Paint, powder & polymer coatings · finish comparison
Electrophoretic Coating vs Epoxy Coating
Electrophoretic Coating and Epoxy Coating are both paint, powder & polymer coatings finishes; e-coat is the lower-cost option ($$).
Electrophoretic Coating
Paint, powder & polymer coatings · $$ · instant quote
E-coating deposits a waterborne organic film on an electrically conductive part by electrophoresis.
Epoxy Coating
Paint, powder & polymer coatings · $$$ · instant quote
Epoxy coating is a crosslinked protective film valued for adhesion, chemical resistance, and barrier protection.
When to choose which
Choose E-coat
E-coat is the pick when its strengths below matter more than Epoxy coat's.
- Typical film thickness is 15–35 µm
- Excellent throwing power reaches recesses and complex frames
- Self-limiting deposition produces comparatively uniform film
Choose Epoxy coat
Choose Epoxy coat when immersion processing is impractical.
- Strong adhesion to correctly prepared metal
- Typical v1 dry-film range is 50–200 µm
- Good barrier resistance to water and many industrial chemicals
What the numbers say
- E-coat is the lower-cost option ($$).
- E-coat is the thinner coating (15–35 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
- E-coat tolerates more heat (150 °C continuous).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | E-coat | Epoxy coat |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 83 Very good | 83 Very good |
| Surface hardness / wear | 15 Low | 15 Low |
| Cosmetic quality | 55 Good | 55 Good |
| Lubricity | 15 Low | 15 Low |
| Cost | 35 $$ | 40 $$$ |
Key numbers
| Property | E-coat | Epoxy coat |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 15–35 µm | 50–200 µm |
| Salt-spray test duration | 500–1,000 h | 500–1,000 h |
| Max service temperature | 150 °C | 120 °C |
| Electrical | Insulating | Insulating |
| Colours | black, gray, white | gray, black, white, custom color, clear |
| Relative cost | Standard ($$) | Premium ($$$) |
| Added lead time | 4–8 working days | 3–7 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | E-coat | Epoxy coat |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | With care | With care |
| Copper Alloy | With care | With care |
| DMLS / SLM | With care | With care |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| Stainless Steel | With care | With care |
| Titanium | With care | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
| FDM | No | Limited |
| MJF | No | Limited |
| Polymer | No | Limited |
| SLA | No | Limited |
| SLS | No | Limited |
E-coat vs Epoxy coat — frequently asked
What is the difference between E-coat and Epoxy coat?
Electrophoretic Coating and Epoxy Coating are both paint, powder & polymer coatings finishes; e-coat is the lower-cost option ($$). E-coat is the thinner coating (15–35 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less. E-coat tolerates more heat (150 °C continuous).
When should I use E-coat instead of Epoxy coat?
Conversely: choose Epoxy coat when immersion processing is impractical.
Is E-coat or Epoxy coat cheaper?
E-coat is the lower-cost finish ($$ against $$$ for Epoxy coat) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.
Do E-coat and Epoxy coat protect equally against corrosion?
On paper, yes: both are rated 500–1,000 h in neutral salt spray (ASTM B117 or the qualification hours of the governing specification). In service the difference comes from sealing, thickness class and the substrate alloy rather than from the choice between the two.