Corrosion passivation ballast tanks of bridge pontoon

In 2022, we started the passivation of 400 m3 ballast tanks of the bridge pontoon of Shipyard Reimerswaal. To treat the tanks, we used nC Corrosion Passivator – Fluid. The Fluid is a product that can be applied by roller, brush, spray or by floating.

Most of the bridge pontoon’s ballast tanks were treated by floating. Due to the use of wool grease, the Fluid floats on water, allowing even hard-to-reach areas to be treated thoroughly and quickly.

A key advantage of our nC Corrosion Passivator products, is that sandblasting and chipping are not necessary. The surface to be treated should only be free of mud, loose paint and rust.

By forming electron pairs, particles enter into a chemical bond with the metal behind the corrosion. As a result of the treatment, a color change takes place. The photo on the left (desktop) of above (mobile) clearly shows the color change of the treated steel surface in the ballast tanks. In dit case, we floated most of the tank and sprayed the tanktop, as you can see in the photo (situation before spraying the tanktop).

After floating, several welding operations took place on the outside of the pontoon. To combat corrosion in the ballast tanks, nC re-treated these areas using spot repair (spraying with Corrosion Passivator – Fluid).

For steel renewals, applying Corrosion Passivator – Cold Alloy on the edges and welds, offers a great way of protecting steel against galvanic corrosion due to potential differences.

The bridge pontoon of Shipyard Reimerswaal is again well and long-term protected against corrosive influences such as moisture, salt and oxygen.