Ovante - Immersion Test

Ovante's research laboratory is located in Auburn, AL, close to Auburn University, Montgomery, AL, and Atlanta, GA. Our lab performs customized immersion and spray testing on Storm Greeter and other coatings. We are able to maintain 120 degrees F at 98% humidity.

In June of 2010, based on the photo on the right, Ovante began a 90 day test to show Storm Greeter's value as a repair option for the utilities industry. Steel coupons were partially coated with a leading polyurethane. A rust blemish was created on the uncoated portion of each coupon. These coupons were then coated with Storm Greeter and subjected to 120 degrees, under a constant spray. Some coupons were embedded in gravel, some in clay. Two of the coupons were subjected to 130 degrees temperature swings every 24 hours, from the test chamber to a freezer at -10 degrees.

This is a steel utility pole, with a polyurethane coating applied at the factory. Between 18" and 36" under ground, there exists enough oxygen and moisture to create what is called the "corrosion zone".

Typical repair on this pole will require sandblasting, which will blast away the galvanizing.

Testing Condition

Result

Photo

Red Clay

Clay can be abusive to steel just because of its composition. It is abrasive. This coupon was embedded in red clay for 90 days. Toward the left end of the steel, the brown polyurethane coating is visible. To the right of that layer, the rust blemish is visible. Storm Greeter effectively covered the old coating AND the rust blemish. It did not delaminate and it protected the steel. The rust blemish did not grow.

Gravel

Oxygen fills the voids in gravel and backfill, allowing moisture to come and go. This coupon was coated and a rust blemish was created before embedding it in gravel. Again, Storm Greeter did not delaminate. It covered the old coating and the blemish did not spread.

Temperature

This coupon was prepared in the same way as the others. This coupon was transferred every 24 hours from 120 degrees F into a -10 degree freezer. That transfer was reversed at the end of the next 24 hours. Storm Greeter did not expand or contract, it did not delaminate. Storm Greeter covered the old coating and the rust damage was halted.