There has been a growing need for various types of industrial coatings so as to extend the life of steel, concrete, and other building materials, as well as to improve their durability and performance. All kinds of new structures being built in a customized manner or in a prefabricated process, and all these new types of structures require the same protection and boost for their durability. This has given rise to the development of a whole slew of new coatings which can be used in different industries and for many different applications. This article will discuss what some of those types of coatings are, and the kinds of uses they are best suited for.
What is Industrial Coating?
Industrial coatings are typically different types of long-chain molecules which are known as polymers. When these polymer coatings are applied to concrete or steel, some specific kinds of molecules such as alcohols and acids bind together to create a film which is flexible but extremely tough as well. A number of industrial coatings such as polyester, polyurethane, and epoxy have all been developed to be as flexible as possible yet very strong as well, so as to resist high-traffic, the effects of weathering, and a number of other possibilities like spills.
Another kind of industrial coating has been developed by experimenting with chain-growth coatings such as polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, and polystyrene. These kinds of coatings are composed of monomers that join together to form ultra-strong double-bond polymer chains as well as triple-bond polymer chains. Other types of industrial coatings include evaporation-based coatings, coalescence-based films like latex, and evaporation cross-linked films.
Some of these industrial coatings have been around for ages, while others have only recently been developed in response to a specific need or application. The point is that most industrial coatings undergo molecular bonding, and that means their components must be combined right on site prior to being applied to any surface. So for instance, an epoxy might be created at a particular location by combining two different gels to create a coating which can be used effectively.
What are the Different Types?
There are three primary types of industrial organic, inorganic, and metallic. Among the organic coatings are polyester, polyurethane, plastisol, and several different high-tech organic fluoropolymers such as PFA, FEP, and PTFE, which are some of the most popular industrial coatings in use today. The inorganic category includes such coatings as porcelain, ceramic, and zinc, although these are not as commonly used as are combinations of inorganic materials, organic materials, and synthetic materials.
These various components might include fillers, pigments, extenders, and solvents, all of which serve to improve the application as well as the overall curing process. Some types of inorganic coatings include additives that make them very fire-resistant, so they can be used in applications where they might be exposed to high heat conditions. When industrial coatings are used on a given surface, they can be applied right in the factory at the time something is being produced, or they can be applied on-site, especially in those cases where it’s impractical to move the surface to be coated indoors.
There will usually be a multi-step process used to coat any surface with an industrial coating, and this approach is necessary to ensure that proper bonding occurs, and that maximum performance results from applying the industrial coating. The first step of this process involves sand-blasting the surface so as to remove any debris or particles, and to ensure that there will be a good bond between the coating and the surface.
Next, a primer will be applied which is comprised of epoxy polyamides or a zinc-based compound to create a thin buffer which serves as a bonding agent. After this, whatever type of waterproof or impermeable polymer you’re intending to apply, will be added to the surface to create a protective film. Once the protective film has been fully cured, an abrasion-resistant top coat will be applied, so as to seal in the entire coating.
The primary purpose of industrial coatings is to improve the durability and performance of any structure they’re applied to, but in some cases there is also an aesthetic value which is obtained by applying the coating. There are many different properties that industrial coatings can have, including texture, color, and opacity, and all these can contribute to their aesthetic appeal.
In some cases, other materials are added to a protective coating so as to discourage skidding or slipping, for instance on an industrial floor where accidents might be expected to occur. Because there is such a huge variety of organic and inorganic coatings currently being manufactured, there is literally a specific type of industrial coating for every possible application in the world today.
They are even used to protect offshore drilling platforms, storage tanks, pipelines, and bridges which are exposed to all kinds of weather situations. They are also ideal for coating industrial machinery, water tanks, commercial buildings, factories, warehouses, and any other objects which are typically exposed to weathering, impacts, or high volumes of traffic.
Applying Industrial Coatings
Industrial coatings provide an invaluable service by extending the life of many of the services that they’re applied to, and improving their durability and performance throughout the useful lifetimes of those objects. In addition, some industrial coatings can be extremely appealing in terms of aesthetics, or they can be mixed to prevent slips and falls at your facility.
There are a number of different objectives which businesses have when applying industrial coatings, and the specific objective you have will go a long way toward determining the kind of industrial coating you should apply. If you’d like to learn more about industrial painting contractors, or if you are ready to have one applied at your site, please contact us at HydroTech Power Washing, where we have a wide variety of industrial coatings which can be used for various purposes. Our mobile team can be at your location promptly, to safeguard your structures and buildings against all kinds of harmful effects.
