Corrosion Prevention with Thermal-Sprayed Zinc and Aluminum Coatings

Abstract

In a program conceived in July 1950, the American Welding Society Committee on Thermal Spraying began an extensive study of the corrosion protection afforded by wire flame sprayed zinc and aluminum coatings applied to low carbon steel. Over four thousand test panels were prepared for distribution to eight strategic test sites across the United States. Panels were exposed to sea water at mean tide and below tide levels at two different locations, and at six other locations, panels were exposed to atmospheric conditions including industrial, salt air and salt spray environments. The report presented here gives a brief summary of the study including, 1) methods of preparing the test panels for coating, 2) the various thicknesses in which the coatings were applied, 3) the composition of the sealers and their application where used, 4) the location of the test sites, and 5) the conclusions reached after inspection of the panels. /Author/