Top 5 Essential Factors to Consider When Choosing Coatings for Long-lasting Protection
All industrial companies must use coatings that help reduce operational risks, such as corrosion. However, to make the right choice, it is necessary to consider various factors that ensure the long-term safety and maintenance of industrial infrastructure. Here are 5 factors that will help you reduce costs and comply with all applicable regulations when selecting your coatings.
1. Substrate Material and Current Condition: The Chemistry of Compatibility
Before choosing any coating, you need to know the surface to which it will be applied. This will determine the adhesion, performance, and service life of the system.
Achieving Bond Strength on Steel vs. Porous Concrete
Each substrate has unique characteristics that must be taken into account before choosing a coating. For example:
- Metal surfaces, such as steel: The main enemy is corrosion. When you use zinc-rich systems or corrosion inhibitors, you can ensure optimal adhesion.
- Porous surfaces, such as concrete: Here, the main challenge is absorption and internal moisture; therefore, you need a coating that can penetrate adequately to prevent osmotic blistering.
Depending on your specific situation, you will need to develop a strategy for proactive coatings for steel and concrete—or both, if applicable. This will maximize adhesion effectiveness.
Surface Preparation Standards (SSPC/NACE)
A key fact: up to 80% of coating failures are due to inadequate surface preparation. But how can you prepare the surface correctly?
- With steel, you will always need to remove contaminants such as rust or debris. You can use techniques like abrasive blasting.
- When it comes to concrete, always remove the laitance. This will ensure a clean, rough surface.
Be sure to comply with standards such as SSPC or NACE. You can ensure this by working with an industrial coatings supplier.
2. Geographic Exposure and Environmental Stressors
Don’t forget to consider geographic or environmental variables:
Defending Against UV Degradation in Arid Climates
When coatings are constantly exposed to UV radiation, they can degrade rapidly. This is especially true for epoxy coatings, which can develop a “chalking” effect. This happens when you notice a powdery appearance, which compromises the coating’s protective properties.
To prevent this, you can use aliphatic polyurethane or polysiloxanes, which are coatings that offer stability against sun exposure.
Corrosion Control in Marine and High-Humidity Zones
In marine or high-humidity environments, the presence of salts significantly accelerates corrosion. These environments are classified into high-corrosivity categories, such as C5-M.
To achieve the best results, systems must be specifically designed to withstand extreme conditions. This requires combining anti-corrosion primers and protective topcoats with intermediate coats.
The difference lies in working with a distributor of corrosion protection products for pipes, as this is the surest way to obtain solutions that are 100% tailored to your needs.
3. Chemical and Mechanical Resistance Requirements
Not all coatings can withstand the same conditions. It is necessary to analyze the chemical and mechanical demands of the environment to prevent premature failure.
Selecting for Secondary Containment and Chemical Spills
When there is exposure to chemicals, not all coatings are suitable. It is important to understand the difference between immersion exposure and occasional contact.
While immersion involves continuous and prolonged contact with the chemical, splashes or spills are isolated incidents involving intermittent contact.
In the case of immersion exposure, you need systems with maximum chemical resistance to withstand constant contact. For splashes or spills, the coatings must withstand repeated exposure.
Depending on these conditions, high-build systems, such as specialized epoxies, are an excellent alternative against acids and solvents. Chemical-resistant coatings maintain their integrity, even in aggressive industrial environments.
Abrasion Resistance for High-Traffic Industrial Floors
Mechanical resistance must be taken into account, especially in areas with constant traffic, such as industrial floors. There are factors you need to consider, such as:
- Traffic level: Frequency and type of traffic, such as pedestrians, forklifts, or heavy machinery.
- Type of wheels or tires: Some surfaces may be affected by rubber compounds or heat.
So, how can you assess the wear resistance of the current coating? A good method is to use ASTM D4060 (Taber abrasion test).
This is important because it also allows you to detect typical problems such as “tire friction scuffing.” In this case, the coating peels off because transport tires pass over it daily, and the coating cannot withstand that level of friction.
4. Regulatory Compliance and Safety Standards
Coatings must comply with environmental and safety regulations. This ensures protection, sustainability, and full legal compliance.
Navigating VOC Limits and Environmental Sustainability
Environmental regulations are becoming increasingly strict. It is essential to start adopting systems that comply with emissions regulations, such as VOC-compliant industrial coatings.
When using high-solids or water-based technologies, emissions can be significantly reduced while ensuring full compliance with EPA standards. All of this without compromising performance.
Specialized Certifications: FDA, USDA, and Fire Ratings
For example, materials must not release contaminants or pose a risk to people.
The coating must also provide thermal insulation, as is the case with intumescent fire protection.
If you work in the food industry, keep in mind that coatings must be suitable for indirect contact and non-toxic, among other requirements.
5. Aligning Performance Expectations with Maintenance Cycles
With a good coating system, you can protect the surface and optimize maintenance over time, provided it is aligned with the maintenance cycles.
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Equation
A common mistake is to prioritize the initial cost over long-term performance, which can result in significantly greater savings.
Choosing a cheap system may seem tempting, but the costs will end up being higher due to the need for constant maintenance.
To achieve a good total cost of ownership (TCO), it is necessary to invest in high-performance, durable solutions.
Planned Maintenance vs. Reactive Repairs
The key is to shift from a reactive to a proactive approach. By choosing the right coating, you’ll avoid operational downtime. Less money lost, more control.
Partnering with a reliable regional distributor ensures you get the right coating the first time, giving you peace of mind.
Conclusion: Making a Data-Driven Selection for Your Infrastructure
It’s important to protect your infrastructure and avoid unexpected costs. To achieve that, you need an experienced partner you can trust.
At B&W Distributors, we’ve been helping companies comply with all the regulations and requirements specific to their industry since 1995. Contact us today!
B&W DISTRIBUTORS INC.
Tel: (480) 924-8883
Email: info@bwdist.com
Web: https://www.bwdist.com/
ARIZONA
2702 N Ogden #107
Mesa, AZ 85215
