Containment tanks, particularly liquid storage containers, are some of the most challenging industrial structures when it comes to corrosion prevention and protection. Tanks are often subjected to corrosion from the inside out.
Liquids, by nature, have certain chemical properties that have a strong tendency for corrosion. From ordinary potable water to complex and specialized chemicals, liquids stored inside containment tanks uniquely affect inner tank coatings. The reaction exposes the tank’s inner chamber to the constant possibility of corrosion, abrasion, and decay. Externally, tanks are often exposed to ecological phenomena – dust, humidity, wind – that have equally unfavorable corrosive effects.
How does corrosion take place? In general, tank corrosion occurs when liquids or acidic elements produce a chemical reaction when they come in contact with the surface of the tank. Often, such caustic interaction leads to the gradual breakdown of the tank’s surface composition. The constant reaction leads to corrosion, which has the effect of degrading the tank’s material, discoloring the tank’s surface, and causing severe deterioration that can threaten the tank’s structural integrity.
The likelihood of damage due to corrosion is therefore one of the main reasons why it is very important to choose the correct tank coatings for tank protection.
