Flash IR pre-curing of the decorative layer in metal-flake powder coatings

- A novel curing procedure for bilayer coatings is proposed.
- Flash IR pre-curing of the base coat promotes the formation of a surface diffusion barrier.
- The barrier layer limits movement of the decorative pigments and metal flakes.
- Oven baking after deposition of the top coat completes curing of the bilayer coating.
- Hybrid IR/oven baking is suited to obtain high performance bilayer coatings.