Applying Chemical Resistant Coatings

There are numerous chemicals in the world, some natural and others man-made.

While there is no doubt that the majority of them add value to our lives, it is equally certain that chemicals have a negative side-effect, one of the most common of which is the corrosion that they cause on things, whether wood, metal, or concrete, to name just a few substances.

Much effort has been taken to battle the corrosion caused by chemicals; one of the most common is the manufacture of chemical resistant coatings. Among these many coatings is epoxy, and it is important to know that there are wide variations of epoxy, each made to tackle a specific need.

Epoxy concrete paint is a popular product for treating concrete floors.

Epoxy, itself, is twice as strong as concrete, waterproof, and seamless. Additionally, its strength, durability, and beauty make it an ideal resurfacing choice in garages and basements.

Before mentioning specific examples of the use of epoxy as a chemical resistant coating, you should know that it is made in different thicknesses, colors and levels of hardening.

Some epoxies are specifically manufactured for wood, such as floors, ship decks, furniture and patios. Other chemical resistant epoxies specifically designed to protect things such as electrical components, steel and concrete.

Some epoxies are aimed at protecting highly-heated areas; others are specifically aimed at protecting areas with low temperature. There are various ways that these chemically resistant compounds are applied, including by spray, brush and roller.

An example of an epoxy’s use as a chemical resistant helps to clarify matters. While it is common to mention their use in medical laboratories and pharmacies, because the public generally has little, if any, contact with either of these, this example has little impact. Instead, it is better to consider the following two examples.

Do you have a concrete garage that has been corroded by acetic acid, diesel oil and the like? If so the right epoxy can be used to fill any pot holes and cracks, leveling the concrete floor and protecting it from further corrosion. This is what epoxy garage flooring is all about!

Similarly, if your patio furniture is corroded, you can use an epoxy to fills its cracks and put a beautiful finish on it that will significantly delay any future chemical corrosion to it.

What makes this system unique is that it is a two-part coating that cures on the concrete through a chemical reaction. The product is spread on the surface in a thick coating so that minor imperfections in the surface are covered up to leave a glossy, hard finish. Larger problems such as cracks in the concrete must be tackled first.

Epoxy resin is one of the most durable countertop materials available on the market, and they made it that way for a reason: it is most frequently used for laboratory countertops and work surfaces.

For those looking for the strongest and most chemically and thermally shock-resistant countertop, epoxy resin is the most natural choice. A polymer substance often composed of epichlorohydrin and bisphenol-A (in some epoxy resins, the bisphenol is replaced by similar compounds), epoxy resin can credit the strong covalent bonds between its molecules for its extreme durability.

First synthesized by a Swiss and an American professor in 1936, after roughly a decade of attempts, epoxy resin has sold very well worldwide since its pre-wartime debut. It is now ubiquitous in every educational and commercial setting.