Hold Time Calculator

Calculate minimum cure hold times for powder coatings

How Hold Time Calculation Works

⚗️ Chemistry Factors

Different powder chemistries have different cure kinetics. Polyester-TGIC cures faster than pure epoxy systems.

🌡️ Temperature Impact

Higher temperatures accelerate cure reactions. Each 10°C increase roughly halves cure time.

📏 Thickness Effect

Thicker films take longer to cure completely due to heat transfer limitations and mass transport.

Standard Hold Time Requirements

Standard Minimum Temperature Minimum Hold Time Notes
QUALICOAT 180°C (Class 1), 200°C (Class 2) 10 minutes Metal temperature
ISO 2368 Powder-dependent Per manufacturer Typically 180°C × 10min
AAMA 2604 180°C 20 minutes Architectural grade
AAMA 2605 200°C 20 minutes Superior performance

Hold Time Best Practices

✅ Best Practices

  • Measure metal temperature, not air temperature
  • Account for part thickness and thermal mass
  • Allow extra time for complex geometries
  • Consider oven loading and airflow patterns
  • Document actual vs. calculated times
  • Perform cure validation testing

❌ Common Mistakes

  • Using air temperature instead of part temperature
  • Insufficient hold time for thick films
  • Ignoring substrate thermal properties
  • Not accounting for oven recovery time
  • Rushing cure cycles to save energy
  • Skipping cure validation tests