Blog | Industrial Coatings

Trailer and Chassis Protective Coatings | Baril Coatings USA

Baril Coatings USA — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

The Critical Role of Protective Coatings in Trailer and Chassis Longevity

In December 2021, a major logistics company in Chicago faced an unexpected crisis. During a routine delivery, a 53-foot trailer experienced a catastrophic chassis failure, causing the trailer to partially collapse while being unloaded. Investigation revealed that road salt and chemical exposure had severely compromised the chassis's structural integrity over just five years of service. The estimated losses, including damaged cargo, repairs, and downtime, exceeded $180,000. Most concerning? This trailer had passed its annual inspection just two months earlier.

Heavy Equipment Protective Coatings | Baril Coatings USA

Baril Coatings USA — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

The Hidden Cost of Heavy Equipment Deterioration

In 2019, a catastrophic excavator failure at a major construction site in Dallas led to a three-month project delay and over $2 million in losses. The cause? Severe corrosion of critical components that had gone unnoticed beneath layers of dirt and daily wear. The bucket arm joint had deteriorated to the point where it could no longer handle standard operational stress, leading to a complete failure during a routine lift. This incident highlights an often-overlooked reality in the construction and heavy equipment industry: the silent but devastating impact of equipment deterioration.

Structured Steel Protective Coatings | Baril Coatings USA

Baril Coatings USA — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Preserving the Backbone of Modern Architecture

In 2007, the I-35W Mississippi River bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, suddenly collapsed during rush hour traffic, resulting in 13 deaths and 145 injuries. While the primary cause was a design flaw, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report also highlighted significant corrosion in gusset plates as a contributing factor. This tragic event underscores the critical importance of protecting structured steel in our infrastructure.

Structured steel forms the skeleton of our modern world. From towering skyscrapers and expansive bridges to industrial facilities and sports stadiums, steel structures are everywhere. However, like all steel, these vital components are vulnerable to the relentless forces of corrosion. In this article, we'll explore the world of structured steel protective coatings, discussing their importance, types, and the latest advancements in the field.

The Vulnerability of Structured Steel

Structured steel is prized for its strength, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. However, its susceptibility to corrosion is a significant drawback. Corrosion in structured steel can lead to:

Reduced load-bearing capacity
Compromised structural integrity
Aesthetic degradation
Increased maintenance costs
Potential catastrophic failures

Corrosion in structured steel often begins insidiously, hidden from view in joints, connections, or beneath other building materials. By the time visible signs appear, significant damage may have already occurred.

The corrosion process in structured steel follows the same electrochemical principles we've discussed in previous articles. The steel itself acts as both anode and cathode, while moisture from the environment serves as the electrolyte. In coastal areas or industrial zones, the presence of salts or pollutants can accelerate this process dramatically.

The Importance of Protective Coatings

Protective coatings serve as the first line of defense against corrosion in structured steel. A well-designed coating system can:

Isolate the steel from corrosive elements in the environment
Provide a barrier against moisture and oxygen
Incorporate corrosion-inhibiting compounds
Extend the service life of the structure
Reduce maintenance costs over time
Enhance the aesthetic appeal of the structure

Moreover, in fire-prone areas or applications, specialized coatings can provide critical fire resistance, buying precious time for evacuation and firefighting efforts.

Types of Protective Coatings for Structured Steel

The choice of coating system depends on various factors, including the environment, expected service life, aesthetic requirements, and budget. Here are some common types:

Zinc-Rich Primers: These provide cathodic protection to the steel, making them excellent for corrosion prevention. They're often used as the first coat in a multi-coat system.
Epoxy Coatings: Known for their excellent adhesion and chemical resistance, epoxies are widely used in industrial and marine environments.
Polyurethane Coatings: These offer superior UV resistance and color retention, making them ideal for topcoats in exterior applications.
Alkyd Coatings: These are economical and easy to apply, suitable for mild to moderate environments.
Inorganic Zinc Silicate Coatings: These provide excellent corrosion resistance and can withstand high temperatures.
Intumescent Coatings: These expand when exposed to high temperatures, providing fire resistance to the steel structure.

Latest Advancements in Structured Steel Coatings

The field of protective coatings is continuously evolving. Some recent advancements include:

High-Solid Coatings: These contain a higher percentage of solid material, reducing VOC emissions and allowing for thicker application in fewer coats.
Water-Based Coatings: As environmental regulations tighten, water-based formulations are becoming more popular, offering reduced VOC emissions without compromising performance.
Self-Healing Coatings: These innovative coatings can repair minor damages automatically, extending the coating's service life.
Nanocoatings: By incorporating nanoparticles, these coatings can achieve superior hardness and corrosion resistance.
Smart Coatings: These can change properties in response to environmental stimuli, such as changing color to indicate corrosion underneath.

The Importance of Proper Application and Maintenance

Even the most advanced coating won't perform well if it's not applied correctly. Proper surface preparation is crucial – the steel surface must be clean, dry, and properly profiled to ensure good adhesion. This often involves abrasive blasting to remove mill scale, rust, and other contaminants.

The coating must then be applied according to the manufacturer's specifications, with careful attention to factors like temperature, humidity, and layer thickness. In many cases, a multi-coat system is used, with each layer serving a specific purpose.

Regular inspection and maintenance are also key to ensuring the long-term performance of the coating system. This includes:

Regular visual inspections
Prompt repair of any damages
Cleaning to remove dirt and contaminants
Recoating when necessary

Conclusion

As we've seen, protective coatings play a crucial role in preserving the integrity and longevity of structured steel. By investing in high-quality coatings and ensuring proper application and maintenance, we can significantly extend the life of our steel structures, reduce maintenance costs, and most importantly, enhance safety.

At Baril Coatings USA, we understand the critical importance of protecting structured steel. Our advanced coating systems are designed to provide superior protection against corrosion, UV damage, and even fire. We work closely with architects, engineers, and contractors to provide tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of each project.

Don't let corrosion compromise the strength of your steel structures. Contact us today to learn how our cutting-edge protective coatings can safeguard your assets and contribute to safer, more durable infrastructure.

Steel Tanks Protective Coatings | Baril Coatings USA

Baril Coatings USA — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Safeguarding Your Assets from the Silent Threat

In 2019, a massive steel storage tank at a chemical plant in Texas suddenly ruptured, releasing thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals into the surrounding area. The incident led to the evacuation of nearby residents and caused significant environmental damage. Subsequent investigation revealed that the root cause of this catastrophic failure was severe corrosion of the tank's base, which had gradually weakened the structure over time.

The Difference Between Paint and Coatings | Baril Coatings USA

Baril Coatings USA — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Paint vs. Coatings: Unraveling the Differences

At first glance, paint and coatings might seem interchangeable. Both are applied to surfaces, both offer protection, and both can enhance appearance. However, delving deeper reveals crucial distinctions that impact their applications and performance.

The Cost of Corrosion | Baril Coatings USA

Baril Coatings USA — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 04:00:00 GMT

The colossal cost for a simple chemical reaction.

In July 1995 at Folsom Lake, a reservoir created by Folsom Dam in Northern California reached full capacity. With the power plant shut down for maintenance, the dam’s operator needed to open one of the spillway gates to maintain appropriate flow in the river below. As the gate began to rise, one side suddenly collapsed, allowing an uncontrolled torrent of water to flow past the gate down the spillway (see below). By the time the deluge had slowed enough to block the opening, nearly half the water stored in Folsom Lake had been lost.

What Markets Use Industrial Coatings | Baril Coatings USA

Baril Coatings USA — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Agricultural Industrial Coatings

List of market segments that utilize industrial coatings and how Baril Coatings USA has them covered.

Corrosion Protective Zinc Coating Systems | Baril Coatings USA

Baril Coatings USA — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Corrosion presents manufacturing industries with extraordinary challenges when dealing with metallic alloys. From oil and gas processing to transportation infrastructure and beyond, corrosion can significantly impact metal structure longevity, performance, cosmetics and even safety. An extremely effective way of combating corrosion is to use a Zinc Rich Coating System which we'll discuss in depth in this latest article on Industrial Coatings.

What Are Industrial Coatings | Baril Coatings USA

Baril Coatings USA — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Industrial coatings; a necessary component for the protection of products in manufacturing, construction and refinish.

Industrial coatings serve to protect & preserve the surfaces of a variety of structures, machinery, and equipment in a variety of industries and markets. Whether they are protecting against corrosion or enhancing the durability and longevity of surfaces, industrial coatings are designed to withstand the harshest of conditions, in the most demanding of environments. Coatings come in various forms, such as paints, chemicals, and powders.

Reduce Environmental Footprint of Manufacturing | Baril Coatings USA | Baril Coatings USA

Baril Coatings USA — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Sustainability: 3 ways to reduce the environmental footprint of manufacturing

Sustainability is the idea that humans must live in harmony with nature, and not to act as a parasite on it. It is about "living well" without living at the expense of future generations. Sustainability means working within environmental limits to meet human needs now and into the future.