Articles

TASA ID: 4149

A paint coating imparts two important functions to the underlying substrate:

- The aesthetic function gives the substrate a good appearance.

- The protective function protects the substrate from mechanical and chemical damage.

However, due to routine wear and tear, surface scratches and other defects are generated in the paint film and micro-cracks develop.  These micro-cracks eventually lead to macroscopic corrosion damage, which results in the coating losing its aesthetic and protective functions. Corrosion is a ubiquitous and on-going problem.  It causes tens of millions of dollars of damage annually in the U.S. alone, and compromises the safety, environmental, and appearance characteristics of the affected structures.