Britz-Heidbrink Inc. Mini-CRADA, Powder Coating of Animal Enclosures.

Smith, M. D.

Technical Information Center Oak Ridge Tennessee

关键词: Animal enclosures;    Coatings;    Animals;    Phosphoric acid;    Stainless steels;   

RP-ID  :  DE2001750158

学科分类：工程和技术（综合）

美国|英语

来源: National Technical Reports Library

【 摘 要 】

The goal of this CRADA was to combine the powder coating material and application techniques and laboratory testing capabilities of FM and T with the manufacturing, real-world testing, and practical knowledge available to BHI in a limited study to determine if coated stainless steel would provide the durability needed to justify additional work in this area. The coating materials chosen had to have low reflectivity and be easily sanitized, non-toxic, pleasant in appearance, and durable for the lifetime of the stainless steel product. The materials also had to be capable of withstanding the daily abuse of animal contact, impact with walls or other hard surfaces, and exposure to a variety of lighting and climatic conditions. FM and T and BHI worked together to investigate coating materials that under normal conditions would be exposed, at least weekly, to 180 F to 260 F washing and sanitization procedures that include strong detergents and phosphoric acid. After a proper cleaning method for the bare panels was established, six different powder coatings were selected and tested. The coatings were selected for their known resistance to harsh chemicals. Sample panels of each coating passed 1000 hours of continuous salt fog exposure and 24-hour constant submersion in heated disinfectant solutions. Actual cage panels were then coated and installed in a high-pressure spray washer at a medical research facility for accelerated real-world testing. In the high-pressure spray washer, the panels received the equivalent of one year's exposure to harsh chemicals in one week. In addition to the exposure to the harsh sanitizing chemicals, the test panels never had a chance to get completely dry. In actual use, the panels would have been cleaned once a week and would have been essentially dry the rest of the time. Constant soak in wet conditions is one of the most difficult tests of paint durability. The accelerated aging indicated that five of the six coatings tested are able to withstand the wear and tear of everyday use for extended periods of time, equivalent to 7-10 years.