The practical application of plastic powder as a protective coating dates to the early 1950's, when the first patent was granted for flame spraying of polyethylene.  Soon after in 1953, Erwin Gemmer of Farbwerke Hoescht in Germany received a patent for his development of the fluidized bed powder coating process.  The fluid-bed concept was not new-it was being used for catalytic hydrocarbon "cracking" and conveying of dry materials in the early 1900's, but its application as a plastic coating with speed and efficiency, sustained a very rapid growth of this coating method in the United States since the mid 1950's.

The race was on the adapt many of the more practical plastics into pulverized form, usually be melt compounding, palletizing and then freeze-grinding to the desired particle size.  Several plastic coatings were introduced: Polyethylene, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Nylon, Celulosic (Cellulose Acetate Butyrate), Epoxy, and Penton (Chlorinated Polyester), watch offering some distinctive characteristics.  Later, in the sixties and seventies, Teflon, thermoplastic and thermoset Polyester, and thermoset Acrylic along with certain Hybrid thermosets were introduced, adding a further variety to the choice of available products.

The market began to separate into two distinct application areas - electrostatic, generally using themoset plastics for thin film (less than 4-5 mils) coatings, and fluid-bed for the heavier protective films (over 6 mils), employing mostly thermoplastic materials.

Polyvinyl Chloride powder formulations have maintained the strongest position and enjoyed the largest thick film market share over the other competitive thermoplastic powders, primarily because of their favorable price-property position, as well as virtually limitless formulating possibilities.

In the Beginning...

Thermoclad Company opened its doors in the fall of 1963, pioneering new PVC powder compounding technology with introduction of the unique "Agglomerate Mix" powder manufacturing process.  This compounding method offered substantial financial advantages over the much costlier freeze grinding method without compromising the plastic's engineering or application properties.

Almost four decades of continuous, intensive product development at Thermoclad offers a vast amount of PVC powder and primer formulating technology for instant referral and application.  Specific requirements for color, weatherability, corrosion resistance, impact resistance, stain resistance, softness or hardness, resistance elevated temperatures and high humidity,  dielectric strength, abrasion, compatibility, processing volatility, FDA Sanction or a certain combination of these properties may achieved by a proper balance of raw materials.

Our Services...

Thermoclad Company offers product and process development and design as well as investigation requiring research into new concepts as a complimentary service to its customers.  Special services provided by Thermoclad have been responsible for development of Fluid-Head continuous wire and wire mesh coating process, and other process and product innovations necessary to accommodate certain operating restrictions or conditions.

Perhaps what we are at Thermoclad consider to be the most valuable combination of services is our ability to serve our accounts with attentive and timely technical service, product availability, quality control, and reproducibility.  We sincerely believe our customers stay with us because we show more enthusiasm...because we have the know how and willingness to help them - whether the need requires a complex study of their operating parameters or simply expediting an order in process.

Where We Go From Here...

We've tried in this website to capsulize the essence of a steady expanding business, its products and services. Thus far we've succeeded in our endeavors by sound use of accepted and proven theorems of our industry, yet backing the unconventional approach to problem solutions when it seemed strategically sound to do so.  Along the way, we have sought to grow with carefully measured moves and to diversify when, and where we thought it would be best suit our clients, and ourselves.

All in all, this seemed to be the sensible formula for all seasons.  It served us well in our formative years and kept us well during difficult times.  And it gives us good reason to believe that our future will be as rewarding as our past!