Fluid storage tanks are used in countless industries to contain liquids and gasses during transport, in long-term storage, or for on-site use. From industrial manufacturing and chemical plants to wastewater facilities and agricultural businesses, storage tanks can be vital parts of regular operations for many organizations. Depending on their intended use, they can be designed with sealed or open-air roofs, installed above or below ground, and even be made for either permanent or temporary use. Most importantly, tanks can be made of many different materials, including metals, plastics, and concrete, selected based on the type of fluids the tank is planned to contain.
TANK CORROSION PREVENTION
FLUID STORAGE TANKS
ARE CRUCIAL TO MANY INDUSTRIES
the risk of
corroding tanks
Even with the optimal combination of fluid and tank material, and “simple” fluids like water and air, tanks are susceptible to corrosion that risks unsafe or compromised storage, necessitating expensive and time-consuming repairs and replacements. For storing hazardous materials like acid and organic solvents, tanks are at an even higher risk of corrosion, and with even more dire consequences. To protect tanks from corrosion, they can be treated with durable protective coatings like polyurea and polyurethane, which are highly resistant to most industrial fluids, and form a watertight barrier between surfaces and their environment.
short & long term problems
As you might expect, the first and most likely issues with any fluid storage tank are cracks and leaks. Especially for large tanks, there are many more opportunities for even small and localized damage or deterioration to risk contaminating the entire fluid supply or letting potentially dangerous substances escape to the detriment of anything in the area. Depending on the material, such leaks can do irreparable damage to the environment, requiring enormously expensive clean up and remediation, likely paired with large fines from the EPA and other regulatory bodies. Aside from these smaller system failures, more extensive structural damage can weaken tank walls to the point of collapse or toppling. This comes with additional risk to the health and safety of employees, who could be hurt or even killed from high exposures to volatile liquids or failing tank debris. Putting safety aside, the integrity of the stored substances is also cause for equal concern. Any uncontrolled opening or other unintended exposures can introduce contaminants that compromise the quality and usability of the fluids. Especially for potable water storage, contamination can be life-threatening, and risks wasting an increasingly scarce resource.
rubber & paint problems
Rubber linings, specialty paints, and other types of surface protection are far less effective, and for far less time, than polyurea or polyurethane coatings. Unlike these famously durable coatings that can last for up to several decades, traditional solutions break down more quickly, risking contamination by the very same materials intended to prevent contamination. Moreover, alternative technologies lack the same degree of abrasion and corrosion resistance, further reducing their expected operational lifetimes and posing more dangerous health and safety risks over a shorter time horizon. Compared to rubber liners, polyurea and polyurethane coatings are much thinner, and thus take up minimal storage space; a key consideration for making the most out of any industrial or commercial scale storage system. Pre-formed liners often fit poorly, which compared to spray-on applications of polymer coatings, suffers from lower flexibility and worse performance even with optimal geometries. Polyurea and polyurethane tank corrosion prevention coatings far exceed the quality and performance of rubbers, paints, and almost every other traditional coatings solution.
POLYUREA
& POLYURETHANE
TANK COATING SOLUTIONS
Like they always say, “prevention is the best medicine,” and the same is true of tank coating solutions. Tank corrosion prevention with polyurea or polyurethane coatings is most effective when applied to new tanks, prior to their use. This preemptive approach minimizes the risk of missing hidden damage like rust or small cracks, which can persist beneath coatings to cause under-film corrosion or introduce contaminants if left undetected. However, existing tanks can also benefit from polyurea and polyurethane coatings, as with proper substrate preparation and surface treatment, even older tanks can be refurbished to extend their operational lifespan for years to come. Polyurea and polyurethane coatings are specially formulated to coat a tank’s internal surfaces to provide exceptional corrosion resistance, forming a seamless membrane that strongly adheres to the tank’s surface to cover seams and protect any vulnerable or exposed areas. After only a quick application and an even faster curing, corrosive substances then only make contact with their highly resilient polymer coatings, avoiding otherwise harmful exposure to the tank itself.
FAQ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Corrosion represents a major challenge for maintaining safe and uncontaminated fluid storage tanks. Choosing the right combination of tank material and stored fluid is first and foremost, which can be reinforced with protective coatings like polyurea and polyurethane. These coatings form a robust, corrosion resistant barrier that separates tanks from the substances contained within.
The safety of anti-corrosion coatings depends on the type of storage tank, the properties and intended use of the fluids, and the characteristics of the coatings. Polyurea and polyurethane coatings are far safer than their traditional alternatives, as they’re made of 100% solids, and are solvent-free and volatile organic chemical (VOC)-free.
Even with the highest quality materials, and the most skilled applicators, protective coatings for tank corrosion prevention require regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure their safe and effective operation. Tanks should be inspected for punctures, tears, or other types of damage that risk under-film corrosion, compromising the coating system’s performance and putting tanks at risk of dangerous corrosion or contamination.
CONTACT US NOW
ArmorThane is your one-stop-shop for everything polyurea and polyurethane. We’ve led the industry for over 35 years, providing our global network of customers and professional applicators with the best in polyurea and polyurethane products and services. So if you’re ready to upgrade your tank corrosion prevention, partnering with ArmorThane can help. We formulate, manufacture, apply, and distribute our own specialty coatings solutions, tailored to you and your project. Our expert team hasn’t encountered a problem they couldn’t solve, and are ready 24/7 to help you get started, and execute your next project with ease. Contact us today, and discover why ArmorThane has been the best in the industry for over three decades.
