Arcdura PE 320 TGIC-Free Architectural Polyester
Standard exterior polyester powder of the Arcdura range, crosslinked with an HAA hardener so no TGIC is present. It is the grade for outdoor metalwork where colour and gloss have to survive weathering, applied at conventional film build.
Grade Arcdura PE 320 | Range Powder Coatings | Technology Thermosetting carboxyl-functional polyester powder with hydroxyalkylamide (HAA) hardener, TGIC-free, solvent-free
Technical Data Sheet
Arcdura PE 320
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
The standard exterior polyester of the range, crosslinked with an HAA hardener so no TGIC is present. It is the grade for architectural aluminium, fencing, railings, gates, street furniture and outdoor fabrication where colour and gloss have to survive weathering. HAA chemistry gives off water as it crosslinks, so film build is deliberately held in the conventional range and a heavy single pass will pinhole.
2. Features
- TGIC-free, HAA crosslinked
- Colour and gloss retention for standard exterior polyester service
- 60 to 80 microns dry film
- Build above roughly 100 microns split across two passes to avoid pinholing
3. Recommended uses
Architectural aluminium, fencing, railings, gates, street furniture and outdoor fabrication.
Substrates. Chromate-free pretreated aluminium extrusion and sheet, hot-dip galvanised steel, pretreated mild steel.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Thermosetting carboxyl-functional polyester powder with hydroxyalkylamide (HAA) hardener, TGIC-free, solvent-free | Formulation |
| Appearance and finish | Fine, free-flowing powder; colour and gloss to order | Visual, against the agreed colour standard |
| Particle size distribution, d50 | 30 to 45 microns | ISO 8130-13, laser diffraction |
| Gel time at 180 degrees C | 25 to 120 s | ISO 8130-6 |
| Inclined plate flow | 15 to 40 mm | ISO 8130-11 |
| Specular gloss | 5 to 95 gloss units at 60 degrees, to order; matt finishes read at 85 degrees and high gloss at 20 degrees | ISO 2813 |
| Adhesion | Cross-cut classification 0, no detachment, at 60 to 80 microns | ISO 2409 |
| Cupping and conical mandrel bend | 5 mm cupping and above without cracking; mandrel bend without cracking at the stated build | ISO 1520 and ISO 6860 |
| Neutral salt spray on pretreated steel | 500 to 1000 h, rated for rusting and blistering; pretreatment governs the result more than the powder does | ISO 9227, rated to ISO 4628-2 for blistering and ISO 4628-3 for rusting |
| Accelerated weathering, gloss retention | Quoted at 1000 h exposure, as a standard polyester | ISO 16474-3 fluorescent UV, or ISO 16474-2 where a xenon cycle is specified |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Application method | Electrostatic corona or tribostatic spray |
| Surface preparation | Chromate-free pretreated aluminium extrusion and sheet, hot-dip galvanised steel or pretreated mild steel, clean and dry. Galvanised work is degassed before the powder is applied. |
| Dilution or thinner | None; applied as supplied, solvent-free |
| Dry film thickness | 60 to 80 microns, checked to ISO 2360 on aluminium and ISO 2178 on steel |
| Heavier build | HAA crosslinking gives off water, so build above roughly 100 microns is split across two passes, with the first coat gelled or part cured before the second is applied and the full schedule given after the second coat; a heavy single pass, or two coats cured once, will pinhole. The inter-coat schedule is agreed with Arctic technical service |
| Cure schedule | 10 to 15 min at 180 to 200 degrees C object temperature, confirmed with a data-logging oven profiler; oven air temperature is not the cure figure |
Process. Electrostatic corona or tribostatic spray, 60 to 80 microns dry film. Typical cure 10 to 15 minutes at 180 to 200 degrees C object temperature. Build above roughly 100 microns should be split across two passes.
6. Storage and handling
Store sealed in the original packaging in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources, and let cartons reach workshop temperature before opening so that condensation does not form on the powder. Shelf life is stated on the label and Certificate of Analysis. Handle and use the product in line with its Safety Data Sheet.
7. Safety and regulatory information
Read the Safety Data Sheet before use. Safety Data Sheets and regulatory declarations are issued by our technical centre against the product and batch supplied, so they are sent on request rather than published. Request a Safety Data Sheet or declaration.
This Technical Data Sheet is published for on-screen reference. The information is given in good faith from laboratory and application experience and describes typical values; it is not a specification and does not replace a trial on your own substrate and line. Arctic Materials may revise this sheet without notice. Issue 2026.09.
Technical Data Sheets on this site are for on-screen viewing. For a controlled copy, write to tech@arcticmaterials.com.
Other grades in this range
Need a Safety Data Sheet, a regulatory declaration or a grade specified to your line? Contact our technical centre.