A report is given on tests over a period of 3½ years at a Gulf Coast petrochemical plant to find coatings suitable for steel process vessels, piping and equipment operating in the range of 250-1200 F. Plant operation schedules frequently prevented proper application and curing. Coatings tested included silicones, aluminum coated steel, aluminum sheathing, alkyds, zinc rich organics, catalyzed epoxy, air drying phenolics, inorganic zinc silicates and others.
Tests showed best results were achieved using inorganic zinc silicate primers with various topcoats of other materials. Best among these were the inorganic zinc silicate/silicone topcoat and inorganic zinc silicate/inorganic silicate pigmented with zinc oxide systems. Conspicuous differences were noted in performance between surfaces sandblasted with large and small size grit. 5.4.8, 5.4.2
