Why Invest In High-Performance Anti-Corrosion Coatings?
High performance anti-corrosion coatings offer the necessary protection of materials against corrosion in harsh environments. In many industries, they are a necessary safe-guarding tool and an assurance for long-term durability of components.
Read on to discover more about the impacts of corrosion and why investing in high performance anti-corrosion coatings is an efficient solution.
Impact Of Corrosion
Corrosion can occur in many ways. It is commonly subdivided into two main types, internal and external. External corrosion is the corrosive effect of high temperature, high humidity, high salt, and highly acidic environments on the metallic part of an alloy. At the other end, internal corrosion is associated with stored or transported gases or liquids. High exposure of corrosive fluids can cause this effect in either anaerobic or aerobic conditions. While this may be caused by chemicals, water is believed to be the most common cause of corrosion on metallic surfaces.
The impact of corrosion plays a role in daily life by indirect and direct means. From useful services to personal possessions, all the way to production costs for suppliers and manufacturers.
Corrosion is encountered in homes: on tools, cars, kitchen appliances, outdoor furniture etc. Once a home appliance has succumbed to corrosion, it is usually time to throw it away and replace.
On a more severe scale, it can lead to the collapse of electrical towers, damage to buildings, bridges, structures and more. Such impacts result in significant economic loss and jeopardy of public safety. Should corrosion occur in major industrial plants the impact could even be fatal.
What Are Anti-Corrosion Coatings?
Anti-corrosion coatings offer a robust level of protection for components against highly corrosive elements or environments. They are an essential application in engineering to mitigate the detriment of corrosion. Upon application, these coatings act as a barrier, protecting the surface and performance properties of a material. While some engineering coatings may be an optional asset to manufacturers and engineers, corrosion protection is considered a prerequisite.
How Are Anti-Corrosion Coatings Used?
By design, anti-corrosion coatings diminish the effects of corrosive agents such as moisture, oxygen, chemicals, or contaminants. The importance of these coatings can be observed across numerous industries. Here are some examples:
Oil and Gas Industry
Pipelines and storage tanks are exposed to harsh conditions and corrosive substance. Therefore, they are accustomed to corrosion over a period. By applying anti-corrosion coatings to these assets, it helps mitigate the chance of leaks, extends lifespan of assets, and ensures the integrity of the infrastructure.
Anti-corrosion coatings are applied to vehicle bodies to prevent rusting. This helps prolong the lifespan of vehicles and maintain aesthetic appeal. As well as protect against corrosion, coatings on vehicles provide wear resistance, anti-fretting, anti-galling and electrical insulation where required.
The construction industry relies on anti-corrosion coatings for various applications. For example, structural steel components used in bridges, buildings, and other infrastructure projects are all vulnerable due to contact with weather conditions and moisture. In this instance, coatings are vital, as corrosion at this scale can put human life at risk. Anti-corrosion ensures the durability and structural integrity of components, reducing the demand for regular maintenance.
Corrosion protection is an indispensable requirement for the marine industry. As previously mentioned, water is a top culprit for corrosion. Constant exposure to seawater accelerates corrosion rates by a rapid extent. The only way to guarantee longevity of these structures, reduce maintenance costs and ensure operational safety is to apply corrosion protection to components.
Aircrafts are exposed to all extremities of environmental impacts. It is important these structures are protected from moisture, high-altitude conditions, and chemical pollutants. Once applied to the exterior, anti-corrosion solutions maintain aerodynamic efficiency and contribute to the overall safety of the aircraft.
Why Investing In High-Performing Corrosion Protection Is Smart
Now we have a comprehensive understanding of what anti-corrosion coatings are and how they are used across many sectors, let’s summarise why this is a smart investment for a business.
- Corrosion protection will improve the efficiency of metals or other components, guaranteeing long-term performance.
- By investing in anti-corrosion coatings, a business will automatically decrease the amount it needs to spend on regular maintenance and replacement costs. Though the upfront investment may be off putting to some, the long-term return in guaranteed.
- Anti-corrosion coatings stabilise materials and allow them to consistently perform for a longer period. By investing in anti-corrosion coatings, engineers can be assured that their components will perform as intended.
- In the current climate, there is a significant call to reduce the consumption of materials. As natural resources run scarce, the application of corrosion protection mitigates the need to replace components. Businesses seen to make ‘greener’ choices are proven to be favoured by customers.
- In relation to the point above, production of components can often have a hefty environmental impact. Manufacturers are often under scrutiny for their carbon emissions. As a solution, coatings reduce the need for mass production, by maintaining the life of already-made components.
Where Can I Invest?
Alphatek has been a major supplier of standard and bespoke coating solutions of the highest performance for over 2 decades. We have an extensive client list who have invested in our premium anti-coating corrosion coatings. Follow this link to hear what they have to say on why you should choose to invest with Alphatek.
If you would like to know more about what we offer at Alphatek and how we benefit a range of engineering needs, then have a look through our custom products.
Should you wish to invest in anti-corrosion coatings, and want to get started today, then contact our friendly team today.
