Category: News Alert

NEWS ALERT: A One Trillion Bacteria Boost for Inefficient Septic Systems

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Septic tanks are great inventions for homes or commercial institutions that do not have the convenience of a municipal sewer system. However, sometimes they need an extra boost to support the naturally occurring microbial colony that powers operations. BIOBOOSTER 1T™ is a great way to add one trillion beneficial bacteria to improve the efficiency of the system, especially when threatened by the introduction of toxic chemicals.

Harnessing the Natural Decomposition Process
The whole concept of a septic system is based on natural biodegradation processes. Different types of waste in the septic tank separate into different layers—sludge, liquid effluent, and floating scum or organic material—as they biodegrade. Naturally occurring microbes help break down the papers, oils, greases, and other contaminants in the waste, converting them into clear liquid effluent that then enters the septic system’s absorption area and gradually returns to nature.


Microbial Population Setbacks
Unfortunately, the all-important microbial workforce responsible for waste digestion faces setbacks and sometimes even extermination when bleaches or root killers are used for other septic system problems. Even the daily disposal of household cleaning products or laundry soaps can challenge the health of the microbes. When too many good bacteria die off, the waste digestion process becomes less efficient and more sludge can build up, leading to more frequent pumping and unpleasant odors coming out of the septic tank and pipes.

Replenishing the Bacterial Population
When this is the case, BIOBOOSTER 1T™ is an excellent treatment for replenishing the bacterial population in a septic tank. Each tablet of BIOBOOSTER 1T™ adds one trillion beneficial bacteria to the septic system. These bacteria and bacterial enzyme strains are effective at biodegrading organic material comprised of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. As a result, BIOBOOSTER 1T™ can help reduce sludge and septic tank pumping frequency, reduce bad odors and methane, and improve pipe purification and drain seeping. The same benefits are also available when BIOBOOSTER 1T™ is used as a monthly maintenance dose. BIOBOOSTER 1T™ is also a good option to populate (start up) the system after scheduled cleaning/pumping.

A Simple but Powerful Solution
BIOBOOSTER 1T™ is a simple but powerful solution for replenishing compromised septic systems after chemical shock and continuing a healthy maintenance routine going forward. Contact Bionetix® to learn more about BIOBOOSTER 1T™ and other septic maintenance treatments:
https://www.bionetix-international.com/contact-us/

Keywords: inefficient septic systems, septic tanks, natural biodegradation processes, waste digestion, septic system problems, septic tank odors, septic system maintenance, Bionetix, reduce sludge, reduce septic tank pumping frequency

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NEWS ALERT: Understanding How Temperatures Affect Coatings for Optimal Results

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Painting is an art—not only when painting fine portraits and landscapes, but also when doing industrial coating activities. So many issues factor into how a coating will perform that often only years of experience can fully prepare a painter to do the job right every time. However, to achieve best results, there are general principles that everyone can learn from, including a basic understanding of how temperatures affect coatings.

When Is It Too Cold to Paint?
In temperate climates, it is especially important to know when it is too cold to paint. For best results, Cortec® recommends painting with Cortec® anticorrosion coatings only when the temperatures remain above 45-55 °F (7-13 °C) overnight. This is because, especially for water-based coatings, paint will not form a good film if its water or solvents do not evaporate quickly enough. At worst, when temperatures drop below freezing, the coating could simply freeze and then run off when the spring thaw melts the coating.

When Is It Too Hot to Paint?
Although it is more difficult to reach a temperature at which it is too hot to paint, this can also happen. Often, it is when a metal part or structure has heated up
(e.g., to 110 °F [43 °C]) from sitting outside in hot weather and is painted with spray equipment. If the metal is hot enough to dry the coating before it has time to level out, the coating will have a pebble finish due to all the individual paint droplets drying in place.

Force dry coatings are a little different. These are specifically designed to dry at high temperatures in a coating oven. The problem arises when there is not enough “flash” time between when the coating is sprayed onto the part and the time it goes into the oven. The coating needs several minutes for the solvent and water to evaporate beforehand. Otherwise, the water can effectively start to boil, causing the coating to blister as it goes through the oven at a high temperature. This problem is easily solved by allowing the right amount of “flash” time before force drying.

Make the Most of Your Anticorrosion Coating
One of the most basic steps to ensure a coating turns out right is to paint at the right temperature. This is no less important for achieving optimal results with
Cortec® Micro-Corrosion Inhibiting Coatings™. Understanding the “why” behind temperature recommendations as explained above helps make the decision
more intuitive. Contact Cortec® Coatings for further assistance or to choose an anticorrosion coating for your application:
https://www.corteccoatings.com/contact-us-2/

Keywords: how temperatures affect coatings, when is it too cold to paint, anticorrosion coatings, when is it too hot to paint, Cortec, corrosion inhibiting coatings, Cortec Coatings, force dry coatings, painting in hot weather, coating blistering

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NEWS ALERT: Metal Cleaning and Flash Corrosion Protection Made Easy for Low Foam Applications

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June 21, 2022

When cleaning or degreasing metals, it is important to choose a cleaning fluid that guards against flash rust. It is also important to consider the method of cleaning, since high pressure and high agitation can create a foaming mess. To address both concerns, Cortec® Corporation offers VpCI®-418 LM, a non-foaming alkaline cleaner with flash rust protection.

Preventing Flash Rust on Freshly Cleaned Metal

Metals are especially susceptible to flash corrosion after cleaning, which is why Cortec® has developed VpCI®-41x series cleaners/degreasers that contain flash rust inhibitors. These corrosion inhibitors are ideal for protecting metals that cannot be immediately coated. Other common uses include dual cleaning/corrosion protection of the following:

  • Machinery, engine blocks, or forgings coated with grease or oil deposits
  • Plate, sheet metal, and metal castings covered with oily films prior to painting or pickling
  • Metal parts contaminated with stamping, drawing, or buffing compounds
  • Metal structures

Overcoming Foam Problems in Parts Washers

When cleaning the items mentioned above, foam is usually associated with a better cleaning experience. That changes with parts washers, where high agitation creates excess foam that could overflow out of the machine and onto the floor. Pressure washing and power washing can have similar problems. VpCI®-418 LM is good for both applications because it is non-foaming and performs best with mechanical action. VpCI®-418 LM can be used on a variety of metals (carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, galvanized steel, brass [30% Zn], copper) and may be used at different dosages for light, medium, or heavy-duty cleaning.

Next time you need to clean metal parts or structures in a high agitation environment, remember to take advantage of the flash rust corrosion protection and non-foaming aspects of VpCI®-418 LM. Contact Cortec® to learn more about our portfolio of flash rust inhibiting cleaners/degreasers: https://www.cortecvci.com/contact-us/

Keywords: metal cleaning, flash corrosion protection, corrosion protection, cleaning and degreasing metals, flash rust protection, rust inhibiting cleaners, foam problems in parts washers, preventing flash rust, Cortec, VpCI

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NEWS ALERT: Formulating with Cortec® Coating Additives? Keep Foam Out of the Equation!

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Cortec® offers a variety of VpCI® additives that formulators can use to boost the corrosion protection and salt spray performance of their own coatings. These additives are typically used at a much lower dose than others and are clean and efficient to add. However, the entire benefit of using a VpCI® additive is undermined when too much foam causes defects like pinholes, craters, and curtains. It is therefore imperative to know when a defoamer is needed to avoid these problems.

What Kind of Coating Are You Formulating?

The first sign that you will probably need a defoamer is when you are formulating a water-based coating. While water-based coatings often have important environmental and worker advantages, such as low VOC and easy cleanup, they almost always need a defoamer. This is less common in solvent-based coatings.

What Is the Target Application Method?

Another factor to consider is the expected method of coating application. Spray application is less likely to cause foaming problems, while vacuum coaters are notorious for creating “milk shakes”—paint with more foam than you know what to do with. Flow coaters also have the tendency to create “curtains” where entire strips of metal remain uncoated because an air bubble blocked the paint from flowing underneath that spot.

What Else Will You Be Adding to the Coating?

Coatings can contain dozens of different ingredients—each with a specific purpose—and can vary significantly from one formula to another. This means the defoamer that works for one coating may not work for another. For example, sometimes silicone defoamers may actually cause pinholes or craters due to how they interact with the other ingredients.

How to Choose the Best Defoamer

The best way to avoid foam and ensure that your Cortec® enhanced coating is a success is to talk with your defoamer supplier. Discuss the characteristics and target application of your new VpCI®-powered formula. Then try the recommended defoamers by adding them to the coating and doing a shake test or running them through a blender to see which one is best at reducing foam. It is also a good idea to apply the coating to metal to see how the finish is.

Maximize the Success of Your New Anticorrosion Coating

When you choose a Cortec® additive, the purpose is to make your coating perform better. One of the last things you want to happen is to have the coating fail because of too much foam. Next time you add a Cortec® VpCI® additive to your formulation, be sure to include a defoamer in the discussion to maximize the success of your new anticorrosion coating. Contact Cortec® for more advice on formulating coatings with VpCI® additives here: https://www.cortecadditives.com/contact-us/

Keywords: Cortec Coatings, coating additives, corrosion protection, salt spray performance, low VOC, water-based coating defoamer, silicone defoamers, how to choose the best defoamer, make your coating perform better, anticorrosion coating

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