Temperature strips for powder coating and industrial ovens
Under-cured powder coating chips, over-cured coating yellows and loses gloss. Thermax strips show the real temperature the part reached in the oven — no cables, no electronics.
Why part temperature, not oven temperature?
The oven thermostat measures air. A thick steel part heats up more slowly than sheet metal, so at the same setting it may not reach the cure temperature. A strip stuck on the part measures what really matters.
Where Thermax strips are used
Wherever the maximum process temperature matters:
- powder and liquid coating lines — paint cure control
- drying and baking ovens, tunnel dryers
- automotive — paint control of body parts
- steel structures, metal furniture, household appliances
- electronics — soldering and component baking control
How to test an oven
Stick several strips in different places on parts and hangers (top, bottom, centre of the load). After the oven pass, compare the readings — cold zones and uneven temperature distribution show up immediately.
Audit question: how do you know this part was cured?
The oven controller and recorder show the air temperature in the chamber. During a quality audit (for example by an automotive or appliance customer) the question is often about a specific item from a batch. A strip on the part shows the temperature on its surface and supplements the process records. It does not replace oven validation or a profiler; it adds evidence for an individual part.
The strip as evidence in batch records
After the oven the strip permanently shows the highest temperature reached and does not return to its original colour. You can:
- stick it on the batch inspection card or acceptance report
- photograph it and attach it to a report for the customer
- mark it with the batch number, date and position on the part
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Frequently asked questions
How do I check whether a part in a coating oven reached the cure temperature?
Stick a Thermax strip on the part (ideally at the thickest point or furthest from the burner), run it through the oven and read the highest blackened field — that is the maximum temperature the surface reached.
Which strip range should I choose for powder coating?
Most powder coatings cure at 160–200 °C. 8-point strips covering 160–210 °C are the most common choice; for low-temperature coatings, ranges from 120 °C.
Are the strips reusable?
No. The colour change is irreversible — the strip permanently records the maximum temperature, so it can be added to quality records.
Does a strip replace an oven temperature profiler?
A strip does not show the curve over time, but it is inexpensive, quick and lets you check many parts at once. It is often used for daily checks between profiler runs.
Can a Thermax strip be added to batch quality records?
Yes. The colour change is permanent, so a used strip can be stuck on the batch inspection card or photographed for a report. It supplements oven records with the temperature measured on the surface of a specific part.
Ask about strips for your coating line
We will help you choose the ranges and prepare a quotation.