Industrial coatings and finishes – such as those sold by Promain – are chemically engineered, and designed specifically to help protect products used in the construction industry from environmental conditions and workplace wear and tear.
A closer look at industrial paint
Industrial paints can also be used on water reservoirs and tanks, lining them on the inside and helping to protect them against corrosion which could taint the potable water supply. In some instances, industrial paint may need to be applied in several layers; a primer first, followed by a high quality layer of paint and finishing with a sealant.
Favouring functionality over form, industrial paints are frequently used in the harshest of environments, and there may be any number of aggressive factors the paint will need to protect the surface of the metal from, such as chemical corrosion, physical impact and weathering.
This type of paint is typically used to protect surfaces by providing them with a robust and durable outer layer. The ensuing process of curing produces a film that’s solid and either plastic or adhesive, that protects a given surface while enhancing its aesthetic appeal, too.
What are the characteristics of industrial paint?
As with all paints, industrial paints are made up of a number of specialist components, including the following:
- Pigments
Used to give paint its colour and opacity, pigments come in ultra-fine powder form, and any number of them are used in the process of manufacturing, such as: anti-corrosion pigments, metal pigments and covering pigments among others.
- Solvents
Helping to correct a paints consistency and keep it in liquid form before being used, solvents are important when you consider how long paint may remain inside a container for.
- Binders
Extremely important, binders work alongside pigments to help the paint stay flexible, adhesive, and glossy, among several other properties of a physical nature.
- Additives
These are added to the paint’s main body for a number of reasons, but primarily to help it produce certain features and effects, like flame retardance, for example. Additives also help to prevent paint defects from forming, guaranteeing the best results.
A closer look at industrial coatings
Industrial coatings come in many forms, such as primers, coatings and sealants, and which one you use will depend largely on environmental factors, and the type of product you plan to store with it, etc.
Adding a protective and aesthetically appealing layer to a surface, below are some of the most commonly used industrial coatings within the metal fabrication industry today:
- 100% polyurethane
Exceptionally good at providing resistance to abrasions, this particular type of coating is best used for protecting applications against harsh conditions within the environment, and general wear and tear.
- Epoxy
Able to resist corrosion, weathering and abrasion, these coatings are perfect for use with steel applications that operate in harsh environments. Resistant to temperatures that are very high, too, they are also ideal for use in hot product storage tanks.
Epoxy coatings are typically applied in three layers: a zinc primer, then an epoxy, followed by an epoxy binder or topcoat of polyurethane.
- Zinc rich
Highly effective for use on steel parts that need to be corrected and resistant to abrasion, zinc coatings provide a barrier that is both galvanic and polymeric.
- Acrylic
Commonly used within the automotive and architectural industries, acrylic coatings are highly resistant to corrosion and contain characteristics that give them a high-gloss look when applied.
- Metalized
Metal wire is melted down to atomize the molten material in the process of metalizing, before being sprayed onto the surface of a product to form a strong, protective coating. This type of coating can be created using chrome, nickel, bronze, zinc. Aluminium and tungsten.
Fortunately, there are plenty of manufacturers of industrial coatings and industrial paint distributors around to ensure that you can always give your metal products, structures and surfaces the protection from corrosion they need, while making them look aesthetically pleasing, too.
