Powder-coating technologies for heat-sensitive substrates

The curing-temperature challenge

With its smooth surface – ideal for painting – and attractive price point compared to solid wood, it’s no surprise that MDF and similar engineered woods are increasingly popular choices for furniture and interior architecture.

Finishings for these heat-sensitive substrates (HSS) have traditionally involved liquid paint. But many manufacturers have long been interested in using powder coating instead, given benefits like strength, reliability, cost-efficiency, and greater aesthetic possibilities.

However, powder coatings have typically required temperatures of over 150°C to cure and melt onto the substrate’s surface. This can cause heat-sensitive substrates to crack, bubble, and pop as their fibers warp and rise up in the heat.

Let Uralac® give you that competitive advantage

Bringing the power of powder to heat-sensitive substrates

Now, with powder coating technologies like Uralac® Ultra, Engain , and UV, it’s much easier to produce and apply powder coatings on heat-sensitive substrates.

Uralac® Ultra and Uralac® UV are innovative coating technologies consisting of unsaturated polyester, a co-crosslinker, and a thermal initiator.

Most importantly, they can be applied in a unique single-layer process at temperatures as low as 120 – 130°C (for Uralac® Ultra), or even under 100°C (for Uralac® UV), rather than the traditional 160 – 170°C.

This lower curing temperature opens a whole new world of possibilities for powder coating on MDF and engineered wood. Plus, it also reduces the environmental impact of these coatings – for instance, Uralac® Ultra has a carbon footprint five times lower than traditional coating systems.