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10 Compatibility

Compatibility

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prajoshmech
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23 views4 pages

10 Compatibility

Compatibility

Uploaded by

prajoshmech
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Protective Coatings Application

Compatibility

© Copyright 2016 Fitz-Coatings Ltd


Compatibility

Objective
To understand the difference between compatibility and incompatibility in relation to industrial coatings. To
appreciate that not all generic coatings can be applied on top of each other, and provide long-term
performance.

All coatings have some solvent content.


Solvents reduce viscosity and aid application.
Solvents are already mixed in the paint.
Manufacturers usually recommend no more than 5% addition solvent.
All solvents have different degrees of strength.

Solvent and Solvent Strength


The strength of the solvent determines the compatibility between
the coats.

If a strong solvent coating is applied over a weak solvent coating


paint blistering and delamination is a possibility.

The result may not always be instant and paint failures some time
occur only after going into the surface.

Always seek expert advice.

Painting over an Existing Coating


This animation demonstrates a new coating being applied to an
existing coating or aged coating. The solvents in the new coating
can soften the existing coating leading to softening, rupture,
blistering or wrinkling.

This type of problem could occur if a two-part coating is applied


over a single part coating. The failure may not be seen
immediately. if the existing coating is old and a high solids two-
part coating is applied, the coatings may be, in fact, compatible to
some extent. A paint compatibility trial is always recommended.

Example of Solvent Strength


A coating with a strong solvent can blister or wrinkle a coating
which was dissolved in a weaker solvent.

This is demonstrated in this photograph.

If in doubt, conduct a test piece and seek advice from the paint
supplier.

Be aware the test piece will not always give instant results.

© Copyright 2016 Fitz-Coatings Ltd Page 1


Bleeding
Bleeding or bleed through is a compatibility issue generally found
on older structures where the paint is stained by diffusion of a
soluble coloured substance from the underlying paint to give
undesirable discolouration or staining.

Often seen where you overcoat bituminous or tar based coatings.

The overall coating may never fail in this particular situation.

Compatibility Issues
Although it is possible to get paint compatibility issues in any
industry or structure the problem is predominantly found on;

Older structures which have been coated (maybe more than


once) and may have unknown coatings applied.
General maintenance painting.
Steel structures which have some coatings applied in one
location and finished in another location such as fabrication
and construction projects.

Maintenance Painting
Where maintenance painting is being conducted, most of the
existing coating is generally left in place and only the areas of
coating breakdown are prepared and spot coated followed by the
overall coats.

Some initial solvent lifting (curling) may occur on the overlap which
can be abraded and re-coated later.

This may indicate a compatibility problem or just on the overlap


with one of the coatings.

Maintenance Painting
Maintenance painting specification should be developed by coating
experts who understand coating compatibility problems.

The work should be fully surveyed and samples of the coating


analyzed to establish the exact coating system.

Longer term paint test samples can also be done well in advance
of the overall works.

Compatibility Chart
Compatibility charts are available in the coatings industry.
Compatibility charts are generalized and may not be exact or
specific as some paints are variations of products.
Compatibility charts should be used as a guide only.

© Copyright 2016 Fitz-Coatings Ltd Page 2


Always get advice from the paint or coating supplier before
conducting compatibility tests.

Note: Just because you use the same supplier does not mean you
will not have a compatibility problem between products.

Compatibility
Always seek coating suppliers advice on paint compatibility.
Trials should be conducted by competent personnel such as
qualified coating inspectors.

Compatibility trials - use the same preparation and substrate


also the same environmental conditions.

The trial should be 1m x 1m ( 3ft x3ft ) as a minimum.

Brush, spray or roller application.

Check for visual defects i.e. wrinkling.

Check dry film thickness and cure.

Check cure and adhesion (7,14 days etc).

Summary
In this training unit, we have reviewed compatibility as a potential
issued when overcoating old or aged structures.

We have looked at examples and compatibility charts and


discussed the importance of seeking the supplier's advice on such
matters.

We also discussed that paint compatibility problems are not


always instantly visible.

Note: Paint compatibility tests will not generally be found on the


product data sheets

© Copyright 2016 Fitz-Coatings Ltd Page 3

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