Anti-Corrosion Coatings: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Anti-corrosion coatings protect materials from the damaging effects of corrosion and rust.
As a result, they are essential solutions for applications involving metallic components in all industries.
The global anti-corrosion coatings market is expected to reach a value of £31.4 billion by 2027, growing at a rate of 4.6%. The increasing demand for thin metallic components in lightweight products, which are prone to corrosion, accounts for this growth. This has led manufacturers across every sector to look for more innovative corrosion-protection solutions, gaining a competitive edge in this growing market.
Here we answer the top frequently asked questions on anti-corrosion coatings:
What are the advantages of anti-corrosion coatings?
Anti-corrosion coatings provide various advantages to applications in a corrosive environment, including:
- Prevention of corrosion, oxidation or rust – reducing the need for repairs and maintenance, and therefore costs.
- Improved aesthetics – leaving no marks as a result of eliminated corrosion.
- Minimised wear and friction – reduced repair and maintenance costs; longer re-lubrication intervals.
- Reduced noise – improved consumer experience.
- Prevention of unexpected downtimes – lack of corrosion leads to increased durability due to protection from corrosive conditions.
- Extended service life – Protecting components and systems from external contaminants from moisture to dirt allows the original lifespan to be extended; due to the premium substrates being protected from potentially damaging factors.
Where can anti-corrosion coatings be used?
Anti-corrosion coatings are commonly used on:
- Washers
- Nuts & bolts
- Screws
- Gears
- Cylinders
- Railway tracks
- Engine parts
- Turbine components
- Vehicles
- Components for storage or transportation
How do anti-corrosion coatings protect against corrosion?
Anti-corrosion coatings protect against corrosion by preventing contact between corrosive materials, environments and conditions.
Many anti-corrosion coatings also provide additional protective properties in this way, such as weathering resistance, abrasion protection and wear protection.
What are the different types of anti-corrosion coatings?
There are 3 main types of anti-friction coatings, ranging from:
- Barrier: prevent external conditions from affecting the substrate through a non-porous layer.
- Sacrificial: an additive layer on top of the substrate which self-corrodes to protect the substrate; remains effective if the film is damaged.
- Inhibitive: a passive layer which reacts with humidity and metals to provide protection; standard in primers.
It’s important to discuss with an expert regarding your application before choosing an anti-friction coating.
How do I choose an anti-corrosion coating for my application?
Important factors to consider when choosing an anti-corrosion coating are:
- Substrate/material of the component
- Service temperatures
- Humidity, mist and water exposure
- Chemical exposure
- Salt exposure
- Dust and dirt exposure
- Operating speeds (if the application is moving)
The anti-corrosion effect of the coatings will be maximised when these specifications match as closely as possible to that of the application. As with many specialty chemicals, there are various anti-corrosion solutions for a range of demanding applications; from temperature-specific protection to protecting components against extremely dirty environments.
What anti-corrosion coatings does Antala offer?
Here at Antala, we offer a wide range of anti-friction coatings from our top anti-corrosion coating brands Tectyl and Molykote. Anti-corrosion coatings have been used in car underbody protection, overseas storage and the marine sector to extend component and system lifespan, reduce repairs and ultimately lower maintenance and repair costs and time.
Tectyl 506 is a multi-purpose corrosion prevention compound that can be used in various applications. It provides excellent protection of metallic surfaces against corrosion in the automotive, bus & truck, marine, rail and aviation industries. It is wax-based and fast-drying. Various grades of Tectyl 506 exist, including Tectyl 506-WD (water displacement), Tectyl 506-EH (extra-heavy) and Tectyl 506-G (gelled).
Molykote D-321 R is a dry, air-curing anti-friction coating ideal for metal/metal combinations with slow to medium-fast movements and high loads. It is also suitable for permanently lubricating sliding guides with high forces and low sliding speeds, oscillating movements or intermittent work.
