Title:
The Case of the Coal Tar Epoxy That Fizzled
Author(s):
Ray Tombaugh
Publication:
Concrete International
Volume:
33
Issue:
11
Appears on pages(s):
53-56
Keywords:
coating, failure, surface preparation, adhesion, blister, chemical attack, bacteria
DOI:
Date:
11/1/2011
Abstract:
During the construction of a wastewater treatment facility in 2007, the wet wells and other basins were coated with a coal tar epoxy. Within a year and a half after commissioning, the plant operators noticed that the coating was delaminating from the walls of several clarifier wet wells. Yet, inspections of the clarifier basins showed no coating failures. This article presents a field and laboratory investigation of coating deterioration as well as repair recommendation.