With Bundeswehr approval according to VG 95211 Highly weather-resistant powder coating with F9 release and WIWeB approval

Aside from excellent camouflage in near IR spectral range, very high surface hardness, good mechanical parameters and good resistance to chemicals, Premium Polyester Powder 5936 has excellent weathering resistance, gloss and color stability as well as corrosion protection. In addition, the powder coating can be painted over, has very good adhesion and bonding properties. These properties were also very important aspects for Knapp Service Koblenz GmbH, since the surfaces coated with Premium Polyester Powder 5936 also have to withstand a lot inside the vehicles. The best example is the side windows, which were specially manufactured for this vehicle from an aluminum plate and replace the rear side windows made of glass. To fit an antenna, an antenna holder is mounted on the outside of the powder-coated aluminum plate.

A cable duct is bonded to the inside of this aluminum panel. “The properties of Premium Polyester Powder 5936 make it possible that the cable duct can now simply be glued on and welding is no longer necessary,” says Mark Kuppert, Head of design at Knapp Service Koblenz GmbH.

By switching to powder, the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the coating process is reduced to zero. Compared with wet coating, powder coating also scores with a reduction in process time, as drying times are eliminated. “Another advantage of powder coating compared to wet paint is the improved material utilization rate. By recovering the powder, less waste is produced than with wet paint, in other words, the application efficiency is higher,” describes Nikola Stefan Rukavina, Technical Consultant at Brillux Industrial Coatings, adding: “The high degree of automation also enables fast and process-reliable processing for powder coaters. Compared to a wet paint, powder is easier to process, as often less to no preparatory work is required, such as sanding, filling and troweling.”

From the initial inquiry to the final documentation in order to ensure the specification is complied with under series production conditions: Brillux Industrial Coatings provided advice and support to both Knapp Service Koblenz GmbH and Nick Stanztechnik GmbH throughout the entire conversion process to the Premium Polyester Powder 5936.

“Since June 2020, the powder coating process commissioned by Knapp Service Koblenz GmbH has been running at Nick Stanztechnik with the desired coating results,” explains Nikola Stefan Rukavina. To start with, the oven settings were adjusted together with the Brillux sales representative, taking into account the stoving parameters. With the help of the gloss level measurement at 60° and 85° angles, the exact compliance with the required dull matt gloss level was also checked.
 

“From daytime running lights to fastening elements and antenna mounts: components designed and manufactured by us and powder-coated by Nick Stanztechnik are installed everywhere in the G300 Greenliner. Thanks to the great, constructive cooperation with Nick Stanztechnik and Brillux Industrial Coatings, we were able to quickly optimize the coating process and achieved very good results. The final documentation of the defined parameters now ensures a series coating whose coating result fulfills all product characteristics according to specifications," summarized Michael Krause.