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Different Types of Protective Coatings and Their Uses

Protective coatings play a major role across a wide range of industries, from chemical processing to seafaring. A high-quality protective coating is meant to get between a surface and the surrounding environment, preventing damage, corrosion, and degradation that happens as a result of time or environmental factors.

In short, they’re vital for extending the lifespan of expensive machinery or structures… but only when the right coating is in use. Different types of protective coatings do different things, so it’s essential to choose the right one.

In this blog post, we’re reviewing some of the most widely-used coatings and their uses. Read on to discover everything there is to know about our protective coating services.

Epoxy Coatings

Epoxy coatings are one of the most widely-used protective coatings in industrial settings. They’re chemically resistant and have great adhesive properties, meaning they stick to surfaces very well (and for a long time). The combination of epoxy resin and hardeners in an epoxy coating creates a strong, durable finish that goes on smoothly.

The hardened coating easily resists harsh chemicals, abrasive materials, and even heavy impacts for long periods of time. This makes it particularly useful in marine or industrial environments with heavy foot traffic.

Some of the most common places we apply epoxy coatings include:

  •         Industrial floors.
  •         Marine structures.
  •         Factory pipelines.

Polyurethane Coatings

Polyurethane coatings are similar to epoxy coatings, in that they are very versatile and resistant to heavy abrasion or chemicals. On top of that, this type of coating is also great at resisting UV radiation, helping to extend the life of surfaces that spend a lot of time fighting heavy sun exposure.

One of the core benefits of polyurethane protective coating services is the ability to choose between thicknesses and finishes. Thick, thin, matte, glossy, the possibilities are endless.

Some of the most common places we apply polyurethane coatings include:

  •         Automotive components, like body panels and trim.
  •         Wooden furniture, floors, and cabinetry.
  •         Industrial equipment.

Zinc-Rich Coatings

Zinc corrodes around 100 times slower than almost all other metals used for construction or manufacturing, which makes it a common choice for plating. However, you can also apply a zinc-rich coating to achieve a similar effect without investing in full plating.

The anti-corrosive properties of zinc-rich coating makes it a popular choice for marine environments. Essentially, the coating provides a sacrificial layer that corrodes instead of the metal beneath. But the process takes time, allowing the coating to be replaced at regular intervals without the corrosion breaking through.

Thanks to the unique properties of this coating, the times we’re most commonly called in for zinc-rich protective coating services include:

  •         Steel structure protection, such as bridges or towers.
  •         Marine environment protection, such as ship hulls or metal platforms.
  •         Pipelines and storage tanks in chemically-aggressive environments.

Acrylic Coatings

On the other end of the spectrum, we have acrylic coatings. These are water or solvent-based and dry very quickly, making them a popular choice for simply weather-resistant applications. Acrylic coatings are well-known for their excellent UV resistance, so they protect most surfaces from the harsh rays of the sun.

Of the coatings on this list, acrylic coatings are one of the most versatile because of how easily they apply and dry. Since they require less speciality equipment than some other coatings – such as thermal arc coating – acrylic coatings also tend to be more affordable.

Some of the most popular places to use acrylic coatings include:

  •         Exterior surfaces on residential and commercial buildings.
  •         Signage and graphics designed for outdoor use.
  •       Industrial machinery exposed to corrosive agents or UV radiation.

Fluoropolymer Coatings

Finally, we have fluoropolymer coatings. This specialty formulation is designed to be highly-durable, chemically-resistant, and non-stick. Most people are familiar with this coating on non-stick cookware, as it provides a surface that resists sticking and cleans easily.

However, there are other applications for fluoropolymer protective coating services. They’re excellent at protecting delicate surfaces in environments where extreme chemical exposure or high temperatures are present.

Some of the most common applications for this type of coating include:

  •         Chemical processing plants.
  •         Metal roofing, facades, and other exterior architectural elements that need to be cleaned easily.

In summary, there are many different protective coating types. The five we have covered today are some of the most common, but there are others such as bitumen or ceramic coatings that have highly-specialised uses. Regardless of which type you need, it’s vital to partner with a team that can properly clean away old coatings before reapplying the new one.

If you want to extend the life of your machinery, battle corrosion, reduce wear and tear, or protect against unique environmental factors, all you need is the right protective coating. Unsure which one is right for your needs? We can help with that.

Talk to Hamilton Blast & Paint for a free estimate on our protective coating services today.

At Hamilton Blast & Paint, we’re proud to provide excellent protective coating services without the stress. Get in touch with us from anywhere in the Waikato region to arrange a mobile blasting and coating service, and we’ll come to you!