ALKA · AUSTRALIAN COATINGS MANUFACTURER
Mineral Processing Plants
A coordinated coating approach for process steel and wet areas.
SERVICE & APPLICATIONS
Protection matched to the asset.
Mineral processing plants bring atmospheric corrosion, washdown and reagent exposure into close proximity. ALKA systems allow structural steel, maintenance repairs and chemical containment to be specified as distinct duties within one plant coating schedule.
Process structures
Platforms, pipe racks and equipment supports need weather protection, detail coverage and a practical inspection plan.
Washdown areas
Repeated wetting and cleaning make substrate condition, drainage interfaces and barrier continuity important.
Reagent containment
Select the lining around the chemical identity, concentration, temperature and expected contact period.
ALKYD PRIMERS · ENAMELS · SINGLE-PACK FINISHING
Match everyday plant finishes to the process zone
Dry service frames, equipment covers and workshop-finished components may suit single-pack protective primers and enamels. Plant areas exposed to washdown, slurry, reagents or repeated spillage need their own coating route; a visually similar steel surface can have a very different service requirement.
Products to assess for the job
- ALKA 401 · Alkyd zinc phosphate primer
Prepared carbon steel; a corrosion-inhibiting primer for compatible alkyd and enamel finishing routes.
- ALKA 403 · Red oxide anti-corrosive primer
A primer option for prepared ferrous metal, fabricated steel and general maintenance; confirm the selected finish compatibility.
- ALKA 410 · Rapid-cure protective enamel
A gloss finishing option for machinery, fabricated components and maintenance work over a compatible prepared and primed surface.
- ALKA 415 · Hammer-tone finish
A decorative textured finish for machine covers, cabinets, enclosures and fabricated metal items where appearance is part of the brief.
Select a complete, compatible primer and finish. The products above are options by role, not a blanket approval to combine every primer and topcoat.
What the applicator or specifier needs
List the cleaning products, process liquids, wetting frequency and operating temperatures for each zone. Include maintenance activities as well as normal production.
Remove process deposits and oil before preparing the surface. Assess adhesion of retained coatings and confirm primer/topcoat compatibility on a representative repair area.
Plan isolation, ventilation and cure around production restart. Confirm the coating is ready for cleaning or chemical exposure before returning the asset to that duty.
Write a usable coating schedule
Specify the substrate and preparation, exact primer and finish, individual-coat dry-film thickness, application method, thinning limits, recoat interval and service-cure requirement from current product data. For repainting, document the retained coating and a representative compatibility trial before full application.
Choose the coating for the exposure
Persistent washdown, chemical spillage, wet/dry cycling and immersed service require a separately selected protective or lining system.
A single-pack route can simplify small batches and routine repainting because it does not require mixing a separate hardener. It still depends on sound preparation, suitable film build and the correct recoat window. Where exposure or the required maintenance interval is more demanding, assess the relevant two-pack epoxy, polyurethane or specialist lining system.
Does fast drying mean the part is ready for service?
No. Touch-dry, recoatable, handleable and fully cured describe different stages. Use the selected product data and actual application conditions to plan each stage. Excessive film build, early overcoating or premature handling can compromise the finish; adding extra thinner or a hardener is not a substitute for the specified application procedure.
SELECT THE COMPLETE BUILD
ALKA systems for this application.
| System | Why select it | Coating build | Total DFT |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALKA-9930 Premium External | Premium corrosion protection combined with a UV-stable, colour-retentive finish Abrasive-blasted carbon steel; external industrial and coastal atmospheric exposure | Alka 404 zinc-rich epoxy primer → Alka 413 high-build epoxy → Alka 421 polyurethane finish | 250–300 µm |
| ALKA-9935 Glass-Flake Barrier Lining | High-build glass-flake barrier delivers strong resistance to permeation, wet service and abrasion Prepared steel or concrete exposed to wet service, abrasion, splash, spillage or aggressive industrial conditions | Substrate-specific primer where required → Alka 414 Glass Flake Epoxy → optional approved build or finish coat | 400–750 µm |
| ALKA-9936 Chemical-Resistant Lining | Higher chemical resistance than standard epoxy systems for demanding process environments Prepared steel or concrete in tanks, bunds, process areas and secondary containment | Alka Tanklin 100 and/or Alka Tanklin Chem system selected to suit the chemical service | 450–600 µm |
DFT = dry-film thickness. These are nominal system totals; individual-coat thicknesses and application conditions belong in the final coating schedule.
SPECIFICATION & APPLICATION
From surface preparation to return to service.
Build the coating schedule around the substrate and the work that can be achieved on site. For refurbishment, assess the adhesion and compatibility of retained coatings before defining repair boundaries.
- 01Process and cleaning chemicals
- 02Steel or concrete substrate
- 03Wetting and immersion regime
- 04Shutdown and commissioning window
Record surface preparation, environmental conditions, coverage at details and coat thickness. Allow for the specified recoat and cure periods, then inspect and repair defects before release to service.
ALKA-9930 · External steel example
Schematic, not to scale. Follow the selected system for products, layer count and thickness.
TECHNICAL QUESTIONS
Details that affect system selection.
What information matters most for reagent areas?
Provide the exact chemical and concentration, operating and cleaning temperatures, contact duration and spill response. Include mixtures and occasional upset conditions rather than relying only on normal operation.
What belongs in the final technical submission?
Include current TDS and SDS, substrate preparation, the product and thickness schedule, application conditions, inspection criteria and cure requirements. For chemical or immersed service, include written suitability for the actual exposure. Any required certification or durability commitment must be supported by the relevant evidence.
High-temperature equipment, severe slurry erosion and pressure-vessel performance are outside a general atmospheric coating selection. Record those duties separately in the plant specification.
PRODUCTS & TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS
Go directly to the product information.
Open the relevant product page for its published information and available documents. Request the current TDS and SDS set for the specified products before procurement.
MANUFACTURER TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Turn the service conditions into a coating specification.
Send the asset, substrate, exposure and maintenance window. ALKA can help define the coating build, preparation and technical documentation for your review.