Powder Coating Guns: There are two basic types of powder coating systems to consider, each with their own strengths and weaknesses: Corona and Tribo. The core difference is the way the powder is transported from the powder coating gun to the part. The primary force for material transport in Corona powder coating system is an electric field established between the charged powder cloud and the part. In the Tribo powder coating system, material transport is from the velocity at which the powder is liberated from the powder coating gun, that is, from the air flow provided by compressed air.

Corona powder coating guns use a high-voltage generator to disassociate air and produce a stream of negative or positive ions, which in turn imparts a like charge to the powder cloud. The potentials of the charged cloud and gun electrode combine to generate an electric field with the opposite pole (the part). Charged powder particles at the gun seek the lower potential of the opposite pole (the part).

Another fundamental difference between Corona and Tribo powder coating systems is the method in which the powder particles become electrically charged. The Corona gun uses a high voltage generator to charge an electrode to a high potential relative to the part. The charged electrode disassociates air and generates a flood of charged particles, effectively charging the powder cloud, creating a charged field with the opposite pole.

In contrast, the Tribo gun imparts a charge to the powder strictly by physical contact and movement between the powder and a surface capable of donating or receiving electrons. Powder transport is strictly by the velocity at which the powder is liberated from the gun.

Generally speaking, tribo technology is the best choice when:

• applications requiring the best possible appearance,
• parts constructed of materials with low charge conductivity, part geometry's susceptible to the generation of Faraday cage areas,
• applying powders with a low degree of abrasivety, such as many non-metallics,
• parts requiring a thin coating,
• parts requiring the highest degree of coating uniformity,
• touchup applications,
• epoxy coatings.

While generally speaking, corona technology is the best choice for:

• parts constructed of materials with a higher charge conductivity,
• part geometry's not susceptible to the generation of Faraday cage areas,
• applying powders with a high degree of abrasivety, such as many metallics,
• parts requiring a relatively thick coating.
• multiple custom coats