Introduction – If Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP), also known as glass reinforced plastic (GRP), is specified to be coated, the appropriate coatings must be selected and the surface properly prepared, to assure long-term performance. Why Coat Fiberglass? FRP is frequently used in highly corrosive environments as it is inherently corrosion resistant and does not rust […]
Surface Preparation and Coatings for FRP Read More »
Introduction – Fiber Reinforced Plastic (or polymer) is known as FRP. It may also be referred to as GRP (glass reinforced plastic), which is the same material. As the name for GRP suggests, glass fibers are used to provide the reinforcement, although carbon fibers are used for specific high-performance applications, such as structures requiring a
Inspection of the FRP Fabrication Process Read More »
No one wants a coating to fail prematurely; not the general contractor, the painting contractor, the owner, or the specification writer. Coating failures lead to costs that are unaccounted for, project delays, equipment having to be out of service, liquidated damages, and oftentimes litigation. Like automobile accidents, coating failures occur even though everyone is trying
A Logical Approach to Coating Failure Investigations Read More »
THE SUBJECT Two steel 250-plus-ton, fixed, gantry crane structures were overcoated as part of a 2014 coating remediation project. The cranes are located in the Northeastern U.S. and were erected in 1956. They reportedly still had the original coating system when the remediation was performed. Project specifications called for spot repairs at corroded areas and
Investigating Coating Failure: Disbonding of an Overcoat Read More »
One of the key components to the success of any coatings maintenance project is the degree of surface preparation both specified and performed. For the purposes of this discussion we are going to assume that due diligence has been done and that power tool cleaning is a viable option for maintenance painting work. Now the
Surface Preparation by Power Tool Cleaning… What to Specify When Read More »