Painting Mild Steel: Techniques, Benefits, and Industry Insights
Mild steel is one of the most widely used steel materials in different industries. Mild Steel has higher applicability in the construction, automotive, and manufacturing industries. MS Steel has higher strength and ductility, which make it an ideal choice in the mentioned industrial usage. The corrosion free nature in the mild Steel can be achieved with the proper painting of the material. This blog serves as a guide to pain the mild steel material for the better usage in the different industrial applications.
Why Painting Mild Steel is Essential
Mild steel is also sometimes referred as MS Steel. Generally mild steel is composed of 98% to 99% iron and 0.05% to 0.25% carbon. Apart from that, it comes with trace elements like manganese and silicon. The chemical composition of mild steel, gives it a very high machinability. At the same time, it is also a reason of rusting, while exposed to the moisture and air. According to the World Corrosion Organization, the issue of corrosion costs global economy over $2.5 trillion annually. In the other words, it accounts for 3% of global GDP. Considering these aspects of corrosion and machinability of steel, painting is considered as the primary defence against the degradation of mild Steel materials.
Key Steps in Painting Mild Steel
Surface Preparation
The first step in painting mild steel to make clean and smooth surface of the mild steel material. According to a report by the American Galvanizers Association (AGA), surface contaminants can reduce paint adhesion by 30%, leading to faster peeling and cracking. Grease, dirt, and rust like residues are to be removed to achieve proper adhesion of the coating. Sandblasting is commonly used method of surface preparation in the different industrial applications.
Applying Primer
Rust prevention and adhesion can be bettered with the application of primer on the mild steel. Zinc rich primers are important to get better painting on MS Steel. As per Materials Performance Journal primers can extend the lifespan of painted steel by 10 to 15 years in corrosive environments.
Painting and Finishing
Acrylic and polyurethane paints best suited for mild steel painting due to UV radiation resistant property of these paints. Two-component epoxy coatings are commonly used to control the damage of mild steel materials for 20 years or more in moderate environments. At least 24 hours is needed for the paint to settle down on the Mild Steel material. This curing times can also be varied depending up on humidity and temperature. According to Sherwin-Williams, the drying time of mild steel material can be increased by 30% depending on the different environments.
Benefits of Painting Mild Steel
The advantages of painting mild steel are not only limited to the corrosion resistance. Here are some benefits of painting mild steel is penned.
Corrosion Resistance: Proper coating reduces rust formation by up to 90%, as stated by the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE).
Cost Efficiency: Preventing corrosion through painting can save 20% to 30% in maintenance costs over the steel’s lifecycle.
Enhanced Aesthetics: Painted ms steel improves visual appeal, making it suitable for architectural applications.
Use of Mild Steel in Harsh Environment: Case of Marine Environments
Marine environments are one of the harshest environments. This environment is unfavourable for mild steel due to high salt content and humidity. It is one of the noteworthy example of the toughest, critical use of mild steel materials. A study by the Journal of Marine Science and Technology found that uncoated steel structures corrode at a rate of 0.1 mm per year, which is very disappointing for any structural framework in the marine environment. If the structure is properly painted, the same steel showed negligible corrosion over a 15-year period. It shows that, MS Steel can be painted and painted MS Steel has better strength and environment tolerance, which makes it ideal for the multidimensional usage. As per the mentioned environment, the painting mild steel with epoxy coatings combined with polyurethane topcoats has longer lifespan. For offshore platforms, these coatings are mandatory to comply with ISO 12944 standards.
Sustainability in Steel Painting
Painting mild steel also aligns with sustainability goals. Protecting steel through proper coating reduces material waste and energy consumption associated with replacements. Proper coating of the Mild Steel materials can extend the lifespan of steel components by 20 years. Even, it can also lower the lifecycle emissions of mild steel by 15% to 20%. In the Mild steel painting, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints are now widely used. These paints reduced the environmental impact of steel painting.
Conclusion: Painting Mild Steel for Long-Term Durability
Painting mild steel is not just a protective measure. Now-a-days it is an investment in durability, safety, and sustainability. Painting mild steel is a straightforward and impactful process to protect the versatile material from environmental degradation. Also, it ensures the aesthetic and functional qualities of steel are maintained. At Shree Ji Steel, (https://shreejisteelcorp.com/products/) We ensure the best quality of Mild Steel products that supports better painiting for multi-dimensional usage.
