Properties of Enamel Coatings

Enamel coatings are used for the internal protection of storage tanks that in most cases have built-in components (e.g., fittings with exits, probes, temperature detectors) that usually exhibit cathodic effectivity. These constitute a considerable danger of pitting corrosion at small pores in the enamel. Corrosion protection is achieved by additional cathodic protection which neutralizes the effectiveness of the cathodic objects. 

Enamel coatings usually consist of several layers in which the prime coating is applied for adhesion but does not have the chemical stability of the outer layers. With cathodic polarization at holidays, attack on the exposed prime coating is possible as the cathodically produced alkali causes the defects to increase in size. This particularly cannot be excluded in salt-rich media. 

Enamels have very varied properties where their chemical stability is concerned. Relevant stability testing must be carried out for the different areas of application. Enamel coatings for hot water heaters, their requirements and combination with cathodic protection are described in Section 20.4.1. 

It must be remembered that the interface of steel and enamel reacts very sensitively to hydrogen recombination, which causes cracks (fish scales) and spalling. 

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Electrical properties of organic coatings vary by resin (also referred to as polymer) type. When selecting insulating varnishes, insulating enamels, and magnet wire enamels, the electrical properties and physical properties determine the choice. 

The approach used in Task lA differs from the previous enamel development program in that solid lubricants will be incorporated into the glassy phase composition to first reduce the coefficient of friction values of the glassy phase below 0.02. Once the coefficient of friction is optimized, wear particles will be added to the composition, if needed, to improve the wear properties of the coating. 

Abrasion Resistance. Porcelain enamel is the most scratch resistant and hardest of commercial coatings (see Hardness). This property is used to distinguish between porcelain enamel and organic enamel or painted coatings. The rate of abrasive wear in surface abrasion increases with time, and the subsurface abrasion which follows exhibits a higher, but constant rate of wear. Abrasion resistance can be evaluated by loss of gloss or weight (35). 

The first commercial applications of polypyromellitimides were as wire enamels, as insulating varnishes and for coating glass-cloth (Pyre.ML, Du Pont). In film form (Kapton) many of the outstanding properties of the polymer may be more fully utilised. These include excellent electrical properties, solvent resistance, flame resistance, outstanding abrasion resistance and exceptional heat resistance. After 1000 hours exposure to air at 300°C the polymer retained 90% of its tensile strength. 

For a hot water environment general guidance can be given for the desirable properties in good enamels. Five factors affecting enamel life are corrosiveness of contact liquor, design, operating conditions, life of sacrificial anode (if any) and the durability of the enamel coat. This implies that... 

The physical properties of automotive enamels are in large part determined by the crosslink structure developed in the paint films during the baking process. Enamels which are not cured sufficiently (undercured) are generally sensitive to humidity and solvents. In addition, they may be prone to chipping and cold cracking. Faints which have been baked excessively (overcured) exhibit intercoat adhesion failure. That is, subsequent coats... 

Among the other forms of acrylics, coatings for protecting metal and acrylic enamels for cars and appliances are available in great variety. Water emulsion acrylic paints give excellent service, both indoors and out, and acrylic adhesives are used to bond many carpeting fibers to their backing and provide nonskid properties and dimensional stability. 

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