previous coat(s).

Orange Peel - An irregularity in the surface of a coating film resulting from the inability of the film to "level out," or become smooth after being applied.

Organic - Substance containing carbon compounds.

Orifice - Opening. Hole.

Oven - Chamber or enclosed compartment for the purpose of baking, heating, or curing.

Overbake - Result of curing coating film at too high a combination of time and temperature.

Overcoat - Second coat. Top coat.

Particle Size - Average diameter of powder particles measured in mesh size or microns.

Passivation - Conversion of a metal surface to a less reactive state. A process used to reduce the corrosion rate of metal surfaces.

Phosphatize - To form a thin, inert phosphate coating on the surface -- usually by treatment with phosphoric acid or other phosphate compound.

Pickling - The use of a chemical solution to prepare a surface for coating or bonding by dissolving away surface oxides and other impurities -- a certain amount of base metal may also be removed.

Picture Framing - Process of coating film pulling away from the edge of a coated surface.

Pigment - Dry color matter -- usually an insoluble powder to be mixed with water, oil, or other base for the production of paint or other products.

Pin-holing - Formation of small holes through the entire thickness of a coating.

Pitting - Formation of small, usually shallow depressions, cavities, or holes in a dried film.

Polymerization - Chemical reaction in which small molecules combine to form large molecules.

Porosity - Degree of integrity or continuity.

Post-curing - Extended heating of a part after powder coating to complete the cure cycle.

Post-head - Heating of an object after coating with powder.

Powder Coating - Protective and/or decorative coatings formed by application of powder to a substrate, after which the powder is fused into a continuous film by the application or heat or radiant energy.

Preheat - Heating of an object prior to coating.

Pretreatment - Chemical alteration of a surface to make it suitable for application of paint or powder.

Profile - Surface contour of a blast-cleaned surface as viewed from edge cross-section of surface.

Profile Depth - Average distance between top of peaks and bottom of valleys on a surface.

Quench - To rapidly cool by means of liquid immersion--usually water or forced air cooling.

Radiation Cure - Curing or drying a coating by means of exposure to electromagnetic waves or particles such as infrared, ultraviolet, or electron beam.

Reclaim - Process to recycle non-deposited powder through a delivery system for reuse.

Reclaimed Powder - Powder which has been oversprayed and collected for reuse.

Recoat - Process of refinishing or refurbishing rejected parts by sanding the blemished area and respraying to salvage the part.

Recoat Time - Time interval needed between the application of successive coats.

Recovery - Process of removing non-deposited powder from air prior to recirculating powder through the delivery system.

Recycled Powder - Powder which has been oversprayed, collected, and conditioned for reuse.

Reflectance - Degree of light reflectance.

Resin - Film former. Material (natural or synthetic) contained in varnishes, lacquers, and other protective coating materials.

Respirator - Safety breathing mask.

Reverse Osmosis - Method of removing metal ions from an aqueous solution via semi-permeable membranes.

Runs - Curtains. Sags.

Rust - Corroded iron. Red iron oxide deposited on metal. Also other metal oxides formed by corrosion.

Salt Spray Test - Corrosion test using salt (NaCl) sprayed as a mist in a heated humidity chamber to simulate seashore conditions, or to accelerate corrosion at a controlled rate. ASTM B117.

Sandblast - Blast cleaning using sand as an abrasive.

Scale - Rust occurring in thin layers--commonly found on hot rolled steel.

Sealed Coating - Primer. Coating used for the prevention of excessive absorption of a first coat of paint by the substrate.

Seeding - Formation of small agglomerates or gel particles in a coating.

Shelf Life - Maximum interval a material may be stored and still be in usable condition.

Shot Blasting - Blast cleaning using steel shot as the abrasive.

Solution - Mixture formed when one material (solid or liquid) is dissolved into a liquid.

Soy Paint Soy Paint is paint made primarily from soy, it combines the advantage of being a renewable resource with the potential of non-toxic product

Surface Preparation - All operation necessary to prepare a surface to receive a coating of paint.

Taber Abraser - An instrument used to determine the abrasion resistance of a plastic or paint coating. (Taber abrasers utilize rubber wheels impregnated with an abrasive media. Results are reported in cycles to failure and/or weight loss per specified cycles per specified weight load.)

Tape Adhesion - Test used to check for adhesion of a paint to a surface. (Paint is scribed with an "x" or a cross-hatch line pattern, tape is then applied over the scribed areas, and ripped away to be examined for paint pulled from the surface.)

TGIC Polyester - Triglycidyl isocyanurate.

Thermoplastic - Type of polymer which softens and melts when heated but resolidifies upon
cooling.

Thermosets - Type of polymer which does not soften appreciably when heated.

Tooth - Profile. Mechanical anchorage. Surface roughness.

Topcoat - Usually the final paint film applied to a surface.

Transfer Efficiency - Ratio of the liquid paint or powder Coating actually deposited on a substrate as compared to the amount directed at the part to be coated.

Tribocharging - The process of creating a static electric charge on powder particles by friction against a non-conductive material.

Venturi - A constricted throat in the air passage of powder pumps and used to determine velocities by the measurement of differential pressures generated at the throat as powder traverses the tube.

Virgin Powder - Unsprayed powder -- as opposed to sprayed or reclaim powder.

Voltage Tester - Instrument used to measure voltage output at corona tip of electrostatic spray gun.

Voltmeter - Instrument used to measure electrical current in volts (voltage).

Water Blasting - Blast cleaning using high velocity water.

Water Spotting - The occurrence of whitish blemishes on a surface in areas where water droplets have dried leaving mineral solids behind. i.e. salt, calcium.

White Blast - Blast cleaning to white metal.

Wrap - A characteristic of liquid or powder coatings in an electrostatic application to seek out and adhere to parts of the substrate not in direct line of sight of the delivery system end point