Regarding the capacity to weather extreme temperatures, UV rays from the sun, salt spray and pollutants, not all architectural powder coatings are created equal.
Recently published data from third-party laboratory testing demonstrated that PPG CORAFLON® Platinum powder coating is in a league of its own when it comes to color stability and gloss retention.
The high-performance fluoropolymer, launched in 2021, was engineered for use on architectural extrusions, curtain walls and plate metal. It was designed to meet Fenestration and Glazing Industrial Alliance and American Architectural Manufacturers Association (FGIA/AAMA) 2605 performance specifications.
Coraflon Platinum: A Leap Forward in FEVE Technologies
Recently, Atlas Material Testing Solutions conducted laboratory tests in accordance with Section 8.9 of the FGIA/AAMA 2605 standards. The resulting data demonstrated that PPG Coraflon Platinum powder coating had a minimal 6% loss of colors over five years, followed by color stabilization.
Most notably, the formulation exhibited 20 times the color retention of similarly colored competitor products within the same timeframe.
During the five-year comparison, a leading competitor’s Slate Gray shade underwent a significant loss in color with both their Slate Gray and Bone White shades losing 80% or more of their gloss. In contrast, PPG Coraflon Platinum powder coating had nominal loss of color and gloss, establishing it as an industry benchmark technology.
Durability Beyond Performance Benchmarks
When the performance evaluation was extended to seven years, PPG Coraflon Platinum consistently exceeded FGIA/AAMA 2605 specifications for stability and performance, surpassing even the 10-year performance benchmark.
To date, PPG Coraflon Platinum has undergone over nine years of third-party testing, including 4,000 hours of cyclic corrosion testing, equivalent to 5-7 years of field exposure. This weather test exposes aluminum panels to alternating cycles of high humidity and salt spray, simulating accelerated real-world corrosive conditions.
More Complete Coverage with Less Waste
In addition to its exceptional robustness and colorfastness, PPG Coraflon Platinum offers enhanced application efficiency. With transfer efficiency rates 20% higher than standard FEVE powders, there is less overspray and waste to manage or reclaim in the finishing process, saving both time and labor.
Specialized high transfer efficiency (HTE) coatings like PPG Coraflon Platinum are formulated to electrostatically wrap and penetrate deep into recesses and hard-to-reach areas, achieving first pass build rates of up to 85% or better. Compared to standard powder coatings, these systems can reduce powder consumption by 20-25%.
Fenestration Manufacturer Reaps Rewards of Higher Transfer Efficiency
Soon after the formulation was launched, a leading manufacturer of commercial and architectural-grade windows conducted trials to evaluate PPG Coraflon Platinum coverage and finish quality on their geometric-shaped extrusions.
The company applied PPG Coraflon Platinum powder to their hard-to-coat parts using the same automatic powder coating line, line speed, air pressure and voltage as their standard powder process.
They discovered that the HTE powder deeply penetrated the recessed areas without heavy edge build up. Even after reducing powder pressure by 20%, transfer efficiency gains were notable without sacrificing the required film thickness.
By transitioning to an HTE formulation, much less powder is going through the company’s reclaim system and overall powder consumption dropped by 20%.
Expanded Gloss Range Puts Shine on New Designs
Powder coatings have historically had fewer gloss options than their liquid counterparts. Through investments in research and development, companies like PPG have developed powder formulations that are pushing the outer gloss range limits on both ends of the spectrum.
While standard FEVE powder coatings have a gloss range of 25 to 70 Gloss Units, PPG Coraflon Platinum powder boasts an expanded 5 to 85 range. The versatility translates into the ability to create finishes previously not possible with FEVE technologies.
On the low end of the scale, low-gloss matte finishes that can be used to mimic the look of anodized aluminum are garnering attention within the industry.
Not only are powder coatings simpler and more cost effective than the multi-step anodizing process that involves pretreatment, immersion and sealing, they are available in a broader array of colors and finishes, offer higher levels of corrosion resistance and more easily achieve a uniform, even finish, a challenge for traditional anodizing methods.
Advanced Powder Coatings are Creating Novel New Finishes
Powder coatings are often specified for architectural applications since it’s easier to create textures like wrinkles and hammer tones in one coat and with better consistency than with liquid formulations. This capability, plus PPG Coraflon Platinum powder's broad gloss spectrum and extensive color catalog, enable the creation of finishes that resemble stone, granite, terracotta, cement and other natural elements.
Compared to these authentic materials, powder coatings that mimic them are lighter weight, easier to maintain, less costly and more durable.
The sheen and color versatility of PPG Coraflon Platinum combines the highest levels of color stability, corrosion protection and weathering resistance with the freedom to create a wider range of finishes, including:
- Terracotta: rolling textures and a glossy finish.
- Velvet touch: smooth matte finish with a glossy speckle.
- Anodized metal: smooth, low gloss and reflective.
- Micro-sand: Coarse with non-skid textures.
- Stone: created with two colorants.
- Granite: smooth or structured with two or more colorants.
- Ultra-high gloss and matte looks not available with standard FEVE powders.
Sustainability and Performance
PPG recognizes that customers want solutions that are hyper-durable and sustainably advantaged. PPG Coraflon Platinum coatings are REACH compliant and specifically formulated without TGIC (triglycidyl isocyanurate), PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), fluorosurfactants, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), HAPs (hazardous air pollutants), Living Building Challenge (LBC) Red List substances and SVHCs (substances of very high concern).
PPG’s Legacy of Innovation Continues
Four years after its debut in the building products industry, new testing data confirms that patent-pending PPG Coraflon Platinum remains an industry benchmark technology for colorfastness and gloss retention, lauded for its transfer efficiency, broad gloss spectrum and corrosion resistance.
As demand for architectural aluminum shows no signs of slowing, PPG will continue to invest in the development of advanced solutions that redefine what’s possible in the protection and beautification of commercial, architectural and monumental building applications.
Additional Performance Benefits & Features
PPG Coraflon Platinum powder has a host of performance properties and benefits which offer benefits to applicators, architects and designers.
- All colors meet FGIA/AAMA 2605 spec.
- High transfer efficiency: > 20% improvement over standard FEVE leading to significantly less waste.
- Extended gloss range of 5-85 (vs. 25-70 for FEVE product).
- Anodized appearance is achievable with Platinum due to low gloss capability.
- Improved corrosion performance on aluminum.
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For PPG Coraflon Platinum specs, data sheets, and more, visit PPG.com.