When conducting a coating failure investigation, the investigator’s first inquiries should be “What was supposed to be done,” and “Does it make sense?” The answers to these questions are typically revealed in the specification for the project. However, in this “Case from the F-Files,” there was very little information in the specification to guide the […]
KTA Video Learning Series – Positest Air Leak Tester Read More »
KTA Video Learning Series – Corrosion Assessment – Use of SSPC-VIS2/ASTM D610 Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »