STANDARDS AND ASSOCIATIONS

There are several key standards and associations related to high-performance coatings. The Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC), for example, is a nonprofit professional society concerned with the use of coatings to protect and preserve concrete, steel, and other industrial and marine structures. The society is a leading source of information on everything to do with protective coatings, from surface preparation and coating selection to application, environmental regulations, and the many health and safety issues relevant to the protective coatings industry. The SSPC provides industry standards for coatings, technical publications, training and certification courses, painting contractor certification programs, and conferences and events for the industry.

There are several key standards and associations related to high-performance coatings, and it is important to understand which standard is required to support the goals of the project.

Another organization is NACE International, The Worldwide Corrosion Authority (formerly the “National Association of Corrosion Engineers”). NACE’s mission is to “equip society to protect people, assets, and the environment from the adverse effects of corrosion.” The organization provides training, support, and certification for industry professionals through conferences, industry standards, reports, technical publications, and government relations activities. NACE’s membership includes professionals from almost every major industry, ranging from business owners and students to researchers, engineers, inspectors, and technicians. Anyone in any profession who deals with the risk of corrosion can benefit from what this organization offers.

Finally, high-performance coatings are subject to the international standards set by ASTM. These standards help enhance manufacturing and material performance, improve products and processes, and ensure that systems and services are safe for commercial and consumer needs. High-performance coatings are subject to standard testing methods for a range of situations and conditions, from high temperatures to weathering for different substrates and everything in between.

SURFACE PREPARATION AND PRIMING

Surface preparation and priming are both critical for industrial coatings to perform properly. How important? It is estimated that 90 percent of premature coating failures can be traced back to improper or incomplete surface preparation. Therefore, the answer is very important.

Surface preparation techniques will depend on the type of coating and on the service environment. For example, certain types of coatings require very clean surfaces in order to ensure proper adherence and protection. Other coatings may be more tolerant of imperfect surface conditions. Preparation techniques used to create a surface texture or profile suitable for a coating to adhere to it include grinding, sandblasting, or abrasive blast cleaning. Each of these methods will create fine particles of dust, which must be vacuumed or blown away before the surface can be primed and coated. One thing to consider, however, is that some preparation techniques simply are not appropriate for certain environments. For example, if industrial equipment in a food processing plant needs to be recoated, abrasive blasting of the surface is not suitable.

Once a surface is prepared and cleaned, it can be coated with a substrate-specific primer, such as latex, alkyd, modified alkyd, or epoxy coatings. The choice of primer and finish coats used for a project will also depend on the service environment. When a surface is properly primed, it can then be coated with a first and second coat, as long as the primers and intermediate finish coatings are all compatible.

Two organizations that are recognized as the primary sources of detailed surface preparation standards are the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) and the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE). Most industrial painting project specifications include standards from these organizations.

SINGLE- VS. DUAL-COMPONENT SYSTEMS DEFINITION

High-performance coatings are available in a variety of single- and two-component formulas, and each product does something different or has a different finish. In general, a single-component coating is designed for a unique purpose, and they tend to be available in numerous sheens. Dual-component coatings, on the other hand, are designed for superior performance and are used for commercial and industrial applications. Let’s take a closer look at each.

Single-component coatings are designed to meet a unique need or purpose. For example, a product may be designed for exceptional gloss and color retention, while another product may be designed to dry quickly or to inhibit rust, while yet another product is formulated for superior hardness and chemical resistance (e.g., epoxy resin). Single-component formulas such as alkyd, latex/waterborne, moisture-cured, and specialty coatings are available in numerous sheens, and they can be used for architectural surfaces or surfaces such as handrails and entry doors.

Dual or two-component coatings consist of an “A” and a “B” portion. The “A” portion refers to the base, and the “B” refers to the catalyst. When the two are mixed together, the components create a chemical reaction and crosslink. The resulting product is harder and more durable than a single-component product. Dual-component products are well suited for locations where chemical resistance and high-performance coatings are needed, such as medical labs or concrete floors in high-traffic areas.

Resin products (epoxy or urethane) are packaged separately and must be mixed together before they are used. The combined product is very tough, and it has superior UV resistance, can be immersed under water, resists corrosive chemicals, and resists abrasion very well.

The mixing ratio, mixing times, and optimal use times for dual-component coatings will vary between products, and it is important that users closely follow the manufacturer’s instructions.