The three types of anti-corrosion coatings explained
Anti-corrosion coatings provide a robust level of protection against corrosion for components operating in highly corrosive environments.
The options for anti-corrosion coatings are vast but they can be broken down into three main groups; barrier, inhibitive and sacrificial. In this blog post we outline the differences between the three types of anti-corrosion coatings.
Barrier coatings
Barrier coatings form a protective non-porous layer over a substrate that prevents the surrounding environment from affecting the base metal. If a barrier coating is applied to the base metal without any other coating or film and is damaged by impact or chemical attack, the substrate is then unprotected. Film thickness and solid content significantly affect the lifespan of the protection.
Inhibitive coatings
Inhibitive porous coatings form a passive layer on a substrate that reacts with metal and humidity as it penetrates the film. The corrosion protection offered by inhibitive coatings significantly reduces over time and is why these coatings are regularly used in primers that are overcoated.
Sacrificial coatings
Sacrificial coatings act as an additive over a substrate which sacrificially corrodes to protect the material below. Unlike barrier coatings, sacrificial coatings remain effective if the film is damaged, however the level of protection offered is dependent on the additive content level and type of paint binder used.
Important anti-corrosion coating considerations
When looking to choose a suitable partner for your anti-corrosion coating requirements it is important to check for several factors:
– Are barrier, inhibitive and sacrificial coatings all available?
– Is a Norsok approved inspector available if required?
– Is there suitable technical support to understand your challenge and recommend the best type of anti-corrosion coating?
– Does the potential supplier have the flexible capacity to cope with your volumes and process within your timescales?
– Are there sufficient facilities to cope with the size and geometry of your components?
At Surface Technology we offer all three varieties of anti-corrosion coatings and have an experienced in-house team available to offer all the technical support you need to choose the best type of coating and apply it where needed.
Find out more about the anti-corrosion coating services we offer at Surface Technology or contact us now to discuss your requirements further.
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