Summary:
Aquasteel is a unique corrosion control system developed by Bayer-Wood Technologies for use on rusted ferrous metal surfaces. On contact, the ferrous surface to be protected is converted to a complex organic iron compound by the unique deoxygenating agent incorporated in the Aquasteel. This black, corrosion-resistant layer is formed by utilizing all the surface moisture and oxygen during the reduction reaction. The special copolymer latex emulsion system dries to form an impermeable barrier to oxygen and moisture.
Aquasteel is water based and solvent free. It contains no harsh phosphoric or hydrofluoric acids, making it safer for employees and for the environment.
Storage:
Store in a cool, well ventilated area. Keep container tightly closed. Protect at all times from frost.
Shelf Life:
12 months
Average coverage:
1Litre: One coat applied at a wet thickness of 80-100 microns covers l2 square metres producing a dry film thickness of 25 – 40 microns.
Spraying guide:
Airless II thou tip on 30:1 pump.
Air assisted GFG @ 60 psi gravity or pressure fed.
Application Temperatures:
Should not be applied to cold metal at or below the dew point or hot metal above 40 °C . The coating gives excellent protection at temperatures between 5°C and 50°C during continuous use.
Surface Preparation:
Remove loose scale, flaky rust, old paint, and dirt with a wire brush. Salt-water deposits must be removed with high-pressure clean water blasting. Reduce any high peaks of rust.
IMPORTANT – high peaks must be adequately covered by Aquasteel. Alkali, grease, oil, salt and chemicals must be removed with detergent water, wash and then rinse surface with cold clean water. We recommend Aquawash in these cases. Paintwork blistered by rust must be scraped down to the hard rust surface. DO NOT REMOVE ALL TRACES OF RUST. RUST IS NECESSARY FOR THE COMPLETE REACTION OF AQUASTEEL TO TAKE PLACE. AQUASTEEL MAY BE APPLIED TO SLIGHTLY DAMP RUSTED SURFACES. Work areas of deep pitting well using brush.
NOTE: CONTAMINATION OF Aquasteel – To avoid the transfer of rust particles into Aquasteel container do NOT pour unused portion back into original Aquasteel container. Clean brushes/equipment with cold water or detergent wash. This also applies to any spillage that may occur.
Application:
- For inland applications – 2 coats are recommended for conversion and protection.
- Highly corrosive environments, i.e. salt water/marine, desert sand, chemical environments/tanks etc. apply a minimun of 3 coats of Aquasteel.
Aquasteel is self-priming and will accept most paints for over coating for extended life or for cosmetic finish. Overcoat paint must be tested for compatibility with Aquasteel before full-scale painting. Chemical liquid tanks or shipping applications, below the ‘water line’, overcoat with epoxy etc. and leave 7 days before immersion.
Drying times:
Each coat (approximately) touch dry – 15 mins – 45 mins dependent on temperature and humidity. Over-coating of water based products can be carried out after 4-8 hours. For solvent based products then a full 24 hours should be allowed to ensure all pockets of coating are completely dry. Protect from rain during drying. In confined areas, i.e. tanks, cellars etc. high humidity and low temperatures can delay drying time. Continuous warm air circulation is required to accelerate the drying process. Flash rusting may occur under the following circumstances:
- If Aquasteel is applied too thinly.
- Temperature is below 5°C – drying time delayed (finish may also be compromised)
- Salt deposits not removed from rust. Weld areas – flux salt deposits not removed.
Product Testing:
Aquasteel must be left 7 days before physical or chemical testing is carried out.
Adhesion:
Cross-hatch over rusted steel GtO, less than 5% removed.
Permeability:
20-25g/m/25mm/day.
Chemical resistance:
Spillage-resistance to acids and alkali splashes. Not resistant to prolonged contact with aliphatic or aromatic solvents. Prolonged contact with solvent causes softening, which will recover.
Rust elimination and long-term protection:
Aquasteel is a unique patented white organic copolymer latex with a specific gravity of 1.2.
It dries on rusted surfaces and chemically converts these to a black non-tacky layer in 30 minutes under normal conditions, forming an independent complex iron/iron oxide/organic chemical compound which gives complete protection for the treated surface.
The continuous chemical curing of Aquasteel forms a chemical bond with every metal interface, passivating, neutralizing and chemically converting rust.
The black chemical compound layer is completely neutral and can be used as a primer, without further treatment, for standard or synthetic resin lacquers, oil-based paints, two- component lacquers or bitumastic and oil tar-based finishers including micaceous iron-oxide paints. Aquasteel has extremely low toxicity and does not contain phosphoric acid or lead.
Method of use:
Depending on its condition, the surface to be treated will have to be degreased and wire-brushed to remove loose particles and dust.
THE PRODUCT SHOULD ALWAYS BE STIRRED PRIOR TO USE
The white Aquasteel rust converter is then applied by brush or spray. Complete inhibition and protection is achieved immediately. The black protective compound formed on the rusted surfaces does not require washing or passivating (unless oil or salt is present, in which case use Aquawash or a good alkaline degreaser).
Aquasteel is also an effective paint primer. Two or more coats of Aquasteel are used according to the rust density. Aquasteel can be left in its black finish, or can be over-painted.
Further Info :
Newly formed rust is chemically ferric hydroxide [Fe (OH) 3] or iron, which has reacted with oxygen (air) and moisture. Iron can combine with oxygen to form a variety of oxides depending on conditions of exposure.
One of these oxides is magnetite [Fe 3O 4] or fersoferric oxide, a stable compound, which does not readily change as exposure conditions change.
This stability is the basis for the protection. Aquasteel reduces ferric hydroxide to ferrous oxide, then combines with the ferrous oxide to form an organic fersofenic complex, which, similar to magnetite, is passivated.
When incorporated into a coating system the chemical action of Aquasteel is maintained.
For Full Material Safety Data Sheet or for Health and Safety issues call 01684 290077 or email sales@aquamarinechemicals.com