KTA Staff

coating inspection of Saponification

Saponification: From Paint to the Grave

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

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Paint Consulting

The Case of Bubbles, and Pinholes, and Blisters, Oh My! -Coating Condition Assessment

This month’s Case from the F-Files describes the problem of bubbles, pinholes, and blisters in a polyurethane finish coat applied to new structural steel members at a coal-fired power generation plant. Many of the pinholes and bubbles were so small that they were difficult to detect with the unaided eye. Many of the largest blisters

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Paint and Coating Laboratory Testing

KTA Expands Testing Laboratory

Expanded Testing Laboratory KTA-Tator, Inc., an international provider of independent coatings testing and failure analysis services, announces the expansion of its ISO/IEC 17025 accredited chemical testing laboratory (certificate 2455.01). Due to increased client demands for testing, KTA has expanded the laboratory facilities at its Pittsburgh, PA headquarters by 20% to 6,300 square feet.   In addition,

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KTA Announces the Promotion of Cindy O’Malley

Remarkable Career Achievements during her 18 years of service. (Pittsburgh, PA) – KTA-Tator, Inc. is pleased to announce the promotion of Cindy O’Malley to Manager of Consulting and Laboratory Services.  In her new role, O’Malley will oversee all consulting services, including failure analysis, system selection and specification development services, and research projects.  She will continue

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pre-stressed concrete tank

Ask A Consultant Q&A: Exterior Coatings for Above Ground Concrete Tanks?

Question:  What type of coating system is most common for the exterior of an above ground concrete tanks (pre-stressed)? Answer:    Many of the same coating systems that are used on steel water storage tanks are also used on concrete tanks with the exception that zinc rich primers are not applied.   For example, a common concrete

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SSPC-VIS-3 Guide

SSPC-VIS 3 Guide for Power and Hand Tool Cleaning of Steel Surfaces

SSPC-VIS 3 Guide The following video on SSPC-VIS 3 Guide for Power and Hand Tool Cleaning over previously painted, rusted, and mill-scale bearing steel. The SSPC-VIS 3 guide is an aid for determining whether a prepared surface meets or exceeds the product specification.

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The Contractor Who Almost Got Floored

Most of the past Cases from the F-Files have focused primarily (although not exclusively) on coating failures on steel. However, coating failures can and do occur on other substrates such as aluminum, wood, and concrete, to name a few. In this case, a warehouse concrete floor coating was exhibiting blistering only a few months after

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