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FEVE Fluoropolymer Technology for
High-Performance, Long-Life Coatings on Steel
and Concrete Bridges
JPCL / SSPC Webinar February 8th , 2012
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings

• What is an FEVE Fluoropolymer???
• A hybrid fluoropolymer resin with the ability to
  be used in standard coatings formulations like
  any other conventional coating resin
• A high performance resin that can withstand
  severe ultraviolet light exposure 2-3 times
  longer than conventional coatings resins

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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings

• Fluoroethylene Vinyl Ether (FEVE) Resins

FLUORINATED SEGMENTS Weatherability, chemical
resistance VINYL ETHER SEGMENTS Gloss,
solubility, crosslinking
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings

• Advantages of FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins
• Ambient Cure
• Field application
• OH Functional - Crosslinkable with
  isocyanates
• Solvent Soluble
• Conventional application techniques (airless
  spray)
• Wide range of gloss (90 _at_ 60º)
• Fluoropolymer Segments
• UV Resistance
• Corrosion resistance

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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings

• Markets for FEVE resin-containing coatings
• Architectural Coatings for commercial buildings
• Industrial Maintenance Coatings for water towers,
  bridges, and assorted metal and concrete
  structures
• Aerospace coatings
• Applications in Marine environments

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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
QUV Weatherometer Exposure Testing
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
QUV Weatherometer Exposure Testing
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
Sunshine Weatherometer Exposure Testing (Carbon
Arc)
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
EMMAQUA Testing (Outside Test Fence Arizona)
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
South Florida Test Fence Exposure
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings

• Corrosion Resistance Test of FEVE Coatings
• LOCATION Suruga Bay Marine Test Station
  (offshore)
• LENGTH OF TEST 16 years
• COATINGS SYSTEMS ON TEST
• 1) Zinc-rich primer / Epoxy Midcoat / Acrylic
  Urethane Topcoat
• 2) Zinc-rich primer / Epoxy Midcoat /
  Fluorourethane Topcoat
• THICKNESS OF COATING
• PRIMER 3 mils / MIDCOAT 6 mils /
  TOPCOAT 1 mil(25 microns)

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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
Measurement of Total Erosion of the Topcoat
ACRYLIC URETHANE TOPCOAT FLUOROURETHANE TOPCOAT
INITIAL MEASUREMENT (microns) 25 25
FINAL MEASUREMENT (microns) 0 (after 13 years) 21
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
EDX (Energy Dispersive X-Ray Microanalysis) BL
UE Chloride GREEN Coating System RED Metal
SEM Scan of cross section Of Coating
System (after 16 year exposure)
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
AFTER 15 YEARS
INITIAL
SEM Scan of Zinc-rich Primer
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Test
Results
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings

• Life Cycle Cost Advantages
• Initial Cost of FEVE-based Topcoat (includes
  Application cost)
• 5 -10 higher than standard polyurethane
  topcoat
• FEVE-based Topcoat Life Expectation
• 30 - 60 years
• Expected Repaints of Std. Polyurethane Topcoat
• in this Time Frame
• 2 to 3 (based on topcoat erosion data from
  offshore test)
• Additional Costs of Repaints
• facility downtime
• lodging of paint crew on offshore platform

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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings

• Shelby Street Bridge
• (Nashville, TN)
• --- coated in 2004
• --- 3 coat system on steel
• 1) zinc-rich primer
• 2) epoxy midcoat
• 3) fluororurethane topcoat

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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings

• Gateway Bridge
• (Nashville, TN)
• --- opened in 2004
• --- Red Support Girder coated with
  FEVE- containing coating

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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings

• Can water-based one component acrylic bridge
  coatings incorporate FEVE technology to improve
  their weatherability?
• YES

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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings

• Project Incorporate an FEVE emulsion into an
  established water-based acrylic bridge
  coating formulation to access its ability
  to increase the weatherability of the coating.
• Details 1) Replace a portion of the acrylic
  binder in the formulation with an FEVE
  emulsion (30 and 45)
• 2) Run accelerated exposure tests in the
  QUV Weatherometer (UV340 light source)
  and chart the change in 60 Gloss
  property and the change in color
  during the exposure period.
• 3) Color is a Federal Standard 595 Dark
  Green FS14090 60 Gloss Range is
  21-25

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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings
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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings

• Conclusion
• For over 25 years, FEVE resins have been included
  in exterior coatings for multiple end uses.
• Their excellent weatherability and corrosion
  resistance make them attractive for inclusion in
  topcoats for steel and concrete surfaces.

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FEVE Fluoropolymer Resins for High-Performance
Coatings

• Acknowledgements
• Takasi Takayanagi
• Sho Masuda
• Isao Kimura