Thermoplastic coatings: the ultimate in corrosion protection

Several industrial sectors as well as municipalities continue to struggle with it. How can they sustainably protect steel structures and metal objects such as street furniture, pipes, fencing and other industrial elements from the most extreme weather conditions? Which coating for outdoor applications resists corrosion and has an unprecedented longevity?

EUROLACKE is a leading supplier of thermosetting coatings and stands, because of its outstanding technical know-how, known as a knowledge partner in the field of surface treatment. John Theewis, directeur of EUROLACKE, recognizes the abovestanding problem and offers advice in this regard. "It's solvable," he responds immediately. "The highworthy thermoplastic coatings Plascoat® and Abcite® provide the solution here."

Plascoat®

As an example, Theewis refers to the Kulripa Bridge in Brisbane, Australia. At 470 m long and 6.5 m wide, the Kulripa Bridge is the largest pedestrian bridge in Australia. The bridge is constantly exposed to the demanding sea climate, and deterioration of its metal components then seems inevitable. After an extensive testing period, the durability of Plascoat® was the deciding factor. In 2011, the bridge's railings were coated with Plascoat® and today they still show no trace of corrosion.

Protection from coastal climate

A Zeeland municipality's maintenance problem is another good example. "This municipality had been struggling with the maintenance of its street furniture for years," Theewis says. "It was showing rust and moss deposits or simply wasn't beautiful anymore. How could it recondition the benches, public lighting and trash receptacles and better protect them from the coastal climate?" This is where Axalta Coating Systems' thermoplastic coating Abcite® X60 provided the solution. The street furniture was restored to top condition, resulting in lower maintenance costs and a significant extension of its service life.

Excellent features

The functional qualities of thermoplastic coatings such as Abcite® and Plascoat ® prove to be as unique as they are excellent. The coatings are corrosion-resistant (corrosion class CX according to ISO12944-6/-9) and UV- and weather-resistant. They are particularly plastic, making them resistant to scratches and abrasion. The coatings are applied in a single layer, have extremely good adhesion and edge coverage, and are resistant to many chemicals.

Widely applicable

In the development of the coatings, sustainability is always paramount. For example, the thermoplastic coatings are free of solvents, heavy metals and other toxic substances. This gives the coatings a high position on the sustainability ladder and ensures that the coatings can be used safely in a wide range of application areas. Theewis: "Think about the drinking water industry, oil and gas industry, shipbuilding and offshore industry. The coatings are used in the steel and automotive industries, but also for utilitarian objects such as the street furniture discussed."