The solvent-free system Belzona 5871 offered thermal insulation for a metal tank and created long-lasting safety and durability.
The international provider of corrosion protection solutions Belzona has recently announced that it has collaborated with a global oil and gas company in order to provide thermal insulation for a metal tank
at one of its lubricant plants. Belzona offered its two-component polymeric solvent-free system Belzona 5871 to lower the temperature of the metal surface, prevent burns and halt corrosion.
The upper surface of the tank, that reaches a temperature of 110° C (230° F), serves as a walkway for operators, causing a hazard for the employees that risk receiving contact burns from the hot metal substrate. According to the guidance set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the maximum temperature for exposed surfaces that a person could come into contact with is 60° C (140° F), in line with ASTM C1055. In addition, the tank surface had been experiencing pitting corrosion, so it also required pit filling and a protective coating that would prevent it from corroding further.
Belzona 5871 is designed to be applied to metal pipework, ducting and other industrial equipment in order to ensure thermal insulation, provide protection against contact-burn injuries and eliminate corrosion. It can be applied by brush, cartridge or plural spray, expanding upon application to produce a lightweight closed-cell foam. Moreover, since it only needs two coats, the system developed by Belzona enables quick turnaround times.
The surface of the metal tank has been prepared by vapor blasting the substrate to meet SSPC-SP10 (Near-White Metal) standards and degreased. Then, the personnel applied Belzona 5871 using a short-bristled brush at the target thickness of 1000 µm (39 mil) wet film thickness, which results in 3000 µm (118 mil) dry film thickness. The second coat has been applied six hours later. Twelve hours later, the tank was back to full service.