lastic coatings — They’re not the most titillating subject at first glance. Coatings are not a commodity like acrylic, polycarbonate, nylon, Delrin or UHMW, so they’re not as easy to sell as common plastics. As a distributor you might be asking yourself, “So why would I bother learning about plastic coatings?” This article will open your eyes to the major categories of coatings, how easy they are to sell and the money to be made.

First and foremost, what do coatings do? Simply put, they change the surface of the substrate. A coated surface is more durable and longer lasting compared to an uncoated surface. Additionally, coated products are easy to clean with a variety of common cleaners. Coating a sheet of plastic transforms it from a commodity with a low gross profit to a niche item with a higher GP.

The most widely used category of coating is abrasion or mar resistant. These coatings change the surface of the substrate to make it less prone to scratches and damage. They can be applied to a variety of plastic sheet products including polycarbonate, acrylics, PVC and PETG. Abrasion or mar resistant coatings should be sold for applications in high traffic areas. If you reach out to me at j.barricks@sctech.com, I can send you a list.

Next up are electrostatic dissipative coatings – those in the industry commonly use the acronym ESD. These coatings remove static charge from surfaces. To illustrate what static charge looks like on a plastic surface, imagine pulling the masking off a sheet of acrylic or polycarbonate. The masking comes off, and everything in the air around it immediately clings to the sheet. With ESD that’s gone.

Why is eliminating static charge important? In electronic applications, static discharge can short out computer chips. That’s why the biggest markets for ESD coated sheets are semiconductor fabrication or production and cleanroom manufacturers. Thinking beyond these markets, SciCron Technologies says in our training seminars, “If it goes ZAP or BOOM, it’s a great place for ESD coated sheets and parts.” Anywhere a spark could cause damage to the product or cause a volatile situation is an area ESD coatings should be considered. Electronics manufacturers, weapons or munitions and mining are all markets with opportunities to sell ESD coatings.

Anti-microbial coatings may sound scary, but they are necessary in a variety of environments. These coatings are ideal for applications in any place where bacterial growth is a concern. Bacteria can grow on uncoated plastic sheets, but a coated sheet prevents bacteria growth.

Electronic scoreboards are a great example of where anti-microbial coatings can be applied. Anyone with teenagers knows how many kids are using those surfaces at any given Saturday sporting event. With multiple hands touching the same surface repeatedly, bacteria can easily be spread. If uncoated, that surface can become a breeding ground. Anti-microbial coatings prohibit that by providing lasting and effective protection against bacteria.

The fourth major category of coating is anti-glare. As the name indicates, these coatings are designed to reduce reflective glares from light sources, allowing for a clear view. When the sun beats down on an uncoated surface, it can become difficult to see through that surface, but when the surface is coated visibility is enhanced. Touch screens and gauge covers are applications that offer great opportunity for anti-glare coating sales.

Plastic coatings can be used in just about any market and application. It adds life and versatility to the substrate and is worth learning more about. If you’re intrigued, contact me and I can send you a PowerPoint that outlines the applications and a deeper dive into the usage of coatings. Happy selling!