Q: What is a superdurable powder coating?
A: “Superdurable” refers to a specific type of polyester resin (it can be carboxyl or hydroxyl functional) that has superior UV durability compared to standard polyester resins. These superdurable resins contain a high level of isophthalic acid (IPA), as opposed to terephthalic acid. The high content of IPA provides up to five years of durability in south Florida. Some clearcoats based on this technology have surpassed eight years in south Florida.
A few powder coating manufacturers have adopted the description “superdurable” to their powder product lines. A universal definition has not been established, but it is very important to understand that the ultimate durability of the powder coating not only involves the resin but also all the other components in the formula: pigments, fillers, additives, etc.
A powder based on a superdurable resin will still fail in less than five years’ exposure in Florida if a non-durable pigment or additive is present in the formula. It is most important to specify which durability standards are met by a particular powder coating rather than assume a description like superdurable means the product meets a specification.