Intumescent paint coating corrosivity ratings in the Australian atmosphere
Two key Australian Standards - AS 4312 and AS/NZS 2312.2 - provide information on the corrosion rate of steel under a range of atmospheric conditions around Australia.
These corrosive ratings form an integral part of specifying an intumescent paint coating system for a building project.
The other key criteria in creating a specification is, of course, the fire rating level (or FRL).
The CSIRO (as well as other organisations) have carried out extensive mapping to establish the corrosivity of the Australian climate. AS 4312 is the best source of Australian data for corrosivity of steel in the local environment.
The corrosion rate estimates for steel in the various standards are consistent and interchangeable with the International Standards ISO 9223 and ISO 14713.1 for the purposes of service life estimates.
AS 4312 includes maps showing estimates of corrosivity zones for several major cities of Australia.
In addition, detailed corrosivity maps for South Australia prepared by the South Australian government are available at SA Government Corrosion Environment Maps.
Other states may have similar resources.
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