Variables Control in the Application of Electrostatic Powder Paint: An Alternative to Reduce the Defective Fraction of Metal Parts

The high number of defective parts and constant claims from the consumer market, are some problems that the Ecuadorian metal-mechanic industry must face in the production of a variety of pieces, metal items and capital goods. The objective of this research is to propose an alternative to increase the quality of the products and reduce the defects in the production of metal parts, manufactured in the metal-mechanic industry, through the appropriate application of an electrostatic powder paint coating in the polymerization process. A diagnosis of the problems in the painting process was made and the defects in the metal parts caused by a poor control of the main variables in this process were evaluated. In addition, some aspects were experimentally tested: the effect of the temperature at which the painted parts are exposed with electrostatic powder paint, the polymerization time of the pieces remaining inside the furnace and the thickness of the applied painting layer. The results showed that the thickness of the electrostatic painting layer applied to the metal parts at different exposure times and polymerization temperatures have a considerable impact on the quality and finish of the parts for their acceptance, use and durability.