Anti-corrosion treatment of steel structures is essential to ensure their longevity and structural integrity. Steel, although a strong and versatile structural material, is susceptible to corrosion when exposed to certain environments, especially those with moisture, salt and chemicals. Effective anti-corrosion treatments can significantly extend the life of steel structures such as bridges, buildings, industrial plants and marine structures.
1. Surface preparation
Cleaning: the steel surface must be thoroughly cleaned to remove rust, scale, dirt, oil and other contaminants. This is often done by methods such as sandblasting, power tool cleaning or chemical cleaning.
Profiling: creating a surface profile can help protective coatings adhere better. Abrasive blasting is commonly used to achieve the desired surface texture.
2. Applying the primer
Applying the primer: A corrosion-preventing primer is applied as the first layer of protection. Primers are specially formulated to provide a good bonding surface for subsequent coatings and prevent rust formation.
Types of primers: common types include epoxy primers, zinc-rich primers and inorganic zinc silicate primers. The choice of primer depends on the specific environmental conditions and the type of topcoat used.
3. Paint application
Choice of coating: the choice of coating depends on the environment where the steel structure is located. Common options include epoxy coatings, polyurethane coatings and alkyd coatings.
Application Methods: Coatings can be applied by brush, roller or spraying device. The method chosen often depends on the size of the structure and the type of coating.
Multiple coats: often multiple coats are applied to ensure complete coverage and optimum thickness.