Chemical Resistant

Coatings: Types
and Standard Tests
The coating on the surface works as the main
protection from external strains and interactions or
a harsh environment. However, coatings get
exposed to chemicals and acids either during
cleaning products, spills, or fumes. So, it becomes
imperative that the outmost layer of the coating has
the required ability to resist chemical attacks and
protect the substrate from contamination.
The key factors by which a chemical medium can
affect the coating layer include:

•Type of chemical (solvents, acids, alkalis, salts, and

other substances)
•The concentration of chemical exposed
•Time and degree of exposure to the chemical
•Temperature
•Type of substrate
 For example, a coating might be resistant to a
concentrated chemical at low temperature;
however, it may degrade when exposed to dilute
concentration at high temperature.

Further, these chemical attacks can lead to

swelling, discoloration, adhesion loss, gloss
reduction, blistering and so on which can
ultimately lead to the deterioration of
performance and, eventually, failure under the
given condition.
Types of Chemical
Resistant Coatings
 These coatings protect against
acids, alkalis, solvents, caustic
fluids, fuels, fatty acids, salt or
Epoxy- sugar solutions, chemical cleaning
based detergents and more. Upon thermal
curing, they offer excellent impact
resistance, plus corrosion and
abrasion resistance.
 Such coatings are resistant to
Polyurethane organic caustic fluids, acids and
-based alkalis, fuel and hydraulic oils, and
solvents.
 Such coatings are resistant to
Polyurethane organic caustic fluids, acids and
-based alkalis, fuel and hydraulic oils, and
solvents.
 These coatings are resistant to a
concentrated form of sulfuric acid,
hydrochloric acid, transmission
Phenolic fluid, gasoline, formaldehyde,

-based phenol, and numerous other

chemicals. As compared to PU and
epoxy coatings, these are ideal for
low pH and high temperatures.
 Such coatings are well known for its
non-sticking properties.
Fluoropolymers are resistant to a
Fluoropol wide range of chemicals, including
concentrated sulfuric, nitric,
ymer- hydrochloric and phosphoric acids.
based For example, PTFE can withstand
high temperatures (300°C) and FEP
offers the same benefits as PTFE
with better abrasion resistance.
Tests
 This test method covers the
determination of the effect of
ASTM D1308 - household chemicals on clear and
02(2013) – Standard
Test Method for pigmented organic finishes,
Effect of Household resulting in any objectionable
Chemicals on Clear
alteration in the surface, such as
and Pigmented
Organic Finishes discoloration, change in gloss,
blistering, softening, swelling, loss
of adhesion, or special phenomena.
 This method describes a laboratory
procedure to determine the
ASTM D2792 - 17 – resistance of a dried film of traffic
Standard Practice for paint to the action of a specified
Solvent and Fuel
Resistance of Traffic hydrocarbon solvent or gasoline
Paints fuel test fluid that causes blistering,
wrinkling, loss of adhesion, and
loss of hardness.
 Coatings that change chemically during the
curing process, such as epoxies, vinyl
esters, polyesters, alkyds and urethanes,
ASTM D5402 -
93(1999) – Standard become more resistant to solvents as they
Practice to Assess cure. These coatings should reach specific
the Solvent levels of solvent resistance before being
Resistance of top coated and before placing in service;
Organic Coatings the levels of solvent resistance necessary
Using Solvent Rubs
vary with the type of coating and the
intended service.
 This practice describes a solvent rub
technique to assess the MEK resistance of
ASTM D4752 - ethyl silicate (inorganic) zinc-rich primers.
10(2015)– Standard The MEK resistance of some two-
Practice to Measure component ethyl silicate zinc-rich primers
MEK Resistance of
has been shown to correlate well with the
Ethyl Silicate
cure of the primer as determined by diffuse
(Inorganic) Zinc-Rich
Primers by Solvent reflectance infrared spectroscopy. The
Rubs technique can be used in the laboratory,
field, or the fabricating shop. Practice
D5402 is the preferred method for organic
coatings.
 This test method is intended to evaluate the
resistance of pipe coating materials when
exposed to various concentrations of reagents
ASTM G20 - 10(2015) or suspected soil contaminants. The test serves
– Standard Test as a guide to investigators wishing to compare
Method for Chemical the relative merits of pipe-coating materials in
Resistance of specific environments. The choice of reagents,
Pipeline Coatings concentrations, duration of immersion, the
temperature of test, and properties to be
reported are necessarily arbitrary and should be
chosen to reflect conditions known to exist
along the pipeline right-of-way.
ASTM D3260 - This test method covers the evaluation of the
01(2017) – Standard mortar and acid resistance of a clear
Test Method for Acid protective coating factory applied to extruded
and Mortar aluminum substrates.
Resistance of
Factory-Applied
Clear Coatings on Acid and Mortar Resistance on Aluminum
Extruded Aluminum Substrates
Products
 Immersion of surface in water can cause the
degradation of coatings. The knowledge of how a
coating resists water immersion helps predict its
service life.
ASTM D870 - 15 –
Standard Practice for Water immersion tests are used for research and
Testing Water development of coatings and substrate
Resistance of treatments, specification acceptance, and quality
Coatings Using Water control in manufacturing. These tests typically
Immersion result in a pass or fail determination, but the
degree of failure may also be measured. A
coating system is considered to pass if there is no
evidence of water-related failure after a specified
time.
ASTM B117 - 18 –
Salt fog resistance is important for marine,
Standard Practice for
Operating Salt Spray automobile, and aircraft coatings and any other
(Fog) Apparatus exterior coating exposed to salt spray by being
near the ocean or exposed to salted road
conditions.
Types of Paints
 Oil paints use white lead as a base, and are
applied in three coats: primer, undercoat and
finish coat. Oil paints can achieve mat and glossy
finishes, while being durable and affordable. They
are characterized by their ease of application, and
painted surfaces are easy to clean. Oil paint is
Oil Paint commonly used in walls, doors, windows and
metal structures.

Note that oil paint is not suitable for humid

conditions, and it takes time to dry completely.
Also, before applying oil paints, linseed oil and
pigments must be added.
 This type of paint is produced by adding lead or
zinc to varnish. Pigments are added to achieve a
Enamel wide variety of colors. Enamel paints form hard
and glossy coatings, which are easily cleaned.
Paint They are characterized by being waterproof and
chemically resistant, offering good coverage and
color retention.
 Emulsion paints use polyvinyl acetate and
polystyrene as binding materials, and they contain
driers like cobalt and manganese. They can be
water or oil based, and pigments are used to
achieve the desired color. Emulsion paints are
characterized by their fast drying and hardening,
Emulsion and surfaces can be cleaned easily with water.

Paint
Once applied, enamel paints offer durability, good
color retention, and alkali resistance.

Emulsion paints are commonly used for interior

walls, ceilings and masonry work. Some
specialized types of emulsion paints can be used
for woodwork.
 Cement paint is available in powder form, which is
mixed with water to achieve paint consistency.

Cement The base material is white or colored cement, and

it may also contain pigments, accelerators and
Paint other additives. Cement paint is durable and
waterproof, and it is commonly used in rough
internal and external surfaces.
 This type of paint is made from dissolved asphalt
or tar, which gives it a characteristic black color. It
is waterproof and alkali-resistant, but not suitable
for applications where it will be exposed to the
Bituminous sun, since it deteriorates.

Paint Bituminous paint is commonly used in underwater

ironworks, concrete foundations, wooden
surfaces and iron pipes. It also helps provide rust
resistance when applied in metals.
 This type of paint is produced by mixing aluminium
particles with oil varnish. It is resistant to
Aluminium corrosion, electricity and weather exposure.

Paint
Aluminum paint is commonly used for metals and
wood, and some specific applications are gas
tanks, oil tanks, water pipes and radiators.
 Anticorrosive paint is characterized by its
Anti- chemical resistance, as implied by its name. It is
made from linseed oil, zinc chrome and fine sand.
Corrosive Anticorrosive paint has a black color, and it is

Paint durable and affordable. It is normally used for

metallic surfaces and pipes.
 This paint is made from dissolved synthetic resins,
Synthetic and can include pigments. It has a moderate cost
and its main benefits are chemical resistance, fast
Rubber drying and weather resistance. Synthetic rubber

Paint paint is used for concrete surfaces in general, and

this includes fresh concrete.
 Cellulose paint is produced from celluloid sheets,
amyl acetate and photographic films. Adhesion
can be improved by adding castor oil, and
surfaces can be easily cleaned and washed once

Cellulose the paint has dried. This type of paint is

characterized by its quick drying, smooth finish
Paint and hardness, while offering resistance to water,
smoke and acids. Thanks to its properties,
cellulose paint is commonly used in cars and
airplanes.