EQUIPMENT on mine sites can face extreme conditions, so protective coatings are essential to ensure machinery functions to a high standard for its entire life cycle.
Unfortunately, the drying time in coating systems has traditionally be a long and drawn-out process, with one day needed for the primer coats, the need for sanding between each coat and a final day required to apply the top coat.
Masterblasters owner and general manager Tim Hamblin was confident the company could find a solution and avoid this extensive downtime – and that solution was the three-coat system.
“We developed the three-coat system with our paint supplier, Paint-n-Colour Toowoomba, which would allow us to reduce the drying time on coatings by 33 per cent,” Mr Hamblin said.
“Essentially, instead of spending multiple days on each piece of equipment we can be in and out in one day – saving our clients valuable time and money.”
Usually protective coatings dry in fine sand-like particles on the equipment, requiring the crew to sand down all surfaces before applying the final coat of paint.
Masterblasters’ three-coat system uses a paint that does not dry in fine particles – negating the need for sanding.
“With that step removed in the drying process, we can complete our work faster and still to an incredibly high standard,” Mr Hamblin said.
The system can dramatically extend the life cycle of machinery in challenging environments where equipment is often cleaned and washed down with mine water, which is often saltier than sea water..
“We developed the system to cater for these clients and give them the high quality protection they need in less time than our competitors,” Mr Hamblin said.
‘With a variety of drying bays available for different sized equipment, along with our three-coat system, we really can cater for most of our clients’ needs.”
Abrasive blasting
Abrasive blasting removes millscale, rust and damaged paint caused by operating in environments with excessive heat and UV, exposure to chemicals and other corrosive elements.
Masterblasters can prepare a metal surface by removing any corrosion or previous coating, providing a clean profile for paint to adhere to.
This is a crucial step in the process for the overall protection and longevity of mining equipment protective coatings.
Mr Hamblin said the company used quality-assured garnet with low chloride certification, or alternative abrasive mediums to ensure consistency and maximum corrosion protection.
“The right combination of abrasive blasting and protective coatings can reduce the costs of repairs and replacement equipment and really add value for our clients,” he said.
“Our rigorous assessment process enables us determine the best surface preparation method for your equipment or site.
“We consider factors such as humidity and temperature, adhesion and chemical bonding, wear resistance, as well as cost efficiency and ongoing maintenance requirements.”
“Our fully environmentally compliant blasting facility in Toowoomba caters for large scale equipment including drilling rigs, structural steel beams (of up to 18m), as well as smaller components; with extensive storage and set-down areas onsite,” he said.
Custom coatings
Different equipment in separate locations on mining sites experience varied exposure levels so it’s essential a variety of high-performance, heavy duty protective coatings be considered.
In the same vein, the internal and external surfaces of processing, storage or thickener tanks will all have different coating requirements depending on the temperatures and chemicals they are exposed to.
Whether the need is for corrosion protection, fire protection, chemical resistance, long-term weathering, colour stability, abrasion, insulation, heat resistance, or immersion linings, Masterblasters can source the right paint for any project.
“Our coatings help reduce downtime and in turn maintenance costs over the life of equipment,” Mr Hamblin said.
“We offer comprehensive technical advice on all protective coating options for our clients.”
Through supplier Paint-n-Colour, Masterblasters also offers custom paint matching services which are included with expert technical advice from industrial chemists on the best product and best coating options for any situation.
