SUCCESS STORIES
PIMC Now Also Available in a Metallic Look New formulas and raw materials offer new opportunities: FreiLacke has expanded its Powder In-Mould Coating (PIMC) portfolio and becomes the only manufacturer to offer metallic colour shades for this process. This development was triggered by a facade engineering customer. FreiLacke’s coating experts successfully made it happen in just three months.
P
lastics are popular because of their low dead weight and an
against chemicals, graffiti and UV radiation.
extremely high dimensional stability.
Globally, this process had previously only been available for standard
That makes them an all-rounder for countless industries
RAL colours. FreiLacke researchers managed to expand the spectrum
and applications. Such as the Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC) and
by adding three metallic colour shades – standard, pearl lustre and
the Bulk Moulding Compound (BMC): here, panel-shaped, doughy
silver. Additional colour shades will follow soon.
masses made of thermoplastic reaction resins and glass fibres are
“The challenge with metallic colour shades is that the application
pressed into their future shapes.
on a hot mould surface results in an uneven effect following the
A powder coating can be integrated directly into the pressing
alignment of the metallic particles after the coating process”, explains
process. The powder coating is sprayed into a mould and hardens
Daniel Hauser, one of FreiLacke’s laboratory technicians. “The
within a few seconds.
effect formation in the case of PIMC is vastly different than that of
The SMC/BMC can be inserted and pressed right away. During the
conventional coatings. We were able to overcome this challenge by
hot-pressing process, the powder coating then enters into a chemical
using new formulas and innovative raw materials”.
bond with the material. It is scratch resistant and very resistant
© FreiLacke
The challenge with metallic tones is that the application on a hot mould surface produces an uneven effect.
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N. 71 - SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 - international PAINT&COATING magazine
