Polysiloxane and Vinyl coatings Comparison and Field Trial

Project ID: 19227
Principal Investigator: Carter Gulsvig
Research Topic: Repair and Maintenance
Funded Fiscal Years: 2019, 2020 and 2021
Keywords: None

Research Question

Are any of the polysiloxanes a close vinyl replacement?
Initial laboratory tests show similar properties, but are not entirely identical to vinyl. Additional laboratory testing is required to identify better primers or if direct to metal applications will be closer to the results of vinyl. It is recognized that laboratory test is not the same as a field test, but laboratory tests should be used to screen products to determine if there are any major problems prior to doing a field test.

Need and Benefit

Protective coatings are the primary means of corrosion protection. The collaboration with the Corps of Engineers has
shown polysiloxanes have many similar corrosion resistant properties compared to vinyl resin. Manufacturers have
recently improved their products, but have not tested them for water immersion service. If these products work as well
as or better than their predecessors then we would have a true vinyl replacement.
The benefit is that the coatings may have a longer service life than the epoxy coatings that Reclamation has used for
the past 25 years.
The urgency is that most coating manufacturers have stopped making vinyl coatings. This coating has limited quantity
sold every year. Its only a manner of time before the coating may go extinct.

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.

Concrete Fabric for Concrete Canal Lining Repairs (final, PDF, 933KB)
By Shannon Harrell
R&D Bulletin completed on September 30, 2019

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

Laboratory Comparison of Polysiloxane and Vinyl Coatings and Polysiloxane Field Inspection (final, PDF, 3.6MB)
By Carter Gulsvig and Allen Skaja
Report completed on January 31, 2022

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

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Last Updated: 6/22/20