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Coating for stainless 304 - where hydrochloric acid fumes are present

We are quoting an oven constructed of #3 finish 304 stainless steel. Customer has asked if there is a protective clear coating that we can spray on the exterior portion of the oven. Customer has a hydrochloric acid environment in the next room where our oven is being installed and they are worried over time the oven will deteriorate. We are looking at spraying thin gauge metal only. Is there a coating that exists?

Dave Reim
Tech Resources, Inc. - Columbus, Ohio

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Many urethanes are chemically resistant to acids. We have had success coating 304 ss with teflon (PTFE) to prevent attack from chlorine liquid/gas. Since you do not state the size of the oven, we assume it cannot be bake cured so PTFE's may not be suitable. A good two part urethane spray applied over the stainless should protect it as long as you get good adhesion on the stainless. (Preferable to have blasted finish, or really clean brush finish)

Wayne McKee
- Mississauga, Ont., Canada