KTA Staff

Premature Corrosion of Porcelain Enamel-Coated Panels

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 »

Consequences of Applying Coatings Outside of the Recommended Thickness Range

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

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

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 »

chrissy stewart kta

True Detective – Chrissy Stewart, KTA-Tator, Inc.

Chrissy Stewart KTA-Tator, Inc. A senior chemist at KTA-Tator, Inc., Chrissy Stewart is heavily involved in failure analysis using various analytical procedures to determine the cause of premature coating failures. She also creates customized coating material test programs (either compositional or exposure) for individual clients. During her nine-year tenure with KTA, Stewart has acquired SSPC’s

True Detective – Chrissy Stewart, KTA-Tator, Inc. Read More »

Concrete Coating Failure

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

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

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 »

overcoating failure

Overcoating: Maintenance or Mayhem?

Whether a bridge, tank, pipeline, vessel, manufacturing facility, architectural structure or amusement park ride, at some point there will be a need for maintenance painting. The “paint guy” will share responsibility with those involved in general maintenance, funding, prioritizing, public relations and safety.Those familiar with maintenance painting may recall the four maintenance painting strategies: Do

Overcoating: Maintenance or Mayhem? Read More »

Maintenance Painting Practices for Offshore Oil and Gas Structures

Maintenance Painting Practices for Offshore Oil & Gas Structures: Part One

Offshore oil and gas structures, typically floating production, storage and offloading vessels, or FPSO, and the more conventional fixed platforms, are usually very complex assemblies of fabricated steelwork, metalwork, pressure vessels, structural members, tanks, pressure equipment, valves, pumps, screens and pipework crammed into a very tight and congested deck footprint. The most widely used material

Maintenance Painting Practices for Offshore Oil & Gas Structures: Part One Read More »