Coatings World - February 2016

Corrosion Control

substrate and its inherent susceptibility
to corrosion, shape complexity (curved
surfaces, edges, corners, crevices), surface
preparation (roughness), and cleanliness
(dirt, oil, grease, rust). Next, environ-
mental and operating conditions must be
taken into account. Regulatory and emis-
sion requirements can vary by jurisdic-
tion requiring the selection of compliant
systems. In use, exposure to harsh condi-
tions (temperature, corrosive liquids and
gases, mechanical wear) and their dura-
tion will guide the coating choice.”
“Finally, customer specific attributes
and end-use specifications play a critical
role,” Cinoman added. “These can in-
clude cost, color, hiding power and ease
of application. The related durability
requirements/warranties with respect to
structural integrity and color/gloss reten-
tion are also a factor.”
“The most important factor is the
end-use environment, particularly in
aggressive offshore locations, to ensure
that the system meets the customer’s per-
formance expectations,” said Hesselink.
“In addition, coatings also have to meet
local standards and certification re-
quirements which can vary significantly.
Application conditions and surface prep-
aration area also highly important to en-
sure that the system meets the customer’s
lifetime expectations.”
A properly prepared substrate is an
important first step in ensuring good
adhesion and performance of any coat-
ing. “However, in some cases, a custom-
er’s processes may not result in optimal
substrate cleanliness and profile,” said
Marko Strukelj, product director for
Axalta’s liquid coatings business. “In
these instances, appropriate coating sys-
tem selection can help to offset the non-
ideal conditions as much as possible.
The cost of the entire coating sys-
tem and the expected durability can be
negatively affected by substrate surface
preparation. Strukelj noted that there are
other options to be considered that may
help improve performance, like applying
thicker layers of coating and/or using high
quality paint products such as Corlar and
Ganicin undercoats and Imron topcoat.
“Poor substrate preparation is a key
cause of premature coating failure,” said
Hesselink. “We are continuing to develop
our coatings that are more resistant to re-
duce the effects of poor substrate prepa-
ration; however, the fact remains that
corrosion develops from the substrate
NACE International Launches First Corrosion Design
Competition for University Students

The University Student Design and Applied Solutions Competition, the first ever student design competition focused on corrosion, will engage university and military academy students in designing an applied solution to a real world problem caused by corrosion that is currently affecting military weapons systems and facilities as well as civilian and industrial structures.

The competition is being managed by NACE International, the Worldwide Corrosion Authority, through funding US Department of Defense Corrosion Policy and Oversight Office.

“Corrosion is an expensive, destructive problem for many government and indus-
try sectors,” said Bob Chalker, CEO of NACE International. “Working with the DOD
to introduce a unique, new competition is an exciting first for our organization. We
hope it will bring fresh perspective, new solutions, and inspire the next generation of
corrosion engineers.”
In this inaugural event, undergraduate and graduate students, under the supervi-
sion of faculty advisors, will be challenged to design and create prototypes to inspect
corrosion in difficult-to-access areas. The competition was designed to replicate real-
world conditions and exemplify how corrosion impacts military and industrial struc-
tures, vehicles, and infrastructure.