Corrosion is an issue that affects almost every industry. It can damage equipment, increase maintenance and cause downtime issues. Fortunately, anti-corrosion coatings offer a solution. These coatings give essential protection for materials that are exposed to harsh environments.
Barrier Coatings
Barrier coatings act as a shield between the environment and the material beneath. These coatings are non-porous and they prevent moisture, oxygen and other corrosive elements from reaching the metal. Their effectiveness depends on the thickness of the film and the amount of solid material in the coating.
However, if the coating is chipped, scratched or otherwise damaged, the metal is left exposed and unprotected. This makes barrier coatings best for less physically demanding environments or when they are combined with other protective layers.
Inhibitive Coatings
Inhibitive coatings work by forming a layer on the surface of the metal. These coatings are slightly porous and react to moisture and the metal to slow down corrosion.
Over time, the protection they provide can wear down, which is why inhibitive coatings are often used as a primer layer and then later covered with other coatings. They are particularly useful when full environmental sealing isn’t practical, but a level of resistance is still needed.
Sacrificial Coatings
Sacrificial coatings protect metal by corroding instead of the material underneath. These coatings contain active ingredients, which can include zinc nickel plating like the examples seen at swmf.co.uk/surface-coatings/zinc-nickel-alloy-plating, which corrode instead of the substrate.
This form of protection continues to work even if the coating is scratched or damaged, which makes sacrificial coatings work well in difficult environments. The quality of protection depends on the type of paint binder and how much additive is used. Sacrificial coatings, like paints that contain zinc, are often used to protect steel in marine and industrial environments
Choosing the right anti-corrosion coating involves understanding the environment your materials will operate in and how much physical wear and chemical exposure they will face. Each different type – barrier, inhibitive or sacrificial – has its strengths, and in many cases, using them in combination can provide the best results.
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