Advantages of Coal Tar Epoxies

Coal Tar epoxies are inexpensive compared to most non-coal tar epoxies. The offer
considerably more flex (or elongation) then regular epoxies. This makes them useful on
garage floors where turning/spinning tires will ‘stretch' the epoxy, as well is in situations with
a lot of expansion and contraction. Coal Tar epoxies are also famous for protection from
moisture, both in the water (such as barge hulls) and when buried underground (such as
pipelines and underground tanks). A key advantage of coal tar epoxies is its ability to bond to
oily surfaces (thanks to the hydrocarbon nature of the ‘tar').

Disadvantages of Coal Tar Epoxies

Coal Tar epoxies smell like tar/asphalt and leave an asphalt like stain on your hands, etc.
when working with the un-cured epoxy. It only comes in a tar black color. Coal tar is not
something you want to handle on a regular basis over a long periods of time.

Most or all of the other disadvantages of coal tar epoxies are often more about the epoxy
side of the mixture rather than the coal tar side. Issues here can include solvents in the
product, and poor resistance to UV (becoming more brittle and chalky), are the ones that
come to mind. There are also reports that weathered coal tar is difficult to recoat or topcoat.
At least some coal tar epoxies appear to leave behind an oily layer as the epoxies weather
away and this layer makes topcoating - recoating difficult or impossible. The coal tar that we
use does not appear to have this problem, at least it hasn't been reported to me yet.
Hot dipped Galvanizing

Lowest First Cost - Hot Dip Galvanizing is lower in first cost than many other commonly
specified protective coatings for steel.

Less Maintenance/Lowest Long Term Cost - Even in cases where the initial cost of hot dip
galvanizing is higher than alternative coatings, hot dip galvanizing is almost invariably more cost
effective in the long term because it lasts longer and needs less maintenance.

Long Life - The life expectancy of hot dip galvanized coatings on typical structural members is
far in excess of 50 years in most rural environments, and 20 to 25 years plus, even in severe
urban and coastal exposure.

Reliability - Galvanizing at Metalplate is carried out to the appropriateASTM Standards for hot
dip galvanizing. Coating life and performance are reliable and predictable.

Toughest Coating - A hot dip galvanized coating has a unique metallurgical structure which
gives outstanding resistance to mechanical damage in transport, erection, and service.

Automatic Protection For Damaged Areas - Hot Dip Galvanized coatings corrode preferentially
to steel, providing cathodic or sacrificial protection to small areas of steel exposed through
damage. Unlike organic coatings, small damaged areas need no touch up.

Complete Protection - Every part of a hot dip galvanized article is protected, even recesses,
sharp corners and inaccessible areas. No coating applied to a structure or fabrication after
completion can provide the same protection as hot dip galvanizing.

Ease of Inspection - Hot Dip Galvanized coatings are assessed readily by eye, and simple non-
destructive thickness testing methods can be used. The hot dip galvanizing process is such that
if coatings appear sound and continuous then they are sound and continuous.

Faster Erection Time - As hot dip galvanized steel members are received they are ready for use.
No time is lost on-site in surface preparation, painting and inspection. When assembly of the
structure is complete, it is immediately ready for use, or for the next construction stage.