Spraying process of sports equipment molds: building a solid barrier against corrosion and weather resistance

In the manufacturing process of sports equipment, the mold is a key tool for molding, and its performance and quality directly affect the quality and durability of the final product. Especially for sports equipment used outdoors or in high humidity environments, the corrosion resistance and weather resistance of the mold are particularly important. In order to meet these challenges, the spraying process has become a key link in improving mold performance.

In the manufacturing process of sports equipment molds, the spraying process is not only a consideration of aesthetics, but also an important guarantee for mold performance and service life. Through spraying, one or more functional coatings can be formed on the surface of the mold. These coatings can resist the erosion of environmental factors such as moisture, oxygen, and ultraviolet rays, effectively extend the service life of the mold, and reduce performance degradation caused by corrosion or aging.

Selecting the right coating is the first and most critical step in the spraying process. The coating of sports equipment molds must have the following characteristics:
Excellent corrosion resistance: The coating should be able to effectively isolate the mold surface from contact with corrosive media to prevent surface damage and performance degradation caused by corrosion.
Good weather resistance: In outdoor or high humidity environments, the coating must be able to resist ultraviolet radiation and drastic temperature changes to maintain the stability and integrity of the coating.
Excellent adhesion: The coating should be able to closely bond with the mold surface to form a firm coating to avoid peeling or cracking during use.
Good wear resistance: The mold will experience frequent friction and wear during use, so the coating must have a certain wear resistance to maintain the flatness and finish of the mold surface.
Common types of coatings include epoxy resin, polyurethane, acrylic, fluorocarbon paint, etc. Each coating has its own unique properties and application scenarios. When choosing a coating, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the mold's use environment, performance requirements, cost budget and other factors to select the most suitable type of coating.
Before spraying, the mold needs to undergo a series of pretreatment work to ensure the adhesion of the coating and the quality of the coating. These pretreatment works include:
Cleaning: Use solvents or detergents to thoroughly clean the mold surface to remove impurities such as oil, dust, and old coatings to ensure that the surface is clean and free of dirt.
Rust removal: For rusted molds, rust removal is required. You can use sandpaper, wire brushes and other tools for manual rust removal, or use sandblasting machines for mechanical rust removal.
Grinding: Use grinding wheels, sandpaper and other tools to grind the mold surface to remove surface unevenness and burrs, improve the adhesion of the paint and the finish of the coating.
Anti-rust treatment: Before spraying, the mold can be treated with anti-rust, such as applying anti-rust oil or anti-rust paint, to further improve the corrosion resistance of the mold.
The implementation of the spraying process includes multiple links such as paint mixing, spraying parameter setting, and spraying operation.
Paint mixing: According to the type and performance requirements of the paint, the paint is mixed, including the selection and addition ratio of the diluent, the mixing of the pigment, etc. The mixed paint needs to be stirred evenly to ensure the quality and performance of the paint.
Setting of spraying parameters: The setting of spraying parameters includes spraying pressure, spraying distance, spraying speed, coating thickness, etc. The setting of these parameters needs to be comprehensively considered according to factors such as the type of coating, the shape and size of the mold, and the requirements of the coating.
Spraying operation: Spraying operation requires the use of professional spraying equipment, such as spray guns, spray pots, etc. During the spraying process, the spraying equipment must be kept clean and stable to ensure uniform spraying of the coating. At the same time, the number of sprayed layers and the drying time between each layer must be controlled to avoid coating quality problems caused by excessive coating thickness or poor drying.

After spraying, the coating needs to be dried and cured. Drying is to evaporate the solvent in the coating so that the coating reaches a certain hardness and adhesion; curing is to make the resin or other curing agent in the coating react chemically to form a stable coating structure.

There are two ways of drying and curing: natural drying and forced drying. Natural drying is to place the sprayed mold in a well-ventilated environment to allow the coating to dry naturally; forced drying is to use drying equipment, such as drying boxes, drying furnaces, etc., to heat and dry the coating.

During the drying and curing process, the temperature and humidity must be strictly controlled to avoid cracks, blistering, discoloration and other quality problems in the coating. At the same time, the coating needs to be inspected and tested regularly to ensure that the performance and quality of the coating meet the requirements.

After spraying, the coating needs to be inspected for quality, including the thickness, hardness, adhesion, corrosion resistance, weather resistance and other indicators of the coating. These tests can be performed using professional testing instruments, such as coating thickness gauges, hardness gauges, adhesion testers, etc.

During use, the coating of the mold needs to be regularly maintained and maintained, such as cleaning, rust prevention, and repair. For damaged coatings, they need to be repaired in time to avoid damage expansion and coating failure.

The spraying process of sports equipment molds is an important means to improve mold performance and service life. By selecting suitable coatings, conducting sufficient pretreatment, implementing precise spraying operations, strictly controlling the drying and curing process, and conducting regular quality inspections and maintenance, it can be ensured that a solid protective film is formed on the mold surface, effectively enhancing the mold's corrosion resistance and weather resistance.