The use of zinc dust paints in shipbuilding as a prefabrication primer

Abstract

The widespread use of zinc dust paints and their economic advantages compared with the traditional methods of protecting steel from corrosion were described by speakers from the USA, Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and the United Kingdom at a symposium organised by The Zinc Development Association in London on 25 and 26 September. This, the newest method of applying metallic zinc coatings to steel, has grown enormously in popularity during the last 10 years and has found many spectacular applications, such as for coating oil tankers of over 300,000 tons deadweight, oil and sulphur rigs in the Gulf of Florida, off‐shore oil drilling wells in Alaska, as well as for the more routine protection of bridges, railway rolling stock and the steelwork of chemical and other industrial plants. The symposium, which was attended by 300 people, mainly from the steel using industries in Britain and from the Continent, was the first of its kind at which users and suppliers of zinc dust paints and specialist consultants have been brought together to discuss the latest developments in zinc dust paints. Much interest was shown in descriptions of satisfactory methods of welding steel coated with zinc‐rich paints, and the simple ways in which health hazards from zinc fumes arising from welding can be avoided. It was stressed in several papers that zinc dust paints require good surface preparation, carefully controlled application and properly engineered overcoating, but the comparatively high initial cost of achieving this is amply repaid in reduced maintenance in subsequent years. The ZDA is preparing a full, illustrated report on the seminar which will contain the texts of the papers and an edited account of the discussions. This report will be sent to all who took part in the seminar and further copies will be available in a few weeks from the ZDA, 34 Berkeley Square, London.