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Coating Failure

From Bond Breakers to Sealants: Anathema to Painting of Concrete

Buildings, Coating Assessment, Coating Failure, Coatings, Commercial, Concrete Walls /

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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Coating Performance

What You See Isn’t Always What You Get: The Problem with Aesthetics

1 Comment / Bridges, Coating Assessment, Coating Failure, Coatings, Lab Testing, Tanks /

As a group, coating professionals who deal mainly with industrial coatings generally focus on coating performance — the majority of concern being focusing on a coating’s ability to protect the substrate from the environment — and in the case of tank linings, to protect the tank contents from the substrate. Although these are certainly important

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Fireproof Coatings

Diagnosing Failure in Fireproofing [Intumescent Coatings]

6 Comments / Coating Assessment, Coating Failure, Coatings, Fireproofing, Lab Testing /

The project specification for a recent building addition at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility required that much of the structural steel be fireproofed. Fireproofing in this instance meant the application of a fire-resistive or intumescent coating. Intumescent coating products are designed to passively protect substrate materials—typically steel—from reaching combustion temperatures. These coatings function by charring and

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bridge overview

Improper Selection of a Maintenance Strategy Takes Corrosion Protection from Bad to Worse

Bridges, Coating Assessment, Coating Failure, Lab Testing, Maintenance Painting /

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

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The Shop Coating Pipeline that Cracked – FBE Coating

1 Comment / Coating Failure, Coatings, FBE, Lab Testing, Pipeline Coatings /

Gas transmission lines are often specified to be coated in a shop using fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) coating systems.  These coatings are chosen for the resistance to chemicals, the ease of back filling due to the impact resistance, which also translates to less mechanical damage during the transportation and installation of the pipe sections.  One

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Premature Corrosion of Porcelain Enamel-Coated Panels

Buildings, Coating Assessment, Coating Failure, Coatings, Commercial, Lab Testing /

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

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propane tank

The Case of the Compromised Propane Tank Coating

1 Comment / Coating Assessment, Coating Failure, Coatings, Lab Testing, Tanks /

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

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Consequences of Applying Coatings Outside of the Recommended Thickness Range

4 Comments / Coating Application, Coating Failure, Coatings, Dry Film Thickness /

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

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Foaming of clear topcoat

Concrete Floor Coatings Forensics Case History — Part 2

Buildings, Coating Assessment, Coating Failure, Coatings, Commercial, Concrete Floors, Lab Testing /

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

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