Components That Constitute a Coating System There is no limit to the amount of coatings and combinations of materials that may be included in coating systems. Coating systems will typically consist of two to four coats in the majority of times. The coating method you may choose will in general be broken into three primary elements : I.e. primers (may include shop primer) 2.Coats of intermediate level (mid-coats) 3.Topcoats Every component of the paint system has a specific purpose, however there are certain paints that may fulfill more than one function within a paint system. “Variations” is a paragraph that may be found farther down in this page. Primers Primer Paints are the most significant component of anticorrosive coating systems since they are used in almost all of these systems and are universally known as paints. Within an industrial paint system, the primer paint serves as the first coat and serves as the foundation upon which the subsequent layers of the coating system are put. As a base, it is essential that it has a high level of adhesion to the surface of the substrate and that it provides a solid foundation for the subsequent layer of the coating system. The following is a summary of the most essential characteristics that primers tend to possess: •Adhesion (strong connection to substrate) (strong bonding to substrate). • Unification (high internal strength in the film). Inertness is a (strong resistance to corrosion & chemicals). • Bonding between coats (high bonding to intermediate coat). • Flexibility that serves the purpose. Primers for steel often include anti-corrosive pigments like red lead, zinc powder (zinc dust), zinc chromate, zinc phosphate, calcium phosphate, and other similar substances. Since of their toxicity, red lead and zinc chromate are employed less often in today’s world. They are not utilized in prefabrication (shop-priming) at all because they will generate fumes that are poisonous or unpleasant when they are used in welding and flame-cutting. The coating system must be capable of employing the inhibitive pigments in a manner that will passivate the metal surface and lessen its propensity to corrode in order for it to be considered an inhibitive coating system. Additionally, the coating system must include the inhibitive pigments. The zinc silicates that are used in cathodically protective primers undergo a certain degree of reaction with the surface of the steel in order to achieve an adhesion that is even more powerful and robust. In addition to this, the primer has to provide an appropriate and suitable foundation for the intermediate coat. In order for the second coat to be able to fully wet the surface, it must fulfill this requirement. Additionally, the surface must be typically flat and non-glossy in order to enable some degree of physical adherence to the subsequent layer. Primers that are used for submerged situations or tank linings are required to have a chemical resistance that is comparable to that of the rest of the coating system. This is necessary in order to provide adequate protection against the chemical cargo or material that is immersed in the primer. Coats of Intermediate Quality The majority of paint systems include the application of intermediate coats in between the primers and the topcoat (s). In order to get a sufficient “build” to the paint system, intermediate layers, which are sometimes also referred to as undercoats or body coats, are required to attach properly to the primer. The primary functions of an intermediate are to give the following: thickness for the complete coating; strong chemical resistance; resistance to the transfer of moisture vapour; and an increase in the electrical resistance of the coating system. Cohesion that is very strong. Excellent adhesion to both the primer and the topcoat. The color of the midcoat should ideally be almost identical to that of the top coat, but it should be sufficiently distinct to enable the contrast to be seen when the final coat is applied. Midcoats should also have a high mechanical strength and a strong covering power. It is recommended that the color be lighter than the topcoat in order to allow for better concealment by the topcoat. With regard to the ability of the topcoat to conceal, it is often advantageous to have an intermediate coat that is white or almost white. It is essential to pay attention to the formulation of the intermediate coat. Coatings used in industrial applications are often referred to as “High Build coatings” because they build up a high thickness of paint with each layer. Additionally, the body coat, also known as the intermediate coat, is responsible for providing a solid adherence to the primer and serving as a solid foundation for the topcoats. The surface of the intermediate coat has to be perfect in order to ensure that the topcoat adheres well to it. If this material did not possess the capability of adhering to the primer in the appropriate manner and also providing the topcoats with the appropriate adhesion, the issue of inter-coat adhesion would result in the premature disintegration of the coating. Tie-coat The purpose of a tie coat is to enhance the adhesion between the coats and/or to prevent certain flaws, such as pinholes and popping, from occurring during the application process. In order to do this, the primary objective of applying a tie coat is to remove air from the tiny spaces and “valleys” that are present on the steel substrate. In order to allow air to escape from the substrate, it is essential to apply a thin layer, which is typically in the range of 20 to 30 microns. The majority of the time, tie coats are placed over inorganic zinc primers or before to the application of anti-fouling coatings. Topcoats The top coat is the last coat or coats of a paint system. Its purpose is to shield the coatings that come before it from the elements, to contribute to the overall corrosion protection that the system provides, and to impart the desired color and gloss. Top coats serve a number of vital purposes, including the following: they provide the following functions: they provide a resistant seal for the coating system; they establish the first barrier towards the environment; they provide resistance against chemicals, water, and weather. Provide a surface that is both durable and resistant to wear, as well as one that has an appealing look. The finishing paint, often known as the top coat, serves a variety of purposes, as described above. Not only should it be attractive, but it should also be resistant to the elements. The topcoat serves as the first line of defense against a variety of settings, including but not limited to wind and weather, environment that is extremely polluted, water, and chemicals that are aggressive. It serves as the first barrier that the coating system encounters. This indicates that the finishing paint must also possess a number of attributes, including the ability to retain color and gloss, to not chalk in direct sunshine, and to adhere well in humid environments. Additionally, it is possible that the finishing paint may be needed to possess strong mechanical qualities, such as resistance to scratching, physical impact and abrasion, as well as resistance to growth. Topcoats that are glossy are created with a low ratio of pigment to vehicle in their formulation. It is necessary for the topcoats to have a high level of resistance to alkali in order to ensure that they can be applied successfully over a reactive base coat that contains zinc. Topcoats like Jotun paint would consist of vinyls, chlorinated rubbers, epoxies, and coal tar epoxies, among other types of materials. Variations A coating system does not necessarily have to be made up of the three distinct components; depending on the needs of the coating, even a single coat might serve as a coating system. An good one-coat solution for the storage of refined oil products and a wide variety of solvents is provided by inorganic zinc coatings, for instance. In some circumstances, the most effective solution to a particular issue can be a single coating formulation that is applied in two or more coats. The majority of barrier coating systems do not include any intermediate layers specific to the system. It is possible to apply surface-tolerant mastics directly onto steel, and as a result, they may be used as both a primer and an intermediate coat. As is the case with all paint systems, the properties of these products must be able to fulfill a number of requirements, including the following: • Expected lifetime (design life) • Future maintenance • Classification society requirements • International standard requirements • Health, safety, and environmental requirements • Prices throughout the whole of the design life I really hope that this helps you in designing a coating system for your project; but, if you need any further technical information, please do not hesitate to leave a remark below. Detailed Author Biography – Andy Potts – Author Paint and spray shop consumables are the areas of expertise of this business and financial expert. Examine the Paint Systems Used in Industry You may also be interested in the following: primer paint, industrial paint, jotun paint, and