4 Things To Consider When Selecting A High Temperature Coating
High temperature coatings offer corrosion resistance and heat protection. Providing safety and durability to products and machinery, these coatings are deployed in every industry, from food and beverage to chemical processing. Choosing the right high temperature coating for your business can be challenging, but four factors can help you select the correct coating.
These coatings need to withstand the expected temperature ranges of the surfaces they are applied to. They also need to handle the elements' application characteristics and have great color stability. Our coatings accomplish all of this and more.
Let's take a closer look at these four factors and what it takes for a high temperature application to stand up to tough conditions.
What Are High Temperature Coatings?
High temperature coatings can withstand extreme temperatures found in commercial and industrial settings. These coatings retain their protective and aesthetic qualities even when exposed to long-term, extreme heat. High temperature coatings can be rated to withstand temperatures as low as 300 Fahrenheit or even temperatures in the thousands of degrees.
These high temperature coatings are crucial for a variety of reasons. Color coding with high temperature coatings is mandated in certain industries as a way to distinguish different surfaces. It's important that your coatings can retain their color without degradation as that would lead to confusion in your color-coding systems and expensive re-coatings.
High temperature coatings can also provide protection and corrosion resistance. You can think about these coatings as an outer layer of armor protecting the tools and infrastructure they coat. This is why it's important to find high temp coatings that can stand up to the use conditions you're planning on.
Whether you're looking for new high temperature coatings for an industrial application or you're thinking about protecting your backyard grill, these coatings can provide corrosion resistance as well as helping your device to look like new again.
4 Things To Consider When Selecting A High Temperature Coating
There is much to consider when shopping for high temperature coatings. We will be focussing on the four most important points you should consider when selecting a coating. These are the four key factors that go into deciding any coating, regardless of your industry or device that you are looking to protect.
Let's dive into four important points to consider when selecting a high temperature coating.
- Temperature Range
When shopping around for your high temp coating, the first thing you should consider is the temperature range that your coating will be exposed to. This is the most important thing to consider as this affects the chemical makeup and application method for your coating.
If you seek a coating for a product that will not exceed 400 degrees Fahrenheit, you can opt for an organic coating. Organic compounds can withstand these temperatures and are an excellent choice for providing long-lasting corrosion resistance at lower temperatures.
Once the temperature exceeds 400 degrees, you must consider synthetic coating options, such as silicon. These coatings are ideal for intensive industrial applications as well as for cooking.
Our team can work with you to ensure that the coating can withstand the temperature ranges that your applications may face. We have expertise with a wide variety of Industries providing us with insight into the demands that our high temperature coatings must withstand.
- Coating Classifications
The type of coating chosen is just as crucial as its temperature rating. Each coating has its own unique set of properties that is designed to withstand specific circumstances.
Coating types can generally be seen in three categories: 1) Diffusional coating, 2) Overlay coating, 3) Thermal Barrier coating. The third type, considered as the overlay coating widely used for critical high temperature conditions such as combustion chambers, and rotating blades. Choosing the right application is the key to ensuring that you get the coating you're looking for.
The thermal diffusion coating process forms a protective layer that is physically diffused into the underlying layer. In addition, the aluminum-rich inclusions dispersed on the surface serve to heal any micro fissures, cracks or porosity in the coating, while the zinc provides a sacrificial barrier against corrosion. Overlay coatings are a functionally gradient coating system designed to provide high temperature corrosion protection over a wide range of operating conditions. Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are used to achieve higher operating temperatures while protecting the metallic substrates from degradation.
- Coating Environment
Where your coatings are going to be is just as important as the temperatures they will face and the application you're looking for. We're going to take a look at the three most common environments in which coated surfaces can be found. These are indoor, outdoor, and industrial applications.
- Indoor
With minimal exposure to the outdoor elements, basic high-temperature coatings will be sufficient to protect within kitchens, grills, and other indoor applications.
Also, keep in mind that some industries have their own specific standards for indoor high temperature coatings.
- Outdoor
Outdoor elements, UV radiation from the sun and rain are two major components that can wear down a high-temperature coating if not rated for an outdoor application.
This is why we provide high temperature coatings that can withstand these elements. These coatings can negate the harmful impact of UV radiation and stand up to rainwater exposure.
We can also work with you to ensure that your high temperature coating can reach its curing temperature before exposure to the elements could jeopardize the protection that it offers.
- Industrial
The most extreme use for high-temperature coatings are industrial environments where your coatings will be exposed to harsh chemicals, heavy machinery, and a general level of wear and tear that goes well beyond occasional rainwater.
These coatings are purpose-built to withstand the uses of your specific industry. Whether you're operating a chemical manufacturing plant or coating the inside of a gun, high temperature coatings are built to last in even the toughest Industries.
Industrial applications often require the most robust high temperature coatings. These are working conditions exposing the coating to more than just temperature fluctuation. These coatings need to withstand all of the wear and tear that comes with serious work without losing their color stability or corrosive resistance.
- Aesthetics - Color Stability
Color stability is important not only for appearance. You rely on the high temperature coatings for safety and operations but also to retain its color after extreme use conditions.
Many industries use color-coding to inform workers about what's transported through pipelines, their temperature, and other crucial safety information. There's also something to be said for a product that looks just as good five years down the road as the year it was coated. Our team ensures that each high-temperature coating applied lives up to the highest color stability standards.
Color stability also directly translates to cost savings. The longer your high temperature coating is going to maintain its coloration and protective features, the less often you're going to have to have it reapplied. This means that your business will be able to lower these necessary overhead costs by having a more reputable company apply your high temperature coatings.
The Next Step In Choosing The Ideal High Temperature Coating
Now you know the four most important factors to consider when selecting a high-temperature coating. It would help if you considered the temperature rating, the coating classifications, the physical environment that coating will be placed in, and the color stability standards you're looking for. Our team can help you select the high temperature coating that's right for your application and provide you with the knowledge that you need to make the ideal decision or for your business.
Reach out to us today to learn more about high temperature coatings and our expert services.