Steel coating in marine environment

For a 120 foot steel truss-structure in a marine environment (salt water / splash zone) I am looking for a type of coating which can resist these influences for about 15 years without significant maintenance.

What type should I be looking for, what grade is normally used in these type of situations.

Nico Vink
Engineer - Utrecht, The Netherlands
November 9, 2011

In the UK we have a famous bridge called the Forth Bridge and it is a standing joke that it is always being painted. Anyway, it has recently just been repainted by a company called Balfour Beatty and I believe they have used a glass flake filled epoxy based system supplied by Leighs Paints of Bolton, UK. Ask them for details.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
November 13, 2011

Trevor's recommendation is a good one: glass flake filled epoxy is the standard for coatings on structures in the splash zone according to NORSOK M-501. Typical thickness if 1.5 mm.

Toby Padfield
Automotive supplier - Michigan, USA
November 15, 2011

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