This book — now in a revised and updated edition — is devoted entirely to failure analysis of coatings. It deals with the field and laboratory methods (both analytical and physical) used to determine the causes of premature paint and coatings failures in the commercial and industrial arena. Practical examples are included to show both the thought processes behind such investigations and how the individual techniques complement one another.

Failure Analysis of Paints and Coatings begins with a basic review of coatings technology and the chemistry of commonly encountered coatings types — this introduction makes prior in-depth knowledge of the underlying chemistry unnecessary. It combines coatings chemistry with analytical techniques; discusses the advantages and limitations of various analytical techniques; and integrates theory with demonstrations of practical applications.

From the Preface: “...The failure analysis of paints and coatings is all about problem solving, and is both a fascinating and a challenging endeavor. It requires the blending of polymer chemistry, analytical chemistry, coatings science and microscopy with the curiosity of a detective. All of these skills, with the possible exception of the last, can be studied in school or learned from books. It is putting them all together that is the trick, and which was the impetus for writing this present book...”

Target Audience: Coatings chemists, corrosion engineers, paint technicians, consultants, and applicants of paints and other coatings; also forensic scientists, upper-level undergratuate and graduate students studying these disciplines.

Table of Contents:

General Principles of Coating Formulation

Why Coatings Work and Why They Fail

Pigments

Additives and Solvents

Coating Types and Common Failure Modes

Application-Related Problems

Field Methods

Analytical Methods

Physical Methods

Examples of Coating Failures

The Repair of Coating Failures

Index