Method of coating a substrate and corresponding apparatus
AssigneeMaterial Sciences Corporation
InventorsDouglas E. Edwards, Mark R. Monterastelli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for coating sheet material with thermoset material. In certain embodiments, first and second different induction furnaces are provided, with the coated sheet first proceeding into and through the first furnace, and then into and through the second furnace. The first furnace may be maintained at a temperature less than the second furnace, so that out-gassing of volatile materials is achieved in the first furnace and thereafter heightened cross-linking conversation rates are achieved in the second furnace at higher temperature(s).
Claims14
A method of making a coated article comprising the steps of:
- electrostatically applying a thermoset powder coating onto at least one major surface of a continuously moving substrate thereby providing a thermoset coated substrate;
- moving the thermoset coated substrate into a first rapid response oven and heating the thermoset powder coating to a first temperature in the first rapid response oven sufficient to substantially melt the thermoset powder;
- moving the thermoset coated substrate from the first rapid response oven into a rapid response oven and heating the thermoset coating to a second temperature in the second rapid response oven sufficient to effect substantial cross linking of the thermoset, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature;
- and
- moving the substrate with cured thermoset coating thereon from the second rapid response oven to a quenching area for quenching.
A method of making a coated article comprising the steps of:
- electrostatically applying a thermoset powder coating onto at least one major surface of a continuously moving sheet thereby providing a thermoset coated sheet;
- moving the thermoset coated sheet into a first induction oven and heating the thermoset powder coating thereon to a first temperature in the first induction oven to substantially melt the thermoset powder and achieve a first rate of thermoset cross linking;
- moving the thermoset coated sheet from the first induction oven into a second induction oven and heating the thermoset coating thereon to a second temperature in the second induction oven to achieve a second rate of thermoset cross linking higher than the first rate, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature, thereby curing the thermoset coating in the second induction oven.
A system for manufacturing a coated article, comprising:
- a) a chamber for electrostatically applying a thermoset powder coated to a substrate;
- b) first and second spaced rapid response oven operably associated with said chamber, said first oven for heating the substrate and thereby the powder to a first temperature sufficient to melt the powder and said second oven for heating the substrate to a second temperature higher than the first temperature in order to effect crosslinking of the powder;
- c) said first and second ovens being spaced sufficient to permit the powder melted in said first oven to be degassed prior to entering said second oven;
- and
- d) a quench station downstream of said second oven for quenching the cross-linked powder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.