Lab Testing

bridge overview

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

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

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

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

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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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

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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

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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

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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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multi component coatings

Incorrect Mixing of Multi-Component Coatings

Many important industrial coatings are two- or even three-component products (also referred to as two-pack, 2K, or three-pack, 3K) in which a chemical reaction between the components results in a coating film. The components are packaged separately and require mixing at a specific ratio to form the desired final product. The compositions of the materials

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