This article describes the allotropic modification and atmospheric corrosion of pure tin. Corrosion of pure tin due to oxidation reaction, and reaction with the other gases, water, acids, bases, and other liquid media, is discussed. The article provides information on corrosion behavior on soft solders, pewter, bearing alloys, tin-copper alloys, and tin-silver alloys. It reviews the influence of corrosion on immersion tin coating, tin-cadmium alloy coatings, tin-cobalt coatings, tin-copper coatings, tin-lead coatings, tin-nickel coatings, and tin-zinc coatings. The general properties and corrosion resistance of tinplate are summarized. The article also describes the methods of corrosion testing of coatings; these include an analysis of coating thickness measurements, porosity and rust resistance testing, solderability test, and specific special tests.

The process of coating plastics with metals for functional purposes is called metallizing of plastics. This article discusses the metallizing of plastics, provides information on its history, and gives a short note on applications and adhesion properties of metallic coatings. It also discusses the selection of plastics for plating. This article also describes metallizing techniques, including plating (electrolytic or electroplating), vacuum metallizing and thermal spraying, and environmental considerations. The article discusses the quality assurance procedures for metallized plastic parts which include tests that assess the quality of the finish, coating thickness, adhesion, and corrosion resistance, and gives a short note on service performance, which includes service condition classifications.

This article discusses the standard conduct of coating failure investigation. As each failure is different, a specific coating failure may require increased emphasis on a given step, or additional work and/or steps may be required. This article covers the following topics: obtaining and analyzing background information, preliminary determination of site conditions, inspection equipment requirements, coating failure site investigation, sampling techniques, sample chain of custody, coordination with the coatings laboratory, report preparation, and sample retention.

Coatings, such as those applied to ships, must be resistant to abrasion, in the case of cargo hold coatings, and cyclic changes of chemicals and tank cleaning, in the case of tank linings. Failures and defects can manifest themselves at various times in the life of a coating. To determine the cause and mechanism of coating failure, all possible contributory factors must be evaluated together with a detailed history from the time of application to the time the failure was first noted. Many coating failures require further evaluation and analysis to be carried out by a qualified chemist or coating specialist, often using specialized laboratory equipment. The article presents examples of coating failures and defects, together with descriptions, probable causes, and suggested preventative measures.

This article commences with a description of the applications of galvanized coatings and provides information on metallurgical characteristics, such as coating thickness and alloying elements. It examines the effect of galvanizing process on the mechanical properties of steels and briefly describes the cleaning procedures of iron and steel pieces, before galvanizing. The article discusses the different types of conventional batch galvanizing practices. Information on the galvanizing of silicon-killed steels is also presented. The article concludes with helpful information on batch galvanizing equipment and galvanizing post treatments.

The process of transferring coating materials from the container to the surface to be coated can be accomplished in a number of ways. This article describes seven methods of coating application: brushes, rollers, and daubers; conventional air spray; high-volume low-pressure spray; airless spray; air-assisted airless spray; plural-component spray; and electrostatic spray. Factors to be considered when deciding on an application method include the size and configuration of the surfaces to be coated, the type of coating being applied, environmental regulations/restrictions, the proximity to other operations or personnel, and the recommendations of the coating manufacturer.

A coating can be defined as a substance spread over a surface to provide protection or to serve decorative purposes. This article discusses two industrial coating components, namely, nonvolatile components such as the resin or binder, pigments, and any additives that may be incorporated into the formulation; and volatile components such as solvents, or water in emulsions and their composition. It provides general information on volatile organic compounds. The article describes the film-forming mechanisms of various coating types, namely, lacquers, chemically converting coatings, latex coatings, alkyds and other resins, which cure by oxidation, moisture-curing polyurethanes and inorganic zinc primers, and powder coatings. The article concludes with a discussion on the functions of the primer, intermediate coat, and topcoat in coating systems.

Maintenance coating is an important part of any meaningful asset-preservation strategy in facilities producing pulp and paper and other chemicals. This article discusses maintenance coating for carbon steel structures and process equipment exposed to normal external pulp and paper mill atmospheric conditions. The important requirements and standards for surface preparation are emphasized and common issues encountered in maintenance coating projects are described.

This article describes the features, benefits and limitations of petrolatum and microcrystalline wax. It provides a detailed discussion on the steps to be followed before applying the various forms of the wax-based coatings. The wax-based coating forms include petrolatum and microcrystalline tapes, marine petrolatum-based pile systems; cold-applied petrolatum-based paste coating systems; hot-applied microcrystalline wax flood coating systems; wax-based dips, brushons, and sprays; and wax-impregnated fabrics and wax-coated papers. The article also discusses the applications and limitations of these wax-based coatings. It concludes by highlighting the steps involved in the installation of wax-based casing fillers.

Independent verification of coating system performance can be based on laboratory testing and/or field exposure. Qualification testing is a critical component to coating system selection. This article focuses on performance evaluations that are used to prequalify coating systems, namely, facility-specific, industry-specific, coating-type-specific, or a combination of these. It describes the standard laboratory tests used to generate performance data, namely, physical, compositional, chemical exposure, and application characteristics tests. The pros and cons of using manufacturer-generated data versus independently generated data are discussed. The article provides information on accelerated corrosion/weathering testing and nuclear level 1/level 2 service coatings qualification. It also describes the procedures for establishing minimum performance requirements and for determining when requalification testing may be required.

This article discusses the environmental influences on protective coating films that can result in deterioration. These environmental factors can be classified into four groups: (1) energy: solar, heat; (2) permeation: moisture, solvent, chemical, and gas; (3) stress: drying and curing-internal stress, and vibration-external stress; and (4) biological influences such as microbiological, mildew, and marine fouling.

This article reviews the various substrates for coatings, namely, steel, cast iron, galvanized steel, aluminum, stainless steel, nonferrous metals, concrete, and wood. General guidance for surface preparation and coating selection is provided along with unique requirements for the particular substrate(s).

Porcelain enamels are glass coatings applied primarily to products or parts made of sheet steel, cast iron, and aluminum to improve appearance and to protect the metal surface. This article describes the types of porcelain enamels, and details enamel frits for these materials. It provides a list of steels suitable for porcelain enameling and discusses the most important factors considered in the selection of steel for porcelain enameling. The article briefly presents the preparation methods of these materials for porcelain enameling and covers the methods, and furnaces of porcelain enameling. It examines the role of coating thickness, firing time and temperature, metal substrate, and color on the performance of enameled surfaces. The article concludes with a discussion on the properties of enameled surfaces, factors considered in process control, and test procedures for evaluating the quality of enameled surfaces.