HEDA SHELVES uses a controlled pallet rack coating process for pallet racking projects, starting with acid washing and phosphating and continuing through automated electrostatic powder coating, curing, testing, and quality documentation.
In this article, we will show you how HEDA SHELVES processes pallet rack coating, why HEDA uses acid washing and phosphating, how the automated coating line controls coating thickness, and how HEDA selects standard or outdoor-grade powder coating for different warehouse environments.
Key Takeaways
- The coating applied after acid washing and phosphating has higher adhesion and a longer coating service life.
- HEDA SHELVES uses an automated electrostatic powder-coating line to achieve uniform coating thickness, stable production output, and multiple RAL Color customization options.
- HEDA SHELVES' standard powder coating can withstand temperatures down to -40°C and can be used across different warehouse environments, from standard warehouses to cold storage.
- Compared with ball-milling processes, acid washing provides a more uniform surface and stronger resistance to coating peeling.
- HEDA SHELVES' powder coating is supported by CE, RoHS, and ISO qualifications/certifications and complete testing reports, providing documentation for large warehouse projects with formal qualification requirements.
What Is Pallet Rack Coating?
Pallet rack coating is the surface coating applied to the steel components of a pallet racking system. HEDA SHELVES uses powder coating after chemical surface treatment. The process starts with acid washing and phosphating, followed by automated electrostatic powder coating and curing.
HEDA SHELVES controls the process from the steel surface preparation stage rather than applying powder directly to untreated steel.
The coating process is used across HEDA's pallet racking products, including pallet racking systems, cantilever racking, and storage mezzanines.
For this article, the main focus is pallet rack coating, with the same coating process available for other HEDA storage products where specified.
How Does HEDA SHELVES Process Pallet Rack Coating?
RAW Steel → Acid washing → Phosphating → Automated electrostatic powder coating →200 degree Curing → Inspection and testing
Each stage has a specific function.
Acid washing removes rolling oxide scale and mineral oil from the steel surface. Phosphating provides additional chemical surface treatment before powder coating.
After pretreatment, HEDA transfers the components to its automated electrostatic powder-coating line. The powder is applied to the prepared steel surface and then cured to form the finished coating.
HEDA can subsequently provide coating test reports and physical coating test evidence for project requirements.
This process gives HEDA control over both the surface underneath the coating and the coating applied to the surface.
Why Does HEDA SHELVES Use Acid Washing and Phosphating?
HEDA SHELVES uses acid washing to remove mineral oil, and other surface contaminants from pallet rack components.
These contaminants can remain on steel after rolling and fabrication. Removing them before powder coating gives the coating a cleaner and more suitable surface to bond to.
HEDA then applies phosphating as part of the chemical surface-treatment process.
The combination of acid washing and phosphating improves the condition of the steel surface before powder coating and supports stronger coating adhesion.
Higher coating adhesion and longer service life. HEDA's coating process focuses on the interface between the steel and the coating.
When the surface is properly prepared, the powder coating has a better foundation for adhesion. Stronger adhesion reduces the likelihood of coating separation during handling and service.
For pallet racking, this matters during transportation, installation, loading, and daily warehouse operation.
HEDA therefore uses acid washing and phosphating before powder coating to achieve higher coating adhesion and longer coating service life.
Acid Washing vs. Ball Milling for Pallet Rack Coating
HEDA SHELVES uses acid washing rather than relying on ball milling as the surface-treatment method for its pallet rack coating process.
Ball milling uses mechanical abrasion to treat the steel surface.
Acid washing uses chemical treatment to remove surface contaminants and prepare the steel before phosphating and powder coating.
For pallet rack components with different profiles, bends, edges, holes, and structural surfaces, HEDA uses acid washing to achieve a more uniform surface condition before coating.
This difference affects the coating process.
A more uniform surface gives the powder coating a more consistent substrate to bond to. HEDA therefore achieves stronger resistance to coating peeling through the combination of chemical surface treatment and powder coating.
The key process difference is:
- Ball milling: mechanical surface treatment
- HEDA acid washing: chemical surface treatment followed by phosphating
HEDA selects acid washing because it provides the surface condition required for its pallet rack coating process.
HEDA SHELVES Automated Electrostatic Powder Coating Line
After acid washing and phosphating, HEDA SHELVES sends the pallet rack components through an automated electrostatic powder-coating production line.
The automated line controls the powder application process and helps maintain consistent coating coverage across the components.
This is particularly important for large pallet racking orders.
A pallet rack project may contain thousands of uprights, beams, braces, panels, and other components. HEDA needs to maintain the specified coating standard throughout production rather than only on individual samples.
The automated electrostatic coating line provides:
- More uniform coating thickness
- Stable production output
- Consistent coating application
- Repeatable production quality
- HEDA can also accept multiple RAL Color specifications for project requirements.
RAL Color Customization for Pallet Racking
HEDA SHELVES accepts multiple RAL Color customization options for pallet racking projects. Project requirements may specify a particular RAL color for the entire racking system or different colors for different storage areas.
HEDA incorporates the specified color into the powder-coating production process. The automated coating line allows HEDA to manage customized colors while maintaining the same controlled coating process. For global pallet racking projects, this gives buyers greater flexibility when their warehouse design or technical specification requires a specific RAL Color.
Can Standard Pallet Rack Coating Be Used in Cold Storage?
HEDA SHELVES' standard powder coating can be used for applications with temperatures down to -40°C, subject to the specific project requirements and coating specification.
This allows HEDA's standard coating solution to cover different warehouse environments, including conventional warehouse storage and cold-storage applications.The operating temperature should be provided during project specification so that HEDA can confirm the appropriate coating requirements before production.
For a cold-storage project, HEDA can therefore evaluate the coating requirement according to the specified operating temperature rather than applying the same coating specification without considering the environment.
Pallet Rack Coating Applications
Standard Warehouse Storage
HEDA SHELVES' standard powder coating is suitable for conventional indoor warehouse and logistics applications.
The automated coating line provides consistent application, while multiple RAL Color options allow the finished racking to follow the project specification.
Cold Storage
HEDA's standard powder coating can be used for applications down to -40°C, subject to the specified project requirements.
This allows the same coating solution to be considered for both conventional warehouse storage and cold-storage environments.
Outdoor Building-Material Storage
For outdoor building-material storage, HEDA provides outdoor-grade powder coating.
The different outdoor formulation provides improved weather resistance, corrosion resistance, color retention, and resistance to coating peeling.
Large Warehouse Projects
For large warehouse and engineering projects, HEDA can provide coating test reports together with relevant CE, RoHS, and ISO documentation.
This supports supplier qualification and technical approval requirements during procurement.
Conclusion
HEDA then uses an automated electrostatic powder-coating production line to control coating application, maintain uniform coating thickness, stabilize production output, and support multiple RAL Color customization options.
For different warehouse environments, HEDA provides standard powder coating for applications down to -40°C and outdoor-grade powder coating with a different formulation for weather-exposed applications such as outdoor building-material storage.
HEDA also provides powder-coating test reports, physical test evidence, CE, RoHS, and ISO documentation for project requirements.
For pallet racking projects, HEDA SHELVES provides the coating process, coating options, testing, and documentation required to specify the right Pallet Rack Coating for the application. Finding High Quality Storage Rack? Contact Us.
FAQ
What is pallet rack coating?
Pallet rack coating is the protective powder coating applied to steel pallet racking components after surface preparation. HEDA SHELVES uses acid washing and phosphating before applying powder coating through an automated electrostatic coating line.
Why does HEDA SHELVES use acid washing?
HEDA uses acid washing to remove rolling oxide scale, mineral oil, and other surface contaminants before phosphating and powder coating. This provides a more uniform surface and improves coating adhesion.
Is acid washing better than ball milling?
HEDA uses acid washing because it provides a more uniform chemical surface treatment for pallet rack components. HEDA then applies phosphating and powder coating to this prepared surface, supporting stronger resistance to coating peeling.
Can HEDA SHELVES provide custom RAL Colors?
Yes. HEDA SHELVES accepts multiple RAL Color specifications for pallet racking projects.
Can HEDA pallet rack coating be used at -40°C?
HEDA's standard powder coating can be used for applications down to -40°C, subject to the specific project requirements and coating specification.
What is outdoor-grade powder coating?
HEDA's outdoor-grade powder coating uses a different formulation specifically for weather-exposed applications. It provides improved weather resistance, corrosion resistance, color retention, and resistance to coating peeling.
Is outdoor-grade powder coating more expensive?
Yes. HEDA's outdoor-grade powder coating uses a specialized formulation for outdoor applications, resulting in a higher coating cost than the standard powder-coating option.
Can HEDA provide powder-coating test reports?
Yes. HEDA SHELVES can provide complete powder-coating test reports, physical coating test photographs, and test videos according to project requirements.
Does HEDA SHELVES have CE, RoHS and ISO certifications?
Yes. HEDA SHELVES has relevant CE, RoHS, and ISO qualifications/certifications and can provide supporting documentation for project requirements.