Thermoplastic powder coating

Thermoplastic powders are tipically applied by Fluidized Bed (dipping) or Electrostatic, Flock or Flame Spray powder coating, mainly for protective or aesthetic reasons. Polymers include polyolefins (PE, PP), polyamides, polyesters, fluoropolymers and thermoplastic elastomers (SEBS, EVA, EMA, copolyesters and copolyamides).

Our Principals supply materials in granules or powder forms which may require a micronization step in order to make them suitable for powder coating. Ambra may supply the granules for further micronization made by our Customers, or as a service to our Customers we may supply directly the powder with the desired tailor-made particle size distribution, color and packaging under the tradename Ambra Powder. All the materials hereafter can be supplied in powder form by Ambra on tailor-made formulations, with the specially fine and narrow particle distribution (below 100 microns) which is typical of powder coating.

Kureha KF Polymer PVDF (Poly-Vinylidene-Fluoride) is a fluoropolymer showing excellent resistance to chemical corrosion, heat, weather, abrasion and wear. Being a fluoropolymer, KF Polymer is also intrinsically flame retardant, low-smoke, polar and conductive (high dielectric strength). It is also less expensive than many other fluoropolymers. Kureha is one of the largest PVDF neat polymer producers since 1970 and KF Polymer exerts the highest purity in terms of organic and metal content.

Short and long chain polyamides are also often used for their good combination of chemical and thermal resistance. PA6 and PA6.6 compounds for chemical resistance are available with Poliblend Polimid® and Mesgo Mizar® portfolios. Specific tailor-made Ambramid® PA6 and PA6.6 can also be developed.

Long-chain polyamides are available Nexis Fibers PA6.10 and 6.12.

Applications of KF Polymer, Polimid®, Mizar®, Ambramid® or Nexis Fibers typically include powder coating of engineering and chemical equipment, defense industry, medical industry, semiconductors.

Soft-touch coatings with high resistance can be obtained with Sipol Sipolprene® TPC-ET thermoplastic elastomers, a class of polyester-polyether block copolymers with specially desirable features, including outstanding mechanical properties, flexibility and softness versatility, flexural fatigue resistance, high impact strength, heat stability, resistance to oils, solvents and chemicals in general, abrasion resistance, good electrical dissipative factors.

Ambra also developed a recycled TPC-ET material, Ambra TPC Regrind Black 1, which conjugates the above properties with a very attractive cost and environmental (carbon footprint) performance. Tailor-made powder can be developed with the desired particle size distribution.

Soft coatings can also be obtained with DzBh Baling® SEBS styrene thermoplastic elastomers copolymers, or Arkema Evatane® EVA and Lotryl® EMA, EBA polyolefin copolymers. Materials may also be mixed with polyolefins to achieve the desired mechanical properties.

Typical standard applications by spray coating or dipping may include wire fences, hangers, dishwasher baskets and holders, etc.

Combinations of Baling®, Evatane® or Lotryl® with Nexis Fibers PA6.10 or 6.12, Sipolprene® or Ambra TPC Regrind Black 1 will increase the chemical, heat and wear resistance of SEBS.

Ambra Powder may also supply a tailor-made powder blend with the desired properties.

Tip

Powder coating with superior resistance to chemicals, heat, weather and and wear?

Kureha KF Polymer PVDF with the highest purity on the market and lower prices than otherfluoropolymers.

Reactive powder coating

Reactive coating is a special type of powder coating where a reactive polymer is applied, to obtain a stronger and more durable adhesion than usual coating. Arkema Orevac®, Orevac® T and Lotader® reactive polyolefins can be used in powder form, alone or mixed with polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters or fluoropolymers in tailor-made homogenized powders – available by Ambra.

Mixing with Orevac® or Lotader® will enhance the adhesion to metals and decrease the wear. The broad range of reactive group and comonomers types and concentration allow to tune several different properties including adhesive strength, mechanical, touch and aesthetic properties.

Tip

Demand stronger adhesion...

...and you say Arkema Lotader® and Orevac®

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries

Li-ion batteries have become the winning and most popular technology, powering all electronic devices (smartphones, laptops and tablets), up to the whirling growth in hybrid and electric vehicles. As the most diffused technology, electrodes binders and separator coatings in Li-ion batteries are typically produced by solvent-borne coating of a Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) slurry in solvents such as in N-Methyl 2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) and carbon or ceramic materials.

With one of the highest purities on the market, Kureha KF Polymer PVDF allows easy dissolution and processing, stable dispersion viscosity, great resistance to the electrochemical corrosion caused by the electrolyte mixtures, optimum adhesiveness to the aluminum collectors with high electrical dispersion.
PVDF is one of the most commonly binders used for cathode of lithium ion batteries because of its superior electrochemical and thermal stability and good adhesion between the current collectors and electrode films.

Tip

Living in a smart world powered by Lithium-ion batteries

Electric cars, smartphones, laptops and tablets: the Li-ion electrodes binders and coating separators may contain Kureha KF Polymer PVDF powder.

Inks

An Arkema Evatane® EVA polyolefin copolymer grade with very high VA content was specifically designed as a polymer binder in hydrocarbon solutions for chloroPP gravure inks used for reverse printing in flexible packaging, including CopoPP and bioriented PP, PET or PA substrates. It improves the internal cohesion, mechanical properties, pigment dispersion and flexibility of the varnish formulation, at the same time providing higher adhesion to corona treated and primerized films. This specific grade also guarantees excellent clarity and low stickiness for easy processing.

Arkema Orevac® T and Lotader® reactive polyolefin terpolymers may also be used – possibly also in combination with Evatane® - as coupling agents in varnish formulations for letterpress, lithographic, screen, gravure and flexographic inks inks for durable adhesion.

Brasca ABpolwax PE waxes may be used in varnish formulations for perfect lubrification / shear reduction.

Tip

Polymer binders for gravure inks in reverse print flexible packaging

Discover Arkema polar Evatane® EVA and reactive Orevac® T and Lotader® specialty polyolefins.

Paints, varnishes, lacquers and polishes

Brasca ABpolwax PE waxes and Polwax paraffins are used in emulsions or dispersions for paints, varnishes, lacquers to improve scratch and abrasion resistance, increase slip, fluidity and internal shear, and impart flatting properties for weather and water protection. They are also used in formulations for leather finissage, shoe polishes, furniture and car polishes, and several other applications.

Ambra portfolio includes Hydrocarbon tackifier resins from various Chinese top producers with reliable quality, consistent supply and affordable costs. Our range includes Aliphatic C5, Aromatic C9, Aliphatic/Aromatic C5/C9, Hydrogenated resins. They are essential in the formulation of alkyd paints, aluminum paints, etc.

Arkema Evatane® EVA are also used as binders to increase the internal cohesion in solvent based paint emulsions and shoepolishes.

Pollena Aroma® is one of the largest European fragrance producers, with a scent range counting tens of thousands of references, from basic aromas with high odor covering properties, to the most sophisticated tailor-made perfume. Pollena Aroma® will reproduce any Aroma® you dream of for your emulsion formulation.