Coatings

Premature Corrosion of Porcelain Enamel-Coated Panels

Buildings, Coating Assessment, Coating Failure, Coatings, Commercial, Lab Testing / By

Background of Design Specifications – Five stations of a commuter rail transportation system were exhibiting corrosion and coating adhesion problems.  The train stations were constructed approximately six years prior to observed coating failure. The steel surfaces (column covers, wall and ceiling cladding, soffit, security screens and structural support systems) were to receive a porcelain enamel protective […]

Premature Corrosion of Porcelain Enamel-Coated Panels Read More »

propane tank

The Case of the Compromised Propane Tank Coating

1 Comment / Coating Assessment, Coating Failure, Coatings, Lab Testing, Tanks / By

The exterior coating system on six propane tanks was delaminating after only one year of being stored under cover in Mexico. Could the system be repaired? Or was it a total loss? A gas transmission company had all six of the propane tanks fabricated and coated in Mexico for a U.S. facility. The specified surface

The Case of the Compromised Propane Tank Coating Read More »

Consequences of Applying Coatings Outside of the Recommended Thickness Range

4 Comments / Coating Application, Coating Failure, Coatings, Dry Film Thickness / By

When recommending a coating or coating system for a specification, or when responsible for the application of a coating, the manufacturer’s Product Data Sheet (PDS) should always be consulted.  The PDS typically contains information regarding appropriate uses and environments, performance characteristics, and application information including mixing, application methods and equipment and the recommended thickness range

Consequences of Applying Coatings Outside of the Recommended Thickness Range Read More »

Foaming of clear topcoat

Concrete Floor Coatings Forensics Case History — Part 2

Buildings, Coating Assessment, Coating Failure, Coatings, Commercial, Concrete Floors, Lab Testing / By

Concrete Floor Coatings Forensics Case History- Part 2 When examining a coating problem in the laboratory, background information gathered during discussions with the involved parties and information obtained during a field investigation help to direct the course of the laboratory investigation. The background information collected for this case was included in last month’s F-Files, “Concrete

Concrete Floor Coatings Forensics Case History — Part 2 Read More »

demineralized water storage tank

Installation Woes of a Lining in a Demineralized Water Storage Tank

Coating Application, Coating Assessment, Coating Failure, Coatings, Lab Testing, Tanks / By

This month’s case from the F-Files concerns the application of a high performance liner in a steel demineralized water storage tank, or a demin tank.  Demineralized (purified) water can be particularly aggressive in service when even minute traces of soluble salt contamination are present on a coated substrate.  Therefore is not uncommon to see soluble

Installation Woes of a Lining in a Demineralized Water Storage Tank Read More »

Concrete Coating Failure

Concrete Floor Coatings Forensics Case History — Part 1, Field Investigation Phase

Buildings, Coating Assessment, Coating Failure, Coatings, Commercial, Concrete Floors / By

The field phase of this concrete floor coatings forensics case history included five steps: project familiarization and interview; moisture detection; coating thickness measurements; adhesion testing; and microscopic examination, sample collection and photographic documentation.This edition of the F-Files presents the field investigation undertaken to determine the cause of a concrete floor coating failure (Fig. 1). The

Concrete Floor Coatings Forensics Case History — Part 1, Field Investigation Phase Read More »

oil and gas maintenance painting

Effective Maintenance Painting Practices for Offshore Oil & Gas Structures – Part Two

Coatings, Inspection, Pipeline Coatings / By

Undertaking maintenance painting of offshore oil and gas assets can be expensive and frustrating due to the complexity of the facility, and the highly corrosive nature of the marine and chemical-rich environment (Fig. 1). However, the author’s experiences over many years have shown that there are three simple and synergistic methodologies which — if executed

Effective Maintenance Painting Practices for Offshore Oil & Gas Structures – Part Two Read More »

weathered coating

Keeping Coatings in the Game

Buildings, Coating Assessment, Coating Failure, Coatings, Commercial, Maintenance Painting / By

Testing at five-major league baseball stadiums offers insights into paint and coatings performance While grand architectural and aesthetic considerations for buildings may be less common than in past generations, they still matter to professional and collegiate sports stadium owners. They have important fan bases to consider. Keeping stadium structural steel looking sharp can be as

Keeping Coatings in the Game Read More »

coating inspection of Saponification

Saponification: From Paint to the Grave

2 Comments / Coating Assessment, Coating Failure, Coatings, Lab Testing / By

At its very basic level, saponification is the term given to the process in which vegetable oils and animal fats are converted into soap. We recognize soaps as wax-like products, modified through the addition of fragrances and skin-care additives (emollients) to become consumer cleaning and bathing products. The essential step in the soap-making process is

Saponification: From Paint to the Grave Read More »