en.Wedoany.com Reported - Sherwin-Williams' Heat-Flex AEB thermal insulation coating system eliminates the conditions for corrosion under insulation (CUI) at the source by replacing traditional mineral-based insulation materials, providing a more sustainable solution for asset insulation of storage tanks, process vessels, and pipelines.
CUI occurs when moisture penetrates traditional insulation systems and becomes trapped between metal surfaces, creating a corrosive environment that is often difficult to detect. Heat-Flex AEB uses thick-film insulation coating materials to replace traditional insulation layers, maintaining operating temperatures up to 177°C (350°F) and withstanding short-term high temperatures of 204°C (400°F).
Neil Wilds, Global CUI Product Director at Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Division, stated that corrosion under insulation requires the presence of insulation. By removing the insulation from assets and replacing it with a thermal insulation coating, any physical system where CUI could occur is eliminated, thus CUI is inherently prevented.
This thermal insulation coating offers multiple sustainability advantages. By eliminating CUI, it helps extend the service life of steel assets, minimizing the environmental costs of production and maintenance. It eliminates the manufacturing, transportation, and storage of mineral wool insulation materials and their associated fixing wires, pins, straps, and metal cladding required by traditional systems. Unlike traditional insulation systems that lose efficiency due to inevitable moisture ingress, Heat-Flex AEB provides consistent insulation efficiency, maintaining required operating temperatures without increasing process heat, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Neil Wilds stated that during the development of Heat-Flex AEB, it was necessary to ensure the coating itself could retain process heat at sufficiently high temperatures to replace traditional insulation layers without affecting the consistency and flowability of materials inside the assets. This capability was achieved through careful regulation of the coating's molecules and product formulation, significantly reducing costs and improving the carbon footprint while enhancing efficiency across various facility applications.
Applying Heat-Flex AEB is simpler, faster, and safer compared to installing bulky insulation systems. Traditional insulation systems require workers to wrap, tie, and cover insulation near hot assets. Heat-Flex AEB is an easy-to-use single-component coating that simply requires opening, mixing, and applying. A single application instantly reduces surface temperature, eliminating burn risks. The product is applied by spraying, and applicators do not need to approach hot assets, allowing assets to operate at up to 148°C (300°F) during application, minimizing disruption. New assets can also be quickly and efficiently coated at pre-assembly yards without the need for on-site work.
Heat-Flex AEB is typically sprayed over a primer, which is applied directly to treated steel surfaces for corrosion protection. Recommended primers include Heat-Flex 750 and Heat-Flex ACE.
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