Common Surface Coating Curing Methods

• Room temperature curing: Often used for RTV electroplastic coatings or RTV elastomeric coatings, room temperature curing involves allowing a coating to cure in ambient conditions with proper ventilation. The moisture in the air aids the curing process when relative humidity levels are optimal.
• Mild heat acceleration: This curing method is similar to room temperature curing, as the coating cures in ambient conditions for a specific period. Afterward, workers expose the coated surface to warmer conditions, per the coating manufacturer’s recommendations. This method is not appropriate for solvent-less heat cure coatings.
• Heat curing: Best for solvent-less heat cure coatings as they don’t require moisture to cure, this type of curing exposes a coated surface to temperatures above 100°C in an oven.
• UV curing: A process that uses ultraviolet lights to induce a photochemical reaction that quickly cures a surface coating without the use of solvents. A polymerization reaction, rather than evaporation, cures the coating.

In regards to curing for tank surface coating applications, it is important to keep in mind that curing processes often require specific air temperatures, surfaces temperatures and relative humidity levels to dry and cure properly. Conditions that are too cold or too humid, for instance, tend to increase drying and curing times. Conversely, hot, arid conditions speed up drying times, but might not allow a coating to cure properly.
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Contractors often encounter curing-related problems when they rely on the weather to cooperate rather than use Polygon’s temporary climate control solutions. The custom-designed solutions allow you create the optimal environmental conditions needed to maintain a tank’s ideal surface temperature and promote predictable curing times. Proactive contractors that use climate control systems ultimately save money, stay on-schedule, keep workers more productive, prevent costly delays and improve customer service. More importantly, use of the equipment helps prolong a protective coating’s duration because it cured properly during the application process. Contact grp panel water tank uae to learn more about how climate control systems will benefit your current and upcoming projects.

Surface coatings protect the inside of municipal water tanks from deterioration and corrosion, as it forms a physical barrier between the water and the walls of the tank. Some protective epoxy coatings also give tanks an added layer of chemical resistance. The best type of coating to use depends on the design of the tank, the material from which it is made and the standards outlined.

Fiberglass and polyethylene tanks, particularly those stored above ground, may require surface coatings on the exterior walls to protect them from the impact of UV rays. Without the protective coating, the tank’s exterior will degrade. It’s not uncommon for water tanks made of other materials to have an exterior surface coating that protects against the elements and prevents heat absorption.

The best time to apply surface coatings to a water tank is before its installation to protect it from:

• Spalls
• Leaks
• Abrasives (e.g., silt, sand and other debris in water)
• Sunlight
• Freezing weather
• Cracks
• Tensile stresses
• Scale
• Organic and inorganic deposits (e.g., calcium, biofilm, manganese and iron)
• Chemical attacks (e.g., low pH levels or acid in the water)
• Chlorine losses in the stored water

If a contractor didn’t apply a water tank surface coating before a tank’s installation, it is possible to apply it during maintenance.

The Importance of Surface Preparation before Applying a Water Tank Surface Coating

​Protective coatings extend the life of water tanks and help protect the water they hold. The success of the coatings depends on the tank’s surface preparation. It is not enough to merely power-wash or use washouts to prepare the surface because they don’t fully remove organic and inorganic deposits. Leftover deposits reduce the coating’s durability and cause it to bubble, crater or crack.

When applying surface coatings, it’s also crucial to create the ideal environment for it to dry. Depending on the time of year and the tank’s location, the temperatures and relative humidity levels may prolong a protective coat’s drying time. Temporary climate control solutions lower humidity levels and promote optimal surface temperatures for the water tank surface coating to adhere to the substrate.

Polygon specializes in temporary climate control solutions that improve the performance of protective coatings during the preparation, application and curing stages. The solutions will help you stay on top of deadlines, reduce maintenance costs and prolong the amount of time between coating applications. Contact GRP Panel Water Tank UAE today to learn more about implementing its solutions with your water tank maintenance projects.