MIL-HDBK-1110
Section 1:
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Purpose. This handbook presents information on the
effective use of paint-type coatings to protect metal, concrete,
and wooden structures at military activities from deterioration.
In this handbook, the words "paint" and "coating" are used
interchangeably. Sometimes, the word "paint" is used to describe
an architectural rather than protective material, but this is not
the case in this handbook.
1.2
Scope. This handbook covers virtually all aspects of
coating fixed structures. These include surface preparation for
painting; selection, application, and inspection of coatings for
both original and maintenance painting; quality control methods
and equipment; and painting different substrates and facilities.
It does not cover painting of ships, aircraft, or motor vehicles.
The coatings covered are limited to organic paint-type materials,
with a few exceptions. Inorganic zinc, thermal spray metal, and
powder coatings are included, because they are most commonly used
as alternatives to conventional organic coatings and, like
organic coatings, are usually applied by spray.
1.3
Deterioration of Facilities. The main purpose of
painting military facilities is to protect them from
deterioration. These structures comprise a vital resource in the
defense of our nation. They must be kept in a state of
operational readiness by efficient use of the limited funds
available for this purpose. Unfortunately, these facilities are
frequently subject to environments and uses that accelerate their
natural deterioration and require costly repairs and maintenance.
Metals corrode in aggressive soil, industrial or chemical
atmospheres, or immersion environments; woods swell, warp, and
crack during weathering; concrete and masonry structures crack
and spall in severe environments; and organic polymeric materials
suffer degradation in sunlight. To adequately meet the
challenges of protecting constructed facilities, it is necessary
to have a general understanding of the common ways in which
materials deteriorate and the procedures used to control the
deterioration.
1.3.1
Corrosion of Metals. Metals corrode because they exist
in chemically unstable states. Thus, iron ore is a corrosion
product in its natural, stable state. Energy must be used in
blast furnaces to reduce iron to its metallic state. Iron and
steel products are then slowly oxidized by corrosion to their
previous stable lower energy states. Four conditions must be
present for corrosion to occur:
a)
Anodic areas where corrosion occurs
1
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