Performance Assessment of Differently Dried Coating Systems for Potential Application in the Power Transformer Industry

Influence of Catalytic Infrared Radiation on the Protective Properties of Industrial Epoxy Primers

The application of organic coatings is a common way of protecting metal substrates against corrosion. To dry the coating faster, catalytic infrared radiation (IR) can be applied. This paper aims to assess the differences in the physical, chemical, and corrosion properties of primer coatings dried with catalytic infrared radiation, compared to the same coatings dried under atmospheric conditions. Corrosion properties were characterized using humidity and a salt spray chamber, as well as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), preceded by open circuit potential (OCP) measurement. Pencil hardness, cross-cut, and pull-off adhesion tests were used to compare the properties of examined primers before and after testing in the corrosion acceleration chambers. The microstructure and distribution of chemical composition were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) together with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Phase transitions in the coating were determined by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Infrared-dried primers achieved a higher curing degree. Therefore, their mechanical and corrosion properties are superior when compared to the same coatings dried under atmospheric conditions.

Durability and Corrosion Properties of Waterborne Coating Systems on Mild Steel Dried under Atmospheric Conditions and by Infrared Radiation

Increasing attention is given to waterborne coatings for corrosion protection due to the lower ecological impact on the environment. It has been found that by using waterborne coatings, the emission of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is reduced by more than 50 g/L. However, they require longer drying time, their anti-corrosion performance is not as good as solvent-borne coatings and they still have not been developed for all corrosion environments. Another way to reduce VOCs is by using infrared (IR) drying technology. With catalytic infrared radiation, it is possible to cure all surfaces at notably reduced costs compared to traditional systems and in total respect for the environment, thanks to significant energy savings and minimal CO₂ emissions. The aim of this paper was to evaluate corrosion protective properties of waterborne coatings which were dried with traditional and accelerated drying techniques, i.e., under atmospheric conditions and by using IR technology. Two different coating systems were applied, with and without Zn in the primer. To achieve this goal, the test samples were subjected to electrochemical, corrosion, and physical tests. It was shown that infrared technology does not affect the quality of the coating and it drastically reduces the intercoating interval. A coating system with zinc in the primer showed better overall protection properties after being subjected to impedance and salt spray testing, but generally, solvent-borne coatings still have higher durability than waterborne in extreme marine conditions according to recent research. Microstructure and porosity remained intact and the atomic force microscope confirmed that the flash-off was conducted correctly since there were no pinholes and blisters detected on the coating's surface. This study can serve as a foundation for further investigations of IC-dried waterborne coatings because there are not many at the moment.