The Importance Of
COATINGS ON
STRUCTURAL
STEEL
teel , thought of as one of the most versatile construction materials , is constantly trying to return ( i . e ., degrade ) to its natural state . In the case of structural steel , that degradation proves to be a significant problem . Coatings for structural steel not only provide a pleasing aesthetic to the finished product but also corrosion protection and control . There are many types of coatings , with new technologies advancing the industry every day . Some of the most iconic structures imaginable are protected by these coatings , including the Mario Cuomo Bridge in New York , numerous football stadiums ( including those of the LA Rams , Atlanta Falcons , and Dallas Cowboys ), the Golden Gate Bridge , and the Frederick Douglas Memorial Bridge in Washington , DC , just to name a few .
Coatings , generally speaking , are applied to structural steel that will be exposed to the environment . Often , these are large outdoor structures like stadiums or infrastructure projects like bridges . When exposed to the elements , bare steel will begin to rust and degrade until it can no longer serve its purpose . Coatings , although often used for their aesthetic value , are more importantly utilized to inhibit that damage , lengthen the life of the steel , and protect it from the elements .
Traditionally , coating systems have been defined as three-coat systems which include an inorganic zinc primer , an epoxy intermediate coat to act as a barrier , and a UV-stable finish coat ( usually urethane ). Over time , the use of organic zinc-rich materials have become more and more common in the prime coat . Organic zinc primers provide a speed enhancement to curing and recoat times while maintaining the desired level of corrosion protection when used as part of a multicoat system . The total time a coating will take to apply depends on a number of things such as the local environment , the time of year , and the temperature and humidity of the shop . Another bonus offered by organic primers is their increased tolerance when it comes to consistency and film build .
Advancements in coating technologies such as polyaspartics and polysiloxanes have now begun to make two-coat systems viable options . These systems are an alternative to the three-coat systems that are traditionally used and consist of a primer and a finish . There are a number of benefits to these twocoat systems :
26 IMPORTANCE OF COATINGS STEELPLUS . COM