Strategies for Coating Paper Machine Wet Ends, 1997 Engineering Conference Proceedings

Carbon steel is widely used for structural applications; for tanks, piping and pressure vessels, and for miscellaneous hardware like supports, walkways, ladders, doors, etc. in pulp and paper mills. Coatings are needed to protect the steel from corrosion. These coatings can be organic or metallic. Concrete, FRP, aluminum and even stainless steel components may also be protected with coatings.

In the paper mill, paper machines are highly visible and are usually the primary focus of attention for management, operations and visitors. Hence, it is important to keep the paper machines rust-free and in “show-off’ condition. This usually translates into regular applications of organic coatings. The warm, constantly wet environment and chemicals present are a challenge for most coatings used to protect the steel structural elements on the wet end of the paper machine, especially when surface preparation and coating application must be carried out within tight time constraints to minimize downtime. All three elements of a successful coating system - the right coating material, good surface preparation and proper application - must be combined to ensure that the coating successfully provides corrosion protection of the paper machine in a cost-effective manner. One aspect cannot be neglected or limited without the entire system being jeopardized. These and other issues are discussed in this presentation.