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-----Wash Booth Disappearing
Our facility has within a powder coating process. This process contains a wash and pretreatment booth. Our booth is made of fiberglass and is deterierating due to the chemicals we are using. I am in search of a product which we can apply to slow or stop the reaction. Our booth is only 2 years old and already has fibers and small pieces falling off the walls. At cuurent rate the booth will need to be replaced in a few years.
As I have mentioned I am searching for a product which can help us. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions they will be well received.
Conrad Weleschuk- Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
1999
Conrad,
Re your fibre ablation problem, this happens, could happen when the chemicals are too strong ... and could also perhaps happen because you are using ... or were sold ... a frp with a resin that isn't compatible in the long term. Phone up DOW and ask for their (fibreglass) resin division for some advice but find out first just WHAT resin was used and if the fabricator had used a flood coat onto a synthetic veil. Perhaps a Vinylester would do the job, perhaps an epoxy (expensive!) either of which should be applied to an outer veil covering, ideally using a synthetic, not glass. This type of finishing costs more ... but less in the long run! I have quasi designed these in the past ... but (40 years in the acid resistant field of thermoplastics) the ones that were made were ONLY made from Polypropylene ... which exhibits very good corrosion resistance to acids & alkalies and is resistant to aliphatic and polar solents and which is, LIKE ALL THERMOPLASTICS, a damn sight better in abrasion services & totally homogenous througout unlike FRP. I may be jumping the gun, but perhaps you were not advised of the best materials for this job. I know of zero problems with the ones that were made in PP. Structurally, PP is weaker than FRP & therefore one needs a thicker material and more reinforcing & support ... but it has another advantage in that the normal PP is translucent. Hope this helps! Regards, Freeman Newton
Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).
1999
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