Powder Coating Troubleshooting Guide

Chapter Five: Measuring Up the Product

Calculating Specific Gravity and Why It Affects Coverage

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Coverage Example

ABC Fabrication is getting a price on coating 120,000 sq. ft. of

sheet metal from two different companies using a film Company Z price is $2.58/lb and SG=1.28
thickness of 2.25 mils.

Company X is asking $2.28 per pound, and Company Z is

asking $2.58 per pound. At 30¢ less per pound Company X is
12% lower and appears to have the better price. But look
closer.

Company X price is $2.28/lb and SG=1.68  

So the real savings is with Company Z, $778 in material costs.

It continues to add up, 576 fewer pounds of powder means
less freight costs. And since there is less powder there is less
time and wear on the spraying machines. Specific gravity is
an important factor in determining coverage and cost per
square foot.

Though powder is purchased by the pound it is applied by volume. Therefore purchasing powders with a lower weight per volume will coat
more square footage of substrate.

Other Chapters

Early Powder Coatings, Uses, and Types

Manufacturing of Powder Coatings
Powder Chemistries, Formulations, Comparisons, and Uses Contact