Miller Electric Mfg. Co.

An Illinois Tool Works Company

1635 West Spencer Street
Appleton, WI 54912
920-734-9821

Date: May 18, 2015

Subject: Corrosion Testing – Zinc Rich Primer and Powder Top Coat vs Stainless Steel

To: Whom it may concern,

Miller Electric has conducted testing to compare the effectiveness of the paint system currently used on Big
Blue products vs stainless steel. The current paint system consists of a thorough pre-treatment process,
followed by an epoxy based zinc rich primer that is applied in advance of the ultra-durable top coat color -
typically blue or black, depending on placement on the machine.

The zinc rich primer promotes a secure bond to the base substrate, actively resists oxidation, promotes self-
healing characteristics when scratched, and provides additional edge protection. An ultra-durable polyester
powder top coat is applied over the primer coat to give an extra layer of coverage to provide mar resistance,
UV, chemical, and corrosion protection. This also provides the UV protection needed to keep the epoxy
based zinc from breaking down under prolonged direct exposure to the sun’s intense UV rays.

It is well known that on a typical jobsite, welding is often accompanied by grinding. The process of
grinding throws tiny metal fragments through the air, often landing on the welding power source. These
metal fragments tend to cling or stick to stainless steel panels, quickly becoming a spot for rust to begin.
Paint by its nature does not allow the metal fragments to cling or stick as easy, allowing it to be cleaned
with a simple wash or exposure to rain.

Sample panels – 2 each of 304 stainless, 201 stainless, carbon steel with blue powder paint & zinc primer
and carbon steel with black powder paint & zinc primer were prepared and exposed to 5% salt @100%
humidity in a test chamber per ASTM B-117 testing requirements.

The following photo shows the final results of the test panels after an extended test period with over 4700
hours of exposure.

Conclusion: The carbon steel samples with epoxy based zinc rich primer and powder top coat performed
exceptionally well throughout the test, showing only a few small spots of rust on the edge and not allowing
it to grow.
Joseph Gitter
Technical Applications Specialist, Industrial Engine Drive
Miller Electric Mfg. Co. An ITW Welding Company