Problem Solving Forum
March 23 - March 27, 2015
What are the criteria for selecting coatings for application during extreme (atmospheric) heat?
Selected Answers
From
Warren Brand of Chicago Corrosion Group on
April 1, 2015:
The most obvious one is the cure time of the mater ...read more
The most obvious one is the cure time of the material and its maximum application tolerance. Coatings will have on their product data sheet the maximum temperature at which they can be applied. There are only a handful of ways to deal with this. First, find a coating system that can tolerate the extreme heat. Second, if you're set on using a specific coating system, contact the coating manufacturer and talk to technical support. It's not uncommon for materials to have "wiggle room" in terms of their application characteristics, but the manufacturer wants to stay away from those limits. We worked on a project many years ago in Chicago, in the dead of winter, where we had to apply an elastomer in temperatures below 30F. The product data sheet indicated that it couldn't be applied below 35F. When we spoke with the head chemist, he said they put that on the sheet to avoid contractors applying the material below freezing but that, if done carefully, it could be applied down to 15F. It also may be the case, after checking with technical support, that there may be additives which can be added to the material which would allow for successful application at elevated temps. Third, tarp the asset and/or encapsulate it and cool it. Lastly, if possible, work at night.