Managing Corrosion with Ducted Fluoropolymer Coatings
Author: John M. Brupbacher and Mark F. Mosser, Sermatech

Presented at Chem Show, NY, 2001


ABSTRACT

Fluoropolymer coating and sheet lining of steel processing equipment have proven to be reliable, cost-effective alternatives for containment of corrosive processing chemicals.  However, many chemicals readily permeate through the liner under aggressive thermo-chemical conditions, reducing bond strength and service life.  Attempts have been made to overcome this inherent weakness of fluoropolymers by using vented equipment with loose liners, but these liners often fail prematurely via coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch-induced wrinkling and cracking.  Also, vented loose liners cannot be used for vacuum service unless the backside of the liner is continuously evacuated, adding cost and complexity to this corrosion control system.  Recently, three dimensional, mechanically bonded, ducted fluoropolymer coating technology has been demonstrated on industrial-scale equipment.  This approach has proven effective and practical under processing conditions previously deemed unsuitable for fluoropolymer service.  Aspects of ducted coating design and application to processing equipment will be discussed.