Polyurethane Adhesion Promotion

Project ID: 1804
Principal Investigator: Stephanie Prochaska
Research Topic: Repair and Maintenance
Funded Fiscal Years: 2018
Keywords: None

Research Question

Is there a pre-treatment, unique primer, or additive that can be incorporated into polyurethane-based linings to increase adhesion in high flow, high pressure, and constant immersion service?

Need and Benefit

Finding coatings that perform well under the conditions inside penstocks (high flow, high pressure, and constant immersion) has been a difficult task, especially considering the phasing out of the traditionally used coal tar linings. Polyurethane-based linings are a promising replacement due to their corrosion resistance and impact resistance properties. In addition, polyurethane linings are applied in one coat, thus providing faster curing times and faster return to service. This proposed literature review will benefit Reclamation by identifying various solutions to solve the adhesion problem and serve as a pathway to conduct continued research to develop polyurethanes with better adhesion properties. While there are other coatings that can be used to line the interior of penstocks, they require multiple coats, longer curing times, or advanced safety measures to protect the applicators. Denver Water also has an interest in this research as they have been facing the same issues while using polyurethane linings in their conduits.

Contributing Partners

Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.

Research Products

Bureau of Reclamation Review

The following documents were reviewed by experts in fields relating to this project's study and findings. The results were determined to be achieved using valid means.

Polyurethane Adhesion Promotion (final, PDF, 1.1MB)
By Stephanie Prochaska
Research Product completed on September 30, 2018

This research product summarizes the research results and potential application to Reclamation's mission.

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Last Updated: 6/22/20