KTA Staff

The Case of the Mysterious Hailstones [Premature Coating Failure]

Specification writers, contractors, and coating manufacturers, at one time or another, have been blamed when installed coatings fail to meet service life expectations. However, rarely does the wrath of Mother Nature receive the blame for premature coating failure. In this Cases from the F-Files, an interior roof coating system reportedly failed because of localized impact […]

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The “Whoas” of Solvent Entrapment and Release

Whoa! Hold on! How much thinner do you plan to add? What thinner do you plan to add? The data sheet says you can add up to 10% by volume.Even so, it is not uncommon to see painters (or painters’ helpers) estimating thinner addition. It takes an experienced applicator who can save precious time by

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Meeting Demands of Gas Exploration: The Evolution of Pipeline Coatings

Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) has marked a new era of natural gas exploration. Through this technique, huge deposits of oil shale like the Marcellus and Utica, which extend from the Appalachians into Canada, are now producing enough gas to meet North America’s needs for the next 14 years. This boom in gas exploration has opened up

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MnDOT’s Approach to Improving Bridge Maintenance Painting Operations

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) conducted a one-day seminar on bridge maintenance painting strategy and project design in May of 2013. One outcome of that seminar was the realization that MnDOT needed a more uniform method to rate the condition of coatings statewide during biennial bridge safety (in conjunction with the new AASHTO Manual

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From Bond Breakers to Sealants: Anathema to Painting of Concrete

Concrete is a very utilitarian construction material used to create highways; bridge decks; construction blocks; tilt-up wall panels; floors on grade or elevation; tanks; secondary containment structures; kitchen countertops; textured, stamped or molded reliefs; and more … amazing. Consider the overall “natural” appearance of concrete and how dull it would be if all concrete structures were available

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