Anti-corrosion coatings can help to extend the lifespan of anything that is metal because they act as a barrier between the metal and its environment. Globally, it’s been estimated that there is corrosion damage that is equivalent to over a billion pounds.
Paints that help to prevent corrosion work by protecting a substrate from its external environment – protecting it from the elements. By being proactive and taking the right protection measures, much of the loss that occurs worldwide can be prevented. But choosing the right anti corrosion coating is the important first task.
Corrosion doesn’t just occur from one particular cause like oxidation, for example. Rather, it can be caused by several other things such as salt spray, chemicals, or moisture. Determining which anti corrosion paint is right for your current project will include some crucial considerations. Considerations such as environmental factors as well as the type of metal.
So in this blog, we’re going to name some of the best anti-corrosion coatings, and why you should always choose an anti-corrosion coating over non-protective coatings.
How Do Anti-Corrosion Paints Work?
There are various types of coatings that help to protect a substrate from problems like corrosion and rust. The collective name given to these coatings is anti-corrosion coatings (or anti-corrosion paint). Within this collective, there are very specific coatings each with their own name, purposes, and benefits.
There’s also coatings that are more ideal for certain industries.
Though their name is anti-corrosion, these coatings are actually much more versatile than that. Their multifunctional foundation means that even particular requirements can be met.
The biggest issue with corroding metal is that not only is the overall structure is weakened but the actual metal itself. An anti-rust or anti corrosion paint is designed to prevent direct contact between the metal substrate and fluids, overall preventing the corrosion process.
Some other benefits of anti-corrosion coatings are:
- Resistant to chemicals
- Protection against extreme weather
- Water repelling
- Protection from fungi, algae, and moss
- Non-slip and anti-fouling (This is dependent on the type of anti-corrosive paint).
- Self-cleaning properties (This is also dependent upon the type of anti-corrosive coating you choose).
Determining the Right Anti-Corrosion Coating
Understanding the environment is key to choosing the right anti-corrosive coating for your project. A lot of environmental factors need to be considered. Particularly factors such as moisture and water exposure, as well as possible exposure to chemical substances.
To help guide you, there is a standardisation that classifies the corrosivity of specific environments where metal structures are especially common. This classification was created by the International Organisation for Standardization and divides corrosivity into 5 major categories.
Very low corrosion risks are interior only, regular heated buildings with clean air. Hotels, schools, offices, shops. Unheated buildings are also at a risk of corrosion, albeit quite little. So storage facilities, sports halls and garages, barns, and anything of the likes.
Breweries, laundries, and kitchens are just few examples of buildings with high humidity, something that places them in the category with moderate risk of corrosion. Stronger coatings are necessary, usually from this point onwards.
The final two categories are where corrosion risk is highest. Chemical manufacturers, swimming baths, and both industrial and coastal areas. And anything in the last category is at the highest risk of corrosion so the anti-corrosive paint needs to have the highest possible protection offer. This means any kind of building that has condensation almost permanently, such as industrial sites or offshore structures.
Marine environments present some of the biggest engineering challenges which is why our specialist marine coatings can deliver proven results.
The Best Anti-Corrosion Coating
Alphatek boasts many exceptional Metal Spray Coatings that are suitable for using in quite a large range of industries. From aerospace and automotives to oil, gas, and chemical processing.
The application systems, methods, and techniques we implore within the metal spraying process will even bring added value. It offers protection for some of the most critical components from many common effects: abrasion, erosion, temperature and fatigue, and corrosion.
Our specialist anti-corrosion coatings are designed specifically to reduce general wear plus friction for those very demanding environments. And there are so many industry applications – aerospace, oil and gas, green energy, pulp and paper, and automotive.
In particular, our HVOF Tungsten Carbide Coating is capable of offering multiple properties. These coatings are often applied to roll surfaces which are used in paper production due to their challenging environment with erosion, corrosion, and component wear.
Widely used in the steel and metal production industries, HVOF Tungsten Carbide coatings have a wide range of applications that are not only proven but cost-saving, too.
Another excellent metal coating we provide here at Alphatek are Fluoropolymer Coatings. They are often referred to as Teflon or Xylan and offer many useful properties, especially for industrial applications.
Reach Out to Alphatek
It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, we have solutions that are suitable for many applications.
Whether you’re after anti-corrosion coatings that reduce wear and friction even in highly demanding environments or a low friction coating to improve efficiency and extend component life, we can help you.
Alphatek has over 20 years of experience in the industry and we can develop bespoke thermal spray coatings to your requirements, no matter how exact they are. You can be confident in our team.
Reach out to the team here at Alphatek. Try phoning us on +44 (0)1706 821021 or sending an email to postbox@alphatek.co.uk.
We’re located 20 miles North of Manchester and if you would rather visit us in person then you can check our opening times here.
