When you're working with metal fabrication on lathes and CNC machines, keeping things cool is essential for reducing friction and heat damage. Depending on the scale of your operation, this may also mean that you need to install water tanks for sufficient supply. With water tanks comes the risk of corrosion if the tanks aren't properly treated. Here's a look at what you need to know about corrosion control in your water storage tanks.

What Exactly Is Corrosion?

To effectively prevent corrosion from happening, you need to understand what it is. It is the iron oxide conversion created when metal releases electrons that interact with oxygen. The presence of those electrons, oxygen and an electrolyte will lead to corrosion. It happens often in untreated water tanks because water is highly conductive, which provides a path for the electrons to travel more easily.

How Do You Use Coatings to Prevent Corrosion?

Protection starts with a coating on the inside and outside of the tank. You may find that you want a different coating on the inside than the outside, particularly if you have concerns about any high mineral content in the water that could increase the rate of corrosion or environmental factors, like high humidity, that could affect the outside of the tank.

Polyurethanes are a versatile option that can be used in both the inside and the outside of the tank because they come in many different varieties. Acrylic coatings are water-based, strong coatings typically used on tank exteriors. You can also opt for a polymer for the tank exterior if you're looking for something that has added protections or longer durability. For inside-only coatings, consider an epoxy crafted specifically for volatile organic compound protection as well as water quality preservation.

How Do You Use Cathodes To Prevent Corrosion?

In addition to the coating, you may want to also add an extra layer of protection against corrosion inside the tank. Cathodic bars serve as a corrosive target that's placed inside the tank. It draws the corrosion, which keeps it from affecting the inside of the tank. In other cases, a cathode rod is connected to a DC current that interferes with the actual corrosion process.

The last thing you need is flakes of rust clogging up your water jet cooling system during a busy production run. With tips like these, you can prevent corrosion and rust build-up inside your water tanks. Talk with a local tank coating contractor about more tips for combating these problems.