A long lifespan is a benefit for many products, and the same is true for thermal barrier coatings. However, as you likely know, it’s only natural for materials to degrade over time, eventually reaching the point at which they are no longer effective. As such, it’s only normal to wonder about how quickly thermal barrier coatings degrade, if at all.
As you’ll soon see, the real answer to this question is somewhat nuanced and depends partially on the setting in which you use your thermal barrier coatings. Read on to learn how long you can expect your thermal barrier coating to last.
Do Thermal Barrier Coatings Degrade at All?
Technically, thermal barrier coatings will degrade and deteriorate over time. However, the rate at which this degradation occurs is incredibly slow. In fact, regardless of where you apply your thermal barrier coating, the degradation that unfolds each year will likely be imperceptible to your naked eye.
Since thermal barrier coatings degrade very slowly, you can count on them to perform their function well for several years, if not decades, before you notice any signs of degradation or reduced effectiveness. Given its long lifespan, thermal barrier coatings prove to be an excellent way of protecting certain materials over the long term.
Where You Apply Your Thermal Barrier Coating Affects Lifespan
In the introduction, we noted that the location in which you apply your thermal barrier coating has an effect on its degradation rate. The main factor to consider is whether you apply your coating in an outdoor or an indoor setting. The sections below will explain further.
Thermal Barrier Coating Lifespan Outdoors
When you apply a thermal barrier coating in an outdoor setting, it will most likely have full exposure to the weather and the elements. Naturally, this exposure causes the coating to have a finite lifespan.
However, as we mentioned earlier, although that lifespan is finite, it is still quite long. In most scenarios, a thermal barrier coating applied in an outdoor setting will still last for 10 to 20 years. During that time, you can rely on your thermal barrier coating to efficiently provide all the fantastic benefits that motivated you to apply it in the first place.
At times, these coatings may last even longer than 20 years, especially if you apply them properly and they don’t have an extreme amount of exposure to harsh elements. Still, you will eventually need to re-apply outdoor thermal barrier coatings.
Thermal Barrier Coating Lifespan Indoors
We just discussed the relatively long lifespan that an outdoor thermal barrier coating can have. Now, let’s consider how long it takes for an indoor thermal barrier coating to degrade. The answer, in this instance, may come to you as a pleasant surprise.
Amazingly, when you apply a thermal barrier coating in an indoor setting, there is a potential for it to have an indefinite lifespan. This prolonged lifespan arises from the fact that most indoor settings are shielded from the damage that the elements can cause.
The incredible lifespan of an indoor thermal barrier coating is part of the reason why these protective layers are so beneficial. In many cases, when you apply a thermal barrier coating indoors correctly, you will never need to replace it during your lifetime.
Thermal Barrier Coatings in Industrial Settings
We just mentioned that the lifespan of an indoor thermal barrier coating is essentially limitless. However, this claim comes with a slight caveat. Mainly, this nearly indefinite indoor lifespan assumes that you are not applying your thermal barrier coating in a heavy industrial or manufacturing setting.
Similar to outdoor settings, industrial settings can expose thermal barrier coatings to wear and tear, which results in deterioration. Still, even in these settings, you can rely on your thermal barrier coating to have a lifespan similar to what it would have in an outdoor setting, about 10 to 20 years or more.
How to Ensure Your Thermal Barrier Coating Lasts as Long as Possible
Now that you have a general idea of a thermal barrier coating’s lifespan, you might wonder if there is anything you can do to ensure that your coatings last as long as possible. Fortunately, the answer to that question is yes. The information to follow will explain how.
Apply Your Coating Correctly for Best Results
The best way to get the most out of your thermal barrier coating is to ensure you perform the application process correctly. The correct application increases the odds that your coating lasts a long time and performs at full capacity during its lifespan. Here are the general steps you should follow to get the application right:
- Use protective equipment: While thermal barrier coatings are safe for the environment and human health, it remains best not to inhale them during application. Wear a mask and protective eyewear while you apply. Additionally, you’ll want to cover items in and near your application area on which you don’t want to apply the coating.
- Use the right application equipment: The tools you use to apply play a key role here. For most thermal barrier coatings, it’s best to use a sprayer to ensure an even coating. In many instances, removing the filters from within your sprayer makes the application process more efficient.
- Ensure the right environmental conditions: Ideally, the temperatures in your application area should be about 55 degrees Fahrenheit or more during the application process. This temperature range ensures the coating will cure properly. Maintaining lower relative humidity also facilitates even application.
- Let the coating dry: The final important step to remember is that your coating needs time to dry after you apply it. Once the coating is dry, it will begin to perform its primary function and likely have a long lifespan as well.
Get the Longest-Lasting Thermal Barrier Coating You Can Find
Getting the most out of your thermal barrier coating starts with finding one from a supplier you can trust. At ThermaCote, we create industry-leading thermal barrier coatings that not only perform well but display an incredible lifespan as well. If you want to learn more about how our products can work for you and your industry, reach out today.