Surface Treatment 101

Coatings
23SET

The world’s blackest paint: How it works

In the last few years, some ultra matte and ultra flat black paints have been developed that can absorb up to 99% of light. This particular property does not only create unprecedented aesthetics, but it also opens the way to truly unique applications. Let us see what the world’s blackest paint is and what sectors it can be used in.

Read more
How it's coated
26LUG

How the Louvre Abu Dhabi is coated

The Louvre Abu Dhabi attracts millions of visitors every year. Located on Sa'diyyat Island, its building is considered a unique piece of architecture. This article explores how the Abu Dhabi museum of art and civilisation was built and painted.

Read more
How it's coated
08GIU

How to paint a space rover

In this article, we take a closer look at the characteristics of paints for space applications and at how they are applied, taking as an example the paintwork of Perseverance, the space rover of NASA's Mars 2020 mission.

Read more
Corrosion
03MAG

Cathodic protection: what is it, how does it work, where is it applied, and what are its benefits?

One of the most popular methods to ensure corrosion protection of difficult-to-reach assets, such as underground or submerged pipelines, is cathodic protection. Developed in the first half of the 19th century to protect the metal hulls of warships, it is now widely used not only on large structures but also on the inside of water heaters or boilers for private use. Let us take a detailed look at its main features and applications.

Read more
Coatings
10MAR

Anti-graffiti paints: what are they and how do they work?

Vandalism is a widespread phenomenon in almost all urban settings, where graffiti, writings, and tags often deface building façades, street furniture, and public transport. Anti-graffiti paint is one solution to counteract and discourage them. In this article, we will look at what anti-graffiti coatings are, how they work, and where to apply them.

Read more
How it's coated
10FEB

How do you paint an aircraft?

Painting an aircraft is a very complex process that requires up to two weeks of work and, sometimes, over one thousand litres of paint. Coatings are certainly important to improve aesthetics, but their main role is actually to protect the aeroplane against corrosion while improving its aerodynamic properties. 

Read more
Industrial cleaning
15DIC

Industrial cleaning of metals: its importance, processes, and technologies

Industrial cleaning is a very important (and sometimes underestimated) step in ensuring that a component performs the function for which it has been designed, contributing to the efficient and long-lasting operation of the system of which it is a part. This article gives an overview of the main cleaning processes available, the technologies currently on the market, and the sectors in which they are applied.

Read more
Corrosion
30NOV

The corrosion of the Morandi Bridge: the story of a predictable collapse?

Corrosion is present in our everyday lives more than we think. The progressive deterioration it causes can have devastating effects and weaken essential structures such as the metal reinforcements of bridges. In this article, we will try to understand if and how corrosion may have influenced the partial collapse of a bridge that first became a symbol of engineering innovation and then of an unforgettable tragedy: the Polcevera Viaduct, known to everyone as the Morandi Bridge.

Read more