Coatings & Linings
Coatings and linings are among the most common failure items on steel tanks and piping. The reasons for failure are numerous and include normal aging, applying the material to a corroded surface, and selecting the wrong material for the job. When a coating or lining fails, the tank structure comes under corrosive attack, greatly reducing its service life.
TSP’s repair team includes coating replacement professionals. We work closely with paint suppliers to match products to their applications. We focus on surface preparation to ensure that the coating achieves its longest possible life.
Distinguishing Coatings and Linings:
- Tank coatings are generally applied to the exterior of a tank or pipe to increase its resistance to environmental conditions and corrosion under insulation (CUI). Coatings are typically epoxy paints which must be applied to cleaned and primed surfaces to achieve the best results. Coatings are found on most steel tanks and piping, some tanks constructed from other metals, and rarely on fiberglass tanks or plastic tanks.
- Tank linings are applied to the interior of a tank to protect its structure from the chemicals being stored. Thin film linings have a thickness of less than 20 mils and are typically epoxy paints selected for their compatibility with the process fluid. Thick film linings may be made of epoxy, fiberglass, glass, or rubber and are chosen for their suitability for a particular application. On FRP tanks, the lining may also refer to the interior corrosion barrier.
