Through hardening

The through-hardening of a coating describes the process in which it reaches its final hardness and strength in order to withstand mechanical, chemical and thermal loads. It is a decisive factor in ensuring the service hardness of the coating. Hardness in use refers to the state in which the coating develops its full performance and is resistant to external influences such as abrasion, scratches or chemical attack.

Depending on the coating material, through-hardening is achieved by physical, chemical or combined processes. Examples include the evaporation of solvents in solvent-based paints, polymerization in powder coatings or the cross-linking of molecular structures in two-component systems. Temperature, time and ambient conditions such as humidity play an important role here.

Complete curing is crucial to ensure the long-term functionality and durability of the coating. Particularly in areas with high mechanical loads or aggressive environmental conditions, such as in industry or construction, the coating must reach its service hardness before it is used for its intended purpose.