4. Coatings Composition and Characteristics
4.1 Most Protective Coatings are composed
drying oil, they are not suitable for exposure to
strong alkalis. They display a high chalking rate
which is characteristic of all epoxy coatings, and
1. PIGMENTS. The functions of pigment are:
their use on exterior steel is limited. Their natural
area of application is interior surfaces of buildings
exposed to fumes and mild alkaline cleaners. The
catalyzed epoxies are offered in four common
variations which dif er in the catalyst employed.
Amine cured epoxies display the best solvent and
chemical resistance of coatings of this generic type.
The polyamide cured epoxies have somewhat less
general chemical resistance but are superior to the
amine cured epoxies in water resistance, weather
resistance, and the ability to adhere to dif icult
surfaces. Amine adduct cured materials are based
on a pre-reaction of a portion of the catalyst with the
epoxy resin. Such materials are less sensitive to
climatic conditions than amine cured epoxies and
are considered the equal of either amine or
polyamide variations in all environments.
4.2.2 Inorganic Silicates
Inorganic zinc silicate coatings display the best
weather and solvent resistance of any type of
protective coating. These products contain no
3. SOLVENTS: The functions of solvent are:
organic matter and are resistant to attack by virtually
any solvent, including chlorinated solvents. The
ultimate life expectancy of materials of this type in
severe weathering service has not as yet been
established. Since the film contains zinc, they are
not suitable for strong acid nor for strong alkali
environments. Successful application requires good
surface preparation and a minimum of special spray
While the pigment can characterise the properties of a coating,
it is the generic resin type that primarily determines the
performance and resistance characteristics of a coating. The
solvent is determined by the resin type and plays lit le part in
the long-term performance of the coating once it has played its
part of depositing the coating uniformly and pin-hole free onto
the substrate. 4.2 Coatings and Composition Coatings of a given generic type display common properties, as 4.2.1 Epoxies
Epoxy resin coatings are available in three general
types; oil modified, catalyzed, and high bake. The oil
modified varieties are commonly referred to as
epoxy esters. They display properties which are
intermediate between those of high quality
conventional enamel and truly chemical resistant
protective coatings. Since such products contain a
application and recoating properties. They have
good resistance to strong caustics and acids and
Polyurethane coatings are offered in a wide variety
of formulations varying from varnishes for wood
surfaces to multiple component materials for
industrial service. Safety precautions for handling
and use must be followed when two components are
Alkyd coatings are based on the resin formed from
being polyurethanes applied. They have found
reacting a drying oil with phthallic anhydride. They
widespread use where a high gloss, hard, weather
exhibit good wetting and gloss characteristics but
resistant coating in a wide range of colours is
very poor resistance to water, ion penetration and
required. Recoatable polyurethanes have expanded
alkalis and are not suitable for long life service in
usage because of the ease of recoating aged
Coal tar epoxy coatings, as the name implies, are
mixtures of coal tar pitch and low molecular weight
epoxy resins. In the simplest terms, they are a
combination of thermoplastic and thermosetting
resins. Common formulations contain up to 35% of
the epoxy resin. The resulting films are very
resistant to acids and water. Further, they have good
resistance to solvents of moderate strength. While
they are never recommended for immersion in
strong caustic, they do display good resistance to
spil s of mild caustic. Coatings of this type make
excellent water tank linings and good coatings for
equipment such as pipelines which wil be buried in
the soil: The principal disadvantage of coal tar
epoxies is their colours, which is always black, their
high chalking rate when exposed to sunlight, and the
difficulty of repairing or topcoating. The films, with
age, cross-link to such a point that refresher coats
cannot be applied without mechanically roughening
the film and coating failure usually occurs through
Chlorinated rubber coatings are offered in a number
of variations. The principal resin is manufactured by
chlorinating synthetic rubber. They are almost
always offered in high solids solutions and display
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