Testing of paint materials suitable for application to inner surfaces of tanks and vessels at subzero ambient and metal temperatures

UDK: 620.197.6:620.199

DOI: 10.24887/0028-2448-2026-7-62-66

Key words: corrosion-resistant coating, tanks and vessels, paint material, winter-grade curing agent, strict climatic requirements, laboratory tests, coating film polymerization, adhesion strength

Authors: F.Sh. Shakirov (TatNIPIneft, RF, Almetyevsk); L.V. Malykhina (TatNIPIneft, RF, Almetyevsk); I.S. Tokmacheva (TatNIPIneft, RF, Almetyevsk); G.I. Volostnova (TatNIPIneft, RF, Almetyevsk); I.Z. Karipov (Tatneft-Dobycha JV, RF, Almetyevsk)

The necessity of conducting tests to select corrosion-resistant paint materials suitable for application at subzero ambient and metal temperatures is driven by the need to extend the painting season, and reduce material and economic expenditures associated with the use of additional heating devices to maintain the required temperature conditions during paint application on large-sized tanks and vessels. This paper is focused on the issues of selection and testing of winter-grade paint materials available on the domestic market, which are capable of forming a long-life coating. The research involved a series of field and laboratory tests for eight corrosion-resistant coatings belonging to different chemical classes. These coatings are specifically designed to protect the inner surfaces of tanks and vessels against corrosion when applied at low ambient temperatures ranging from -5 to -10 °C. Following preparation under the specified conditions, the coated samples were subjected to a series of accelerated laboratory tests to evaluate their behavior in corrosive environments. The tests included static exposure to brine water within a wide temperature range from 20 to 80 °C, crude oil exposure, and cyclic temperature variation from 90 to -40 °C. Subsequently, changes in decorative and protective properties were evaluated, including coating film thickness, adhesion strength measured by both the X-cut and the pull-off methods, shock and abrasion resistance, and the rust creep. Based on the experimental results, a number of coating systems that demonstrated satisfactory performance during the accelerated laboratory aging tests were recommended for field application.

References

1. Agafonova G.L., Valiakhmetov R.I., Kozhaeva A.V. et al., Methodological foundations of anticorrosive protection of capacitive equipment with the use of paint and varnish coatings (In Russ.), Ekspozitsiya Neft’ Gaz, 2024, No. 8, pp. 129–133, DOI: https://doi.org/10.24412/2076-6785-2024-8-129-133

2. Agafonova G.L., Kozhaeva A.V., Experience in the use of paints and varnishes for anti-corrosion protection of oilfield equipment of Bashneft JSC (In Russ.), Territoriya Neftegaz, 2012, No. 3, pp. 40–44.

3. Revin P.O., Study of the possibility of applying protective coatings in low temperature conditions (In Russ.), Inzhenernaya praktika, 2025, No. 3–4, pp. 52–55.

4. Pavlutskaya A.S., Technologies and materials used for painting metal structures in sub-zero temperatures (In Russ.), Molodoy uchenyy, 2023, No. 29(476),

pp. 44–48.

5. Rychkov A.V., Tokarev M.D., Chernova A.A., Corrosion protection system for tank equipment adapted for climatic conditions of middle latitudes (In Russ.), Khimicheskaya fizika i mezoskopiya, 2023, V. 25, No. 4, pp. 577–586, DOI: https://doi.org/10.15350/17270529.2023.4.52

6. GOST 9.402-2004. Unified system of corrosion and ageing protection. Paint coatings. Metal surface preparation for painting.

7. GOST 31993-2024. Paint materials. Determination of film thickness.

8. GOST 9.407-2015. Unified system of corrosion and ageing protection. Paint coatings. Method of appearance rating.

9. GOST 32702.2-2014. Paint materials. Determination of adhesion by X-cuttest method.

10. GOST 32299-2025. Coating materials. Pull-off test for adhesion.

11. GOST 4765-2024. Coating materials. Method for determining of coating impact resistance.