Typical Protective Coating Specifications

The framework to assess and rank specifications presented in the previous section is based on commonly used specifications to protect structural steel against corrosion in applications such as building, bridges etc.

The following are some typical corrosion protection specifications all based on blast cleaning to Sa 2½ of ISO8501-1. For our information, Graham has included suggested service environments and a few pictures illustrating where these specifications have been used.

a) Conventional Epoxy specification

Standard UK Highways agency specification for use on motorway bridges. Expected life to first major maintenance in excess of 20 years, used on the Blythe Valley Bridge.

b) Zinc rich epoxy specification

Bridge specification. Used on Oresund crossing and Channel Tunnel Rail link structures

c) Zinc rich for buildings

Standard specification for external steel on buildings.

d) Zinc rich only specification

Cavity and perimeter steel in buildings

e) Epoxy Phosphate specification

In swimming pool environments. External steel easily maintainable.

f) Alkyd specification

g) Glass Flake Epoxy (GFE) specification for bridges

h) Glass Flake Epoxy (GFE) specification for offshore platforms

This document was prepared on 10 November 2000 by Graham Gedge