Use of new industrial coatings for the U.S. Navy waterfront structures

Abstract

The U.S. Navy has been utilizing epoxy polyamide and coal tar epoxy coatings to protect waterfront structures such as piers and wharfs for many years. However these particular coatings have become undesirable for use as their VOC levels exceed the newly instituted guidelines published by the EPA in 1999. Therefore the Navy has begun the process of researching other potential coatings which meet the current federal standards. Some of these coatings include fusion bonded epoxy coatings moisture cured urethane coatings epoxy aliphatic polyurethane with polypropylene fiber coatings and glass flake resin coatings. Some preliminary testing suggests that fusion bonded epoxy and moisture cured urethane coatings provide adequate corrosion resistant properties in the harsh marine environment. However more standardized testing must be instituted for these potential coating systems in order to ensure the Navy makes the most informed decision in the future.