HRCSA is Chemically Active

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When the word “Coating” is used, most people think of a paint that forms into a solid barrier film.

The HRCSA Self-Priming Topcoat is an unconventional coating system which is both chemically active and elastomeric.

Traditional barrier or sacrificial barriers cure across the steel micro voids leaving areas of exposed steel between the coating and the substrate – these micro void areas are vulnerable to rapid undercutting once the barrier is breached.

Typical causes of newly applied coating breaches: Workers walking on fresh coating during construction and take-down. Mechanical damage (tools being dropped), stone chips, debris, etc.

HRCSA is a reacted calcium sulfonate, calcium carbonate based complex that fully wets the surface as it neutralizes acids, displaces moisture and scavenges oxygen leaving no micro voids unfilled.

The high ratio of active calcium sulfonate thoroughly wets the micro voids creating a mono-molecular layer of cations which ensure chemical neutrality and no undercutting if the coating is breached. ( The HRCSA reacted formulation’s uniqueness is what gives it this performance advantage.) <Link to Specifications>

The role and function of HRCSA calcite platelets.

Once applied, the formulation’s artificially grown calcite crystals line up like fish scales to form a strengthened film with extended pathways for moisture and oxygen.

When acidic moisture (acid rain) passes through these crystals, a minute amount of the calcite dissolves to create a neutral base liquid void of acidity at the steel substrate.

Summarily, it neutralizes acids, displaces moisture, and scavenges oxygen.

HRCSA Penetrant/Sealer + HRCSA Self Priming Topcoat = Meld

When the word “Penetrant” is used, most people think of a low molecular weight epoxy or moisture cured urethane penetrants which were primarily designed to bind up existing rust on steel surfaces and a tiecoat.

Low molecular weight penetrants applied into active corroded connections do not chemically neutralize the active corrosion. Because they are epoxies or MCUs, they harden and then crack whenever movement occurs.
This explains why rust bleeding from connections can usually be seen < 2 years after application – the corrosion was never stopped.

HRCSA meld coat is both chemically active AND flexible.

Crevice corroded and pack-rusted joints and connections that are properly prepared (flushed, salt mitigated and dried) then pressure filled to refusal with HRCSA Penetrant-Sealer, Meld-coated with HRCSA self-priming topcoat and overcoated with same (wet on wet), creates a chemically active, flexible seal that actively stops corrosion inside the connection for years (even decades) to come.

Because the chemistry stays active in the connection allowing the structure to move without damaging the film.

HRCSA can applied by spray, brush or roller to anything Fe – including: steel of any type, as well as overcoating tightly adhered, contaminant-free existing coatings.

Pressure-Applying HRCSA Penetrant into flushed out, blown dried, cleaned corroded crevices before application of the HRCSA meld-coat.

Pack-rusted connections saturated with HRCSA Penetrant.

Application of HRCSA meld coat (thick layer of HRCSA self-priming topcoat overtop HRCSA Penetrant).

Same pack-rusted connection filled with HRCSA self-priming topcoat over top of HRCSA Penetrant filled connection.

HRCSA Penetrant inside tubes or enclosed areas.

HRCSA Penetrant can be fogged, or mist applied inside tubes.

Visualization of how the HRCSA Penetrant/Sealer fills the inside of steel tubes when applied with a sprayer fitted with a flexible rust proofing wand with a star tip.

Bearings, Pin Connectors, Interfaced steel

Once all connections are treated properly, the entire steel structure is overcoated with HRCSA self-priming topcoat. Single component, single coat application makes for shortest coating application times in the industry.

HRCSA applied between the bolted in reinforcement plates keep corrosion activity from taking place between the two.

HRCSA is a Maintenance Coating

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In the following bridge preservation project, the HRCSA maintenance coating was applied to a minimally prepared steel substrate (WJ4 || WA1 ) inside a highly condensed period of time (2 weeks of rail line shut-down).

The steel bridge as it WAS before WJ4 || SA1 surface preparation and HRCSA application.

One Year After the Bridge Overcoating Initiative.

Coating Systems: Beautification or Corrosion Mitigation Initiative?

The US Federal Highway Administration strongly promotes maintaining existing infrastructure in a “Good State of Repair”. This has lead to a great emphasis on “doing more with less” by focusing on bridge preservation practices designed around extending the service life of the existing structures. Mitigating corrosion is a big part of this formula.

The British structure featured in today’s discussion reveals how structures can be preserved cost effectively and with minimal preparation – regardless of tight time schedule pressures.

What the sections which were applied to specification look after 7 years. (No undercuttin).

  1. Most areas were prepared and corrosion mitigated to specification.
  2. Some areas were missed during the works (Time constraints, access limitations).
  3. ALL ACTIVE CORROSION HOTSPOTS CAN BE VERY QUICKLY AND EASILY REPAIRED WITH POWER AND HAND TOOL CLEANING.

The two circled areas of concern in this photograph are active corrosion hotspots which showed up after the application of chemically active HRCSA materials that triggered the delaminating of tightly adhered black oxide patches. HRCSA chemistries cause heavily contaminated black oxide spots to detach. (See repair procedure bottom of page).

The browned areas reveal bridge immersion from brackish Ouse River water during two separate floodings.

In the circled area, rust bleeding is coming from where previously salt contaminated delaminating coating was missed during surface preparation before the application of the HRCSA self-priming topcoat. A complete repair of this active corrosion hotspot can be achieved in very short order using a right angle sander, solvent wipe and brushed on application of single component, single coat HRCSA self-priming topcoat.

This photo demonstrates the excellent surface wetting and polar bonding of the HRCSA system on heavily pitted and previously heavily corroding substrate (Pressure washed then coated). Salts had been very effectively mitigated during surface preparation else it would have shown through the applied coating material. The coating profile shows no signs of deterioration and is working properly to protect the substrate from the elements.

Another fine example of excellent surface wetting and polar bonding of the HRCSA system to heavily pitted and corroded steel substrate. The coating shows no signs of deterioration and is working properly. Pitted areas (black oxide delaminations) can be quickly and easily repaired using the attached repair procedure below.

Further evidence of discoloration caused by the brackish flood waters as they rose up the side of the girder. Although the coating may be have been discolored there is no corrosion or damage triggered by the brackish floodwaters.

There can be many reasons why hard to reach areas get overlooked during busy works and stressful time constraints. These can include machine failures, weather constraints and so forth. Fortunately, HRCSA repairs can be quick and easy using the repair procedure defined below. [Note: Less than 1% of the surface area was affected.]

In the following examples, inadequate surface preparation and salt removal causing premature coating failures on the sections highlighted below.

  • Selby 11a
  • Selby 10a
  • Selby 9a
  • Selby 8a
  • Selby 7a
  • Selby 6a

Preservation Repair Procedures.

Weathering (A588, COR-TEN) steel

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HRCSA: Solving steel corrosion problems others choose to ignore.

Hydro towers are surface prepared by power tool cleaning using angle grinders to remove scale, solvent wipe followed by pressure applied HRCSA Penetrant/Sealer inside the connections (as seen in the photo on left) and HRCSA Self Priming Topcoat by paint brush applied to stripe coat bolts, hard edges and final overcoating the entire zone.

Where A588, COR-TEN steels produce corrosion concerns, Chemically Active HRCSA is becoming the “go to” coating system because of it’s a) minimalistic surface preparation requirements, b) ability to chemically stop crevice corrosion, ability to fully wet weathering steel substrate, d) durability and e) HRCSA IS NON-CONDUCTIVE UP 100KVA – AN IMPORTANT FEATURE FOR COR-TEN TOWERS BECAUSE CORROSION PRODUCTS CAUSE ARCHING ON COR-TEN STEEL TOWERS.

COR-TEN steel performs impressively on flat surfaces, but, like all systems, has limitations – particularly where there are connecting plates and other regions noted below.

Performance & ConditionWeathering Steel  Performance & Condition  Weathering Steel  
Fatigue Life  Reduced by weathering  Road Salt EffectAccelerated corrosion and loss of section and mass
Constant WettingCorrodes the same as unprotected carbon steelAppearance ProblemsStains concrete
Faying SurfacesCorrodes the same as unprotected carbon steelSea Coast EnvironmentPoor corrosion protection, chlorides cause pitting and rapid section loss
PaintingExpensive preparation and excessive paint absorptionChemical (Airborne) ContaminationPoor corrosion protection, accelerated patina consumption
Tubular ShapesTraps moisture inside, resulting in increased corrosion rateVegetationMoisture may accelerate corrosion, especially on faying surfaces, enough to exert excessive force on bolted connections
InspectionCan’t distinguish patina rust from loose corrosion products of accelerated corrosionElectrical IndustryCorrosion products cause arcing
Corrosion RateUnknownHigh humidity/FogPoor corrosion protection

More complex joints and connections (such as the above) are surface prepared using power tool cleaning to remove scale then high pressure water cleaned to remove salts, oil, dirt, etc.

Photo above: High pressure water cleaned COR-TEN steel (with salt remover) is ready for HRCSA coating application where HRCSA Penetrant/Sealer is pressure-applied inside the bearing joint and the HRCSA Self-Priming Topcoat is applied (wet-on-wet) to the entire zone to be painted.

Inside Box Beams and other Tubular shapes.

Using a Star tip for fogging and misting HRCSA Penetrant/Sealer is fogged and applied inside Box Beams and other Tubular shapes to create a polar bonded anti-corrosive coating on the inside where humidity can otherwise cause serious corrosion damage.