Glassflake: What really drives coating performance?
When it comes to protecting steel from corrosion, coating performance depends on much more than a single ingredient or percentage on a product data sheet.
Glassflake has been used in protective coatings for decades, particularly in demanding environments where enhanced barrier protection is required. But does a higher glassflake content automatically mean better corrosion protection?
A recent article published by PCE International, “Beyond Glassflake Content: What Really Drives Coating Performance?”, explores this question and looks at some of the factors that influence the performance of modern glassflake-reinforced coatings.
How does glassflake help protect against corrosion?
When incorporated into a protective coating, glassflake can help create a more difficult route for water, oxygen and other corrosive species attempting to reach the underlying substrate.
Rather than travelling directly through the coating, these elements must navigate around the overlapping flakes – often described as creating a “tortuous path.” This can improve the barrier properties of the coating system and help provide protection in challenging service environments.
However, glassflake content alone does not determine how effectively a coating will perform.
The PCE International article explores how factors including flake geometry, particle size and thickness, resin chemistry, formulation and application can all influence the effectiveness of the finished coating system.
It also highlights an important consideration for anyone involved in protective coatings: headline figures should always be considered in the context of the complete coating system and its intended service environment.
Looking beyond the specification
Understanding why coatings perform as they do is an important part of corrosion prevention.
Coating selection involves considering numerous factors, from the substrate and operating environment to surface preparation, application, inspection and quality control. Even a well-designed coating system can be compromised if it is incorrectly specified or applied.
For coating applicators, inspectors and others working in corrosion protection, developing an understanding of coating technologies and the principles behind their performance can support better decision-making throughout a coating project.
The PCE International article provides an interesting technical perspective on glassflake technology and why assessing protective coating performance requires looking beyond glassflake content alone.
Read the full article on PCE International:
“Beyond Glassflake Content: What Really Drives Coating Performance?”
