Industrial Coatings 

Coatings that are applied to both civil and military aircraft and helicopters. The military applications often involve compliance with a range of defence specifications and requirements.

Coatings that are applied to cars, vans, lorries, trailers etc. The difference in the two terms is that automotive coatings are those that are applied during the manufacture of the vehicle and vehicle refinish coatings are those that are applied in bodyshops during accident repairs. Automotive coatings are 'factory' applied but vehicle refinish are applied in a variety of environments. The latter are subject of strict controls due to some of the ingredients involved and the publications below should be read by those involved in the application of these coatings.

A range of very specialised coatings that are applied at low thickness but provide a high degree of protection. These coatings are used for both internal and external coating on food and drink cans. Any coating that is used internally has to be approved for food contact.

Special coatings designed for use on plastic substrates, such as car bumpers, dashboards and grills, plastic toys and electronics.

Coatings applied to metal sheets - often starting as large coils of steel which are then formed into a wide range of uses e.g. domestic appliances such as washing machines, automotive parts and composite panels for prestigious buildings.

This terminology is used to cover a range of coatings which have a wide range of applications to steel, iron and aluminium as well as to glass, plastic and wood. These coatings include both air drying and stoving coatings and will include coatings across a wide range of uses such as nuts and bolts, office furniture, toolboxes, transformers, power plant, transport containers and agricultural and construction equipment. The term will include coatings that are defined and listed separately such as coil and high performance coatings.

Coatings that are also known as protective coatings and are the coatings applied to structural steelwork such as bridges, oil and gas rigs, structures such as stadiums and warehouses and chemical plants. These coatings are designed to have both high corrosion resistance and also good cosmetic appearance. These coatings will resist adverse weather, corrosive atmospheres and chemicals and they will provide durability to structures. In this sector coatings will have to meet a wide range of requirements through specifications and standards before they can be used. Equally important to their long term performance is the preparation of the substrate and good application practices.

Intumescent coatings are applied to structural steelwork and other construction elements to help maintain structural integrity of the building and provide fire resistance. Whilst they may look like an ordinary coating when applied, if a little thicker than normal, intumescent coatings react when exposed to fire, swelling up and producing an insulating layer that will protect the substrate. Coatings have to meet certain test requirements and BCF members ensure their products have third party certification on their performance. BCF has an Intumescent Coatings Group, a major group of manufacturers and suppliers of intumescent coatings, who are committed to promoting professional standards in quality and performance and to creating common guidance for the testing, assessment, installation and inspection of intumescent coatings. The Group is supported by fire testing laboratories, Warringtonfire, UL, and BRE Global. In addition, manufacturers work closely with the Association of Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP), representing applicators and others.

Coatings applied to all sizes of ships and boats and will cover tankers, cruise ships, tugs and yachts. The coatings cover topsides, above the waterline, and antifouling coatings which are applied to minimise marine fouling and reduce ships' drag through the water. All antifouling coatings are strictly controlled by both the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) and in the EU by the Biocidal Products Regulation. The coatings cover those used by professional applicators and also those used by amateurs in marinas and boatyards. The Marine Coatings Forum is a group that brings together marine coatings manufacturers, shipyards and the Ministry of Defence to discuss common issues. Further details about this Forum will be uploaded here as they become available. DIY users of coatings should follow strict controls which are set out by the British Marine Federation www.britishmarine.co.uk.

Powder coatings may be described as 100% solid paint which comprises a homogeneous blend of polymers, pigments and additives produced in the form of a fine powder. The powder is applied, most commonly, by means of a spray gun that imparts an electrical charge on the powder particles and directs them towards the object to be coated. The object is then subjected to heat which causes the powder to melt, flow out and form a tough, coherent film.

Powder coatings may be thermoplastic or thermosetting. Thermosetting powders undergo chemical cross-linking when heated and will not melt again under heat; whereas thermoplastic powders use heat to melt and re-solidify and do not crosslink.

This sector includes:

• Architectural
• Automotive
• Domestic Appliance
• General Industrial
• Packaging
• Furniture

Please see here for a list of  BCF Members who are powder coating manufacturers.

Click here to download our Powder Coatings Glossary of Terms.

The term used to cover those coatings used as industrial wood coatings. These are coatings applied in factories to wood for a range of uses, which include office furniture, kitchen and bathroom fittings, general furniture and industrial joinery. These are different to 'wood care' coatings which are the DIY coatings such as wood varnishes and coatings for fences and decking etc.