Coatings
Coatings are film-forming systems designed to reduce the ingress of aggressive agents into concrete, reduce moisture content, increase physical resistance, and improve resistivity.
The coatings can be made from many different binders (epoxy, acrylic, polyurethane, etc.) and can be water-based, solvent-based, or solvent-free.
Many surface protection systems are made up of several products, and there are either one, two, or more components available.
A coating can be applied to both horizontal and vertical structures and can range in thickness from 0.1 to 5.0 mm with a physical bonding to concrete.
The effect and expected lifetime of different systems will differ greatly depending on:
- The type of system used and its documented characteristics.
- The physical characteristics relate to moisture content and permeability to water vapour.
- The adhesion of the system itself as well as the pre-treatment of the substrate before application.
- The thickness to be applied concerning degradation by atmospheric conditions (rain, wind, UV) as well as expected abrasion by normal use.
Coatings are widely used to protect marine structures in many European countries.
All use of surface protection systems should be in accordance with EN 1504-9, and all products used in concrete structures must be documented and CE-marked according to EN 1504-2.
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