Innovations are the engine for progress. Innovations usually mean novelties that are introduced into a certain industrial or scientific process; innovations improve, make better, or give more benefit. Innovations are the end result of a person’s intellectual activity, their imagination, creativity, expertise, and rationalization.
For KHIMIK, innovations mean a continuous complex of strategic tasks aimed at transforming and improving the company’s business processes and products so as to satisfy public needs and solve business problems.
For KHIMIK, innovations mean a continuous complex of strategic tasks aimed at transforming and improving the company’s business processes and products so as to satisfy public needs and solve business problems.
AQUA DETA series, innovative water-based aerosols, is an example of such innovation related to flying insect protection that was put into practice by KHIMIK.
AQUA DETA features a unique water base formula, making it a one-of-a-kind repellent on the market of insect protection products. A special alcohol-free formula provides careful and safe insect protection suitable even for sensitive skin. AQUA DETA formulae don’t make skin dry, are 100% safe for human health, and have excellent efficacy.
Anticorrosive products
Corrosion is a treacherous destroyer. It does not spare even the most robust structures. As a result, you suffer production, financial, and time losses. Uncoated steel corrodes when exposed to air or ground, which may cause destruction. To avoid corrosion damage, steel structures are therefore protected so that they are able to withstand corrosion stress throughout the specified lifecycle.
There are various corrosion protection methods that depend on the properties of the metal that has to be protected, the operating conditions and the aggressiveness of the environment where it is supposed to be placed. Corrosion protection is most often provided by applying organic and inorganic-based protective coatings, such as paints, onto the surface of structures to be protected.
An anticorrosive coating is required to meet the following requirements:
- it must make the structure more resistant to external harmful impact;
- an anticorrosive coating should be selected to suit specific material properties;
- an anticorrosive coating must isolate the material from adverse environment.
The choice of an anticorrosive coating and a corrosion protection method (including paint grade, number of coats, and total coating thickness) is based on the characteristics of the operating environment of a metal structure as well as the actual conditions at the time of application. There are various anticorrosive materials and coatings that are used depending on environment aggressiveness and operating conditions. Epoxy-resin-based materials are among the most effective coating materials that are used for corrosion protection of metal structures.
Epoxy paints are usually two-can systems. Epoxy paints are based on epoxy resins which are linear polyethers whose molecular chains have reactive epoxy groups on both ends and secondary hydroxyl groups all along the chain.
When they interact with organic nitrogen-containing compounds (hardeners), linear molecules cross-link, resulting in three-dimensional polymers (hardened resins). Following the reaction, a resin hardens and turns into an insoluble, infusible compound with a three-dimensional structure without releasing any reaction by-products, so there is almost no coating shrinkage.
Solvent-free materials are among the most advanced coating materials. These are based on liquid epoxy resins. Active thinners that are added to reduce viscosity impart painting properties to a coating without using volatile solvents. Solvent-free materials are essential for painting various tanks and other enclosed volumes. They dramatically reduce toxicity and fire and explosion hazards that are inherent in painting.
Epoxy-resin-based coatings boast a combination of good physical/mechanical and dielectric properties, which is their main advantage. In addition, such coatings have good adhesion to metal, wood, and other materials, high hardness and chemical resistance, and excellent water stability, and also withstand exposure to oil, oil products, and many solvents.
High resistance to alkali and acids, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, oils, fuel, and water allow epoxy materials to be used for external and internal protection of main pipelines. Coatings that use such materials are hard, elastic, and impact-resistant at the same time.
Development of corrosion protection materials is one of the core activities at KHIMIK. The company has developed and introduced various anticorrosive materials to protect oil and gas equipment: pipelines, fittings, stop valves, oil storage tanks, as well as steel structures used for various applications. When developing these materials, which are capable of withstanding long-time exposure to a corrosive medium, it had to consider the whole mix of conditions affecting the life of coatings. It includes the operating conditions of a coating such as the chemical composition of the medium, temperature and pressure, mechanical stress, and climatic conditions at a given location. Application conditions: surface preparation methods and quality, coating application equipment, hardening and storage conditions, and mode of transportation.
TREPP-TR and TREPP-TR-90 are two-component solvent-free epoxy-based enamels intended for corrosion protection of inner surfaces of steel transfer pipes for oil, water-oil-gas mixtures, oil products, and cold and hot sea and industrial water. The enamels are resistant to cathodic disbondment and can therefore be applied together with cathodic protection for pipelines, and are also highly abrasion-resistant.
- The TREPP-TR-90 enamel can be used at temperatures up to 90 °C and is permitted to contact with drinking water.
- The TREPP-TR enamel can be used at temperatures up to 60 °C. It is recommended for internal corrosion protection of oil well tubing.
The service life of the coatings reaches 10 years.
TREPP-GP-2 powder coating primer
This is an epoxyphenol primer designed to form an adhesive layer on metal prior to applying powder coatings onto the internal surface of pipelines. It improves the anticorrosive properties and adhesion of a surface.
TREPP-TRG-1 and TREPP-TRG-2 two-component epoxy enamels
These are used for the internal protection of main gas pipelines. The materials are designed to create an antifriction (smooth) layer in order to reduce aerodynamic drag in a gas pipeline and thereby save energy for gas transfer. They also provide corrosion protection in the time between the fabrication and installation of a pipeline. The TREPP-TRG-1 enamel contains no solvents at all, and the TREPP-TRG-2 enamel has a low solvent content.
Ritan-531 two-component polyurethane enamel
Used for external corrosion protection of undersurface pipelines, fittings, and stop valves. Fast-curing. Rheological behavior allows it to be applied onto vertical surfaces, with a layer of up to 3 mm. The coating has high anticorrosive properties, resistance to water and cathodic polarization, adhesion and impact strength, and also high tensile strength.
TREPP-GO-2 one-component hot-curing epoxy enamel
No solvents. It is mainly used as a wear-resistant anticorrosive coating for driven piles and to protect the outer surface of pipelines prior to applying polyurethane thermal insulation.
TREPP-RV-726N and TREPP-RV-726SV two-component epoxy enamels
These enamels have a high non-volatile content (min. 80%). They are intended to protect the inner surface of tanks. The TREPP-RV-726N enamel is used as an anticorrosive coating of storage tanks for oil and dark oil products. The TREPP-SV-726SV enamel is used as an anticorrosive coating of storage tanks for light oil products, preventing static electrical discharges from occurring on the inner surface of a tank. They are very durable and can be applied by means of airless spray systems with premixed components. Simply mix a quantity of enamel components required for an hour of work prior to use.
Painting of steel structures
RITAN is a double coating consisting of one layer of TREPP-RV-726NV primer and one layer of RITAN-755 enamel and is intended to provide corrosion protection for steel structures and outer surfaces of tanks.
The first layer has high barrier properties and long passivating effect and therefore performs corrosion protection functions. The second one is a finish coat, protecting against sunlight, moisture, and precipitation. The coating can be applied in the following climatic regions as defined by GOST 16350: I1 (very cold), I2 (cold), II4 (moderately cold), and is suitable for various corrosivity categories: C5-M, C4, C3 (as per ISO 12944-2 and ISO 9223). The service life of the coatings reaches 20 years.
TREPP-RV-726NV two-component epoxy primer
Applied as the first coat by means of airless spray systems. The solvent content is no more than 20%. Simply mix a quantity of enamel components required for an hour of work prior to use. The primer imparts high anticorrosive and physical/mechanical properties to a coating system. The recommended thickness of the TREPP-RV-726NV primer depends on operating conditions and the desired service life of the coating.
RITAN-755 two-component top-coat polyurethane enamel
Applied by means of airless spray systems, with premixed components. This is the second coat in a coating system. Simply mix a quantity of enamel components required for an hour of work prior to use. The enamel is highly resistant to UV light, gloss and semi-gloss, and retains less dirt. It is available in various colors. The solvent content is no more than 35%. An applied layer is 80 to 100 µm thick.
Coating systems using the TREPP-RV-726NV primer and the RITAN-755 enamel are intended not only for painting of steel tanks but also for corrosion protection of outdoor steel structures and outer surfaces of outdoor pipelines and equipment.
PROFLEX one-component fast-curing primer
Does not require thorough surface preparation. Can be applied onto metal surfaces covered in thick rust, with a layer of up to 100 µm. One to three layers are applied. Provides a semi-gloss coating. Intended for corrosion protection of outdoor steel structures and equipment. The service life of a three-layer coating is 6 years. Can be used as a primer for overlaps of pentaphthalic, perchlorvinyl, or polyvinylchloride-copolymer-based enamels.
Our technology allows some process characteristics such as rheological properties or curing time to be adapted to the process equipment available at a coating plant. When developing paints for commercial use it is critical to ensure that labor effort required for application of paint is reduced. With this in mind, we have developed paints with which a desired coating thickness can be obtained in one coat. The rheological behavior of these materials allows a coating of up to 800 µm to be obtained on vertical surfaces, whereas the high anticorrosive properties, chemical resistance, and excellent adhesion extend the service life and provide the high performance of the coating.
Carboxylate solutions
The two recent trends in the engine building industry have been for an increase in the capacity of a power train and a decrease in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere through the use of a smaller number of cylinders and reduced displacement volume.
As a result, there are higher expectations of materials used in main engine components such as small weight and sufficiently high strength, since you cannot increase power while at the same time reducing displacement unless there is more load on the engine. Aluminum and its alloys have become such structural materials, replacing cast iron and steel. All these changes made it necessary to develop special coolant. EVERCOOL LONG LIFE carboxylate antifreezes were developed by KHIMIK for modern high-efficiency engines in 2007 and have been produced since then in compliance with Specification 2422-074-00205357-2007 and fully meet the requirements of both Russian and international standards.
Additive packages for coolants, made with conventional technology, are composed of inorganic acid salts (silicates, nitrites, nitrates, amines, borates, and phosphates). Silicates basically provide corrosion protection for aluminum (see Fig. 1). Nitrites are there to protect against cavitation erosion.
Conventional additive packages are balanced. Therefore, a coolant deteriorates if there is a deviation in the composition (e.g. one of the components is quickly consumed).
Coolants made with conventional technology (inorganic-based) suffer from the fact that additives are unable to protect aluminum at temperatures higher than 105 ºC and in case of high heat flow, and also that sludge and insoluble particles occur, impairing heat exchange and clogging the radiator.
EVERCOOL LONG LIFE carboxylate antifreezes form a 0.0005 mm (50 angstrom) protective film only where corrosion develops (see Fig. 2).
No protective film is formed elsewhere on the inside, so heat removal is not impaired (see Fig. 3). Since such targeted protection makes additive consumption considerably slower, antifreezes made with the carboxylate technology remain stable throughout virtually the whole period of use. Carboxylate antifreezes form no sludge throughout the period of use, while efficiently protective the engine.
The EVERCOOL LONG LIFE antifreeze is an aqueous ethylene glycol solution containing Nekker LL-OAT® as an anticorrosive additive package with high reserve alkalinity to provide enhanced corrosion protection.
The Nekker LL-OAT® corrosion inhibitor is a concentrate of carboxylate-based organic corrosion inhibitors in ethylene glycol.
EVERCOOL LONG LIFE antifreezes are free from nitrites, nitrates, amines, phosphates, borates, silicates and fully meet the requirements of GOST 28084-89 Low-Freezing Coolants and those of ASTM D3306 and BS 6580:1992. They are used in any engine’s cooling system and can be used all year round. These products have an extended service life and have been specifically developed for next-generation high-efficiency engines that run at increased temperatures. They can be used, without change, for 5 years or 250,000 km of run for a passenger car and 650,000 km for a truck.
Oxidizers
Corrosion protection of metals is one of major challenges before science and technology. The term corrosion derives from the Latin corrodere, which means corrode, destroy. Metal corrosion means deterioration of metals caused by physical and chemical action of an external medium where metal passes to oxidized (ionic) state and loses properties that are inherent to it. Corrosion obeys the laws of nature, so it cannot be completely eliminated but can be slowed down. There various protection methods that depend on corrosion behavior and surrounding conditions. The choice of a particular method is based on its efficacy in a given case, and also on cost-effectiveness. Chemical oxidation is one of corrosion protection methods. Oxidation is a process by which artificial oxide film is created on metal surface. Oxidation is applied to improve protective and decorative properties of coatings. Oxidizers can be used in combination with paint coatings or alone. They improve adhesion of coatings and extend their service life.
The TREPP-KP oxidizer is a solution of inorganic salts in water which is free from chromium VI and is designed to be applied onto outer surfaces of pipes after shot blasting as part of 2- or 3-layer external coating. Meets the Unified Sanitary Requirements of the Customs Union, and the requirements of Specification 2499-114-00205357-2010. The physical and chemical quality indicators of the TREPP-KP oxidizer match the requirements and standards in the table. The TREPP-KP oxidizer is used in the form of 8% solution in distilled or demineralized water. Stir the TREPP-KP oxidizer thoroughly prior to diluting or sampling. The solution is recommended to be applied onto the surface of a pipe, preheated to 40 to 60 °C, in a way to ensure even application, while trying to avoid spattering.
After evaporation, briefly heat the treated surface at 130 to 230 °C (for at least 30 seconds) for the oxidizer to activate, which will show up with the coating color changing from pale blue to golden yellow. After heating, the surface is ready for 2- or 3-layer external coating.
Pre-painting surface preparation
Steel surfaces must be prepared for painting in accordance with OST 5P.9566-94, ISO 12944-3:1998. Surfaces to be painted must be free from gas cutting slug, weld spatter, scale, rust, burrs, oil, and other dirt. Round all sharp edges to a radius of at least 2 mm.
To remove oil and other grease, scrub the surface with a soft bristle brush or wipe with a cloth soaked in benzine or TREPP-OP cleaning solution. Degree of degreasing must be equal to or higher than degree 1 as per GOST 9.402 so that no oil stains remain on a clean cloth after wiping some areas with it.
Any scale and rust must be removed by using abrasive blasting so as to reach Sa 2.5 as per ISO 8501-1:1998. Abrasive material must be dry, free-flowing, and must be free from contamination and foreign particles that may impair adhesion and aggravate metal corrosion. Abrasive specifications and test methods are described in ISO 11124:1993, ISO 11125:1993 (for metal abrasive) and ISO 11126:1993, ISO 11127:1993 (for non-metal abrasive).
The roughness of a treated surface must be Rz 40–90 µm. After treatment, remove dust from the surface. Measure dust content on the treated surface checking with ISO 8502-3:1992 to make sure that it is within level 2–3. To do this, use a transparent adhesive tape to collect dust from the surface. When using material on previously painted surfaces, first remove the old coating. Wait at least 24 hours after surface treatment before proceeding to oxidation. Otherwise, treatment and degreasing will have to be done once again.