Today, metal coatings come in all colors, textures and patterns, and as companies continue to create innovative and technologically advanced solutions, it is no surprise the foundation of their success stems from PVDF resin-based coatings. No matter what district you live in or what your profession is, chances are PVDF coatings are a part of your life without you even knowing. Exterior metal paneling all throughout the world is clad with PVDF coating. So, what are PVDF coatings and how have they become a staple in the industry?
Polyvinylidene Difluoride (PVDF)
/noun: the fluoropolymer resin used in exterior metal coatings for durability and resistance to weathering
Originally introduced to the market in 1965, 70 % polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) coatings have steadily become one of the most popular and respected coil and extrusion coatings available on the market.
Over the last half-century, no other architectural product has more decisively withstood the test of time than 70 percent PVDF resin-based coatings. Continuous technological improvements have contributed to the longevity of PVDF, resulting in additional formulations and practices for applications that have distinct requirements.
Two of the most widely recognized brands of PVDF resins are Hylar® by Solvay Solexis and Kynar® by Arkema Inc. Both offer comparable performance per industry standards for weathering.
Benefits of PVDF Aluminum Coil
PVDF coated metal panels are trusted worldwide to clad monumental architecture.
PVDF paints have proven their ability to provide long-lasting color retention and durable resistance against weathering and abrasions. These two benefits have led architects and designers around the world to choose PVDF coatings to protect their metal architecture.
Additional benefits include:
1.Outstanding Color Retention
Inorganic pigments combine with premium resins to determine the color, vibrancy, durability and aesthetic quality of a finished coating. Pigments are the key ingredient in coatings that make it possible to create any color imaginable for metal architecture.
2.Gloss Ranges
Gloss ranges refer to the sheen or glossiness of a paint finish. Metal coatings come in a range of gloss options ideal for different applications. Most PVDF formulas use a standard gloss level.
3.Film Integrity and Coating Adhesion Quality
One of the defining features of PVDF coatings, are their erosion rate, or the amount of time at which a coating degrades. The erosion rates of PVDF coatings are relatively small, an essential factor for their advanced color and design longevity. The quality of PVDF coating adhesion depends on the superiority of the primer that adheres to the substrate. The primer is meant to create a strong bond with the PVDF topcoat, which helps resist the stresses of forming and weathering.
4.Chalk and Fade Resistance
In order to ensure protection against chalking and fading, the correct formulation is crucial. Carbon-fluorine bonds are one of the strongest chemical bonds available. It’s this mix of ingredients that gives PVDF paints their stubborn resistance to chalking and erosion, as well as harsh airborne industrial and atmospheric pollutants.
5.UV Resistance
Of any polymer used within coatings today, PVDF coatings are the leaders when it comes to UV resistance, delivering an eco-friendly way to resist heat absorption from the sun. PVDF coatings not only help lower energy cooling costs and keep interior spaces more comfortable, but do so without sacrificing durability, performance or beauty.