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Automotive Paint Application

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Protective Coatings

Abstract

In recent years, the technology for automotive coating application has evolved from manual art to robotic science. However, despite the radical change in application technology, the principles of spray coating remain unchanged. This chapter reviews the major advances in coating application and develops several important concepts that are foundational for coating process engineers. Beginning with practical paint application, attention is given to the importance of spray fan pattern and overlap in obtaining a smooth uniform film. Then through the derivation of a coating equation, improved comprehension of the factors related to deposited film thickness can be gained. Practical application is followed by a more technical overview of the characteristics of atomization by pneumatic spray guns and high-speed rotary bells. Equations for each provide insight to the associated atomizer and paint variables. At the end, a brief introduction of electrostatic deposition is also given.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines RACT as “the lowest emission limitation that a particular source is capable of meeting by the application of control technology that is reasonably available considering technological and economic feasibility” 44 FR 53761 (Sept. 17, 1979).

  2. 2.

    Axalta Coating Systems defines Harmonized Coating Technologies as formulations or application systems designed to increase productivity, save energy, and reduce costs in vehicle manufacture.

  3. 3.

    Use the decimal form of all percentages in each of the following equations.

  4. 4.

    Large droplets have lower surface area to volume ratio than small droplets.

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Acknowledgments

The author recognizes technicians Scott P. Ryan, Doug Zachwieja, and Andrea Robinson for their contribution to the experimental work on spray characterization and high-speed photography. Thanks also to Axalta European colleagues Peter Minko and Sven Radek for background on consolidated coating system as well as North American colleagues Joseph Maglich, Mike Koerner, and Eric Houze for reviewing and correcting content. Very special thanks to Kevin R. Ellwood of Ford Research and Innovation Center in Dearborn Michigan for his review and feedback on this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Axalta Coating Systems, Coatings Technology Center, Wilmington, DE, USA

    John R. Moore

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  1. John R. Moore
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Correspondence to John R. Moore .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Axalta Coating Systems, Coatings Technology Center, Wilmington, Delaware, USA

    Mei Wen

  2. Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic

    Karel Dušek

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Moore, J.R. (2017). Automotive Paint Application. In: Wen, M., Dušek, K. (eds) Protective Coatings. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51627-1_21

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