Coatings & Linings

Graphene Coating Boosts Flexible and Wearable Electronics

In two new studies, researchers at the California Institute of Technology demonstrated how graphene can greatly improve electrical circuits required for wearable and flexible electronics such as smart health patches, bendable smartphones, helmets, large folding display screens, and more.

Interview: Bob Chalker on His Retirement and AMPP’s Future

Bob Chalker, CEO of AMPP and formerly NACE International, explains his decision to retire in July 2023 and outlines what the transition process will look like for the association over the coming months and years.

Paint Is Complicated: Inspector Training Opportunities

One way to ensure that you’re ready to tackle the challenges of paint is to get the right training. The Master Painters Institute (MPI), a subsidiary of AMPP, offers three training courses that may be a good place to start.

‘New Breed’ of Corrosion Inhibitor for Oil, Gas Industry

Through pioneering micro-reservoir technology, Hexigone is incorporating chemicals that were previously incompatible with coatings and offering a “smart” inhibitor. Independent testing results show that when used in a primer system, the additives dramatically increase corrosion protection.

Gretchen Jacobson Retires as MP Managing Editor-in-Chief

Gretchen A. Jacobson, Managing Editor-in-Chief of Materials Performance (MP) magazine, officially retired from her role at the conclusion of December 2022. Rebecca A. Bickham, Editor, is now leading the magazine.

Penn State Researchers Launch Study on Power Plant Pipe Corrosion

A team of researchers at Penn State investigating how contaminants in power plant water cycles affect the integrity of steel pipes and tubing in power generation systems. The goal is to expand their understanding of corrosion processes in extreme environments.

Study: Ceramic Coatings Largely Unaffected by Material Fatigue

According to researchers at TU Wien (Vienna), thin-film ceramic coatings break down in a completely different way than metals. Material fatigue hardly plays a role, whereas the decisive factor is said to be the intensity of extreme load peaks.

Thermal Insulation Solution Protects Oil Dispersant Vessel

New polymer technology from Belzona is allowing a client to protect its vessel against extreme operational conditions, all while also meeting weight and thickness specifications. The solution proved more effective than traditional cladding.

Bossier City, Louisiana Wins 2022 Tank of the Year

Tnemec announced that a municipal water tank in Bossier City, La., is the winner of its 2022 Tank of the Year competition. The tank was selected based on criteria such as artistic value, the significance of the tank to the community, and challenges encountered during the project.

Embracing the Digital Transformation in Corrosion and Coatings

Jim Kunkle, key account manager for AkzoNobel’s International brand of protective coatings, explains how the COVID-19 pandemic shaped and accelerated the digital transformation within the global corrosion control and protective coatings industries.

Deicer Corrosion of Trucks: A Case Study

Hydraulic, electrical, and structural components of vehicles can be vulnerable to corrosion damage caused by deicers. To that end, a Scandinavian study found that cars driven on salt-free roads were 50% less vulnerable to cosmetic corrosion than cars exposed to road salt.

NEPCOAT and Bridge Paint System Evaluation

In his 2022 AMPP conference paper, Jerry S. Zoller explores how NEPCOAT came into being for bridge applications and how it has evolved over the years—from publishing a “Qualified Products List” to performing lab testing.

Current Mapping Assists in Evaluating Pipelines: How Pipeline Mapping Works

Pipeline current mapping methodology, which has been extensively utilized and designed through a collaboration among several gas companies, involves evaluating the coating of a pipeline from above ground. This is accomplished via the use of electromagnetic techniques.

U.S. Air Force Tests Virtual Reality for Corrosion Control Training

According to the U.S. Air Force, the virtual reality simulation allows Airmen to immerse themselves in an aircraft hangar and use controllers that are modified to look and feel like a paint sprayer to paint the aircraft and various parts.

U.S. House Introduces Bridge Corrosion Prevention and Repair Act

Introduced over the summer of 2022, the proposed federal legislation would require corrosion planning and the use of qualified and trained professionals on all bridge construction, repair, and maintenance projects throughout the country.