Smith Corporation produces chemical storage vessels & water heaters. Single & multiple coats of enamels are applied to metal substrates, typically hot rolled or cold rolled steels. The glass coating on steel & porcelain enamels are produced & applied in-house. Qualification testing concerning maximum operating temperature, chemical concentration of solutions in contact with glass & the subsequent corrosion rate is of great importance. Corrosion testing methodology has been developed to obtain corrosion rate data for glasses & then extrapolating this data for service life. A high pressure test cell was designed allowing exposure of only the enamel coating to the corrosive liquid. Key factors affecting glass performance coatings are: concentration of the liquid in contact with the glass, temperature of the liquid, the rate of agitation & any contaminants.
