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What are the benefits of high-temperature coatings?

What are the benefits of high-temperature coatings?

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Oct 25,21

High-temp paint and coatings can cause remarkable improvements in the expected life spans for items that are exposed to extreme temperatures often, says Emily Newton.

What are the benefits of high-temperature coatings?

High-temperature coatings are essential additions to components that could easily erode or malfunction if the heat rises too much. In certain industries, such as aviation, parts have an above-average likelihood of enduring hot conditions for prolonged periods. Options such as high-temp paint give the necessary protection. Here are some other advantages.

Giving high protection without a long curing time

Although the characteristics vary depending on the type of coating used, options exist that allow people to apply the product and not deal with the downsides of waiting a long time for it to cure.

For example, one type of high-temp paint designed for automotive applications tolerates temperatures up to 1,300 F, making it a good choice for components such as the engine. After itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s sprayed on, the product dries and hardens in one hour.

The quick application method, combined with the fast-drying time, makes it ideal if a person or company wants to see how it works on a few parts before using it more widely. ItÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s also useful in cases where itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s necessary to paint an entire fleet and not take the vehicles out of commission for too long.

Improving the performance of other temperature-resistant components

High-temperature coatings can also affect how well other additions made for high-heat stand up against the conditions. For example, car racing enthusiasts and professionals often use header wraps for the exhaust system and the engine compartment. Besides keeping things cooler, advocates for this method believe it can also increase horsepower Ã¢â‚¬â€ a notable advantage in the racing world.

Some of these wraps tolerate 1,800 F of direct heat and 2,500 degrees of intermittent heat. The preparation measures include coating the wraps with a high-temperature silicone spray before applying them. Since the spray helps protect the wraps from abrasion and dirt, itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s a practical way to ensure they hold up well during use.

This example shows how a high-temperature coating can improve the life span of a component applied to a vehicle to withstand harsh heat. Taking that extra step should lead to better results overall.

Ensuring products meet customer expectations

Coatings are layers on products that customers may not notice. However, if they were not included, people would almost certainly see the difference. In many cases, high-temperature coatings are crucial for helping the product hold up to ongoing use.

For example, some powder coatings tolerate up to 1,020 F and provide corrosion resistance, too. Some powder coatings are specifically designed for engines.

One of the main benefits of using powder coatings is the available versatility. For example, a company may apply them to items ranging from underground parts to delicate electronics components. Another way to safeguard against corrosion is to choose certain metals to use for plating. People often coat steel and iron with tin because it does not rust naturally.

Minimising fire damage in buildings

Some types of high-temp paint react in specific ways to fire exposure. Selecting the right kind could mean a blaze does not destroy a building as thoroughly as it otherwise might.

Intumescent paints cause a chemical reaction after a fire. They produce foam and cause the previously thin coating to expand. Some types become 25 to 50 times thicker, protecting the surface underneath from flames. The layer can also stop steel from buckling. Cementitious coatings give the fire-resistance of cement but in a lightweight and relatively inexpensive product. However, the potential downsides are that the coating process is labor-intensive, and people must apply several coats.

Whether the surface in question is frequently visible also comes into play when choosing between these two coatings. Cementitious coatings are not aesthetically pleasing, so people often apply them to surfaces people donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t often see, such as the underside of roofs. However, intumescent paints are the better choices in parts of a building that are more obvious to the public.

Lengthening product life spans

High-temp paint and coatings can also cause remarkable improvements in the expected life spans for items that are exposed to extreme temperatures often. Recent research shows whatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s possible with efforts to make aircraft engines last longer.

The process requires applying several layers. However, that approach causes a chemical reaction with desirable results. Ã¢â‚¬Å“When we deposit a very thin layer of hafnia on top of silicon, followed by a layer of ytterbium disilicate, the oxygen that passes through the ytterbium disilicate creates a chemical reaction with the underlying materials to form the hafnon,Ã¢â‚¬Â University of Virginia researcher Jeroen Deijkers said.

Deijkers explained some of the advantages of this method. For example, in addition to making engine parts last longer despite the high temperatures associated with combustion, this advancement could also make planes more efficient. ThatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s because engine efficiency rises as combustion temperatures get hotter.

High-temperature coatings bring practical advantages

These are just some of the many reasons why itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s often highly advisable to use high-temperature coatings in specific applications. Getting the best outcomes requires understanding the conditions a component is likely to endure, then evaluating whether high-temp paint could make it more resilient.

About the author:

Emily Newton is a tech and industrial journalist and the Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized Magazine. Subscribe to the Revolutionized newsletter for more content from Emily.