F

Fading
Gradual Loss of colour, due to a chemical or physical change, usually caused by UV light.

Fan Pattern
Geometry or shape of the spray pattern.

Faraday Cage Effect
A condition that may exist on a substrate due to its shape or configuration, that it may inhibit the electrostatic application of powder particles at the specific localised area, such as cavities and recesses.

Fatty Edge
Thick film sometimes found on heavy coated work, resulting in a rounded thicker coating on (usually) the lower edge. Sometimes called picture framing.

FDA
Federal Food and Drug Administration.

Feed Hopper
A container that holds the powder for the supply to the guns. Often designed to be fluidised.

Ferrous
Contains iron.

Filiform Corrosion
Corrosion or creep resembling a tread like structure under the coating, usually from a point of film breakdown or damage. Caused by poor or lack of pre-treatment.

Filler
Extender, bulking agent or inert pigment.

Film Build
The coating thickness.

Film Integrity
Degree of continuity of a paint film.

Film Thickness
Depth of cured coatings, usually in microns or thousands of an inch.

Film Thickness Gauge
Instrument for measuring film thickness.

Film Weight
The weight of powder applied. Also often used as a description of film thickness.

Filter
A filament designed to remove small particles from the air supply.

Fines
Small powder particles, Usually under 10 microns.

Fish Eyes
A large surface depression in a coating film often caused by contamination such as oil or silicone oil.

Flammable
Easy to ignite, capable of burning with ease.

Flexibility
Ability of a film to be bent without damage or cracking after application to a substrate.

Flip - Flop
A characteristic of metallic coatings to change colour when viewed at different angles.

Flow Measurement of self-levelling
Characteristic of a coating allowing it to level into a smooth film of uniform thickness during the cure process.

Flow Additive
Substance added to a formulation to minimise defects and produce a uniform film.

Fluidised
A term that describes powder that is in a state of suspension using compressed air, creating a fluid mixture of air powder.

Fluidised Bed
A container in which powder is suspended in a continuous stream of air.

Fusion
The melting and flow of individual powder particles under the influence of heat to form a continuous film.

Fusion Point
The temperature at which the powder is melted to form a liquid film.