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Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive by Ron Joseph February, 2004 CARC Resistance to Simulant Agent Q. We are currently researching coatings that will withstand not only the washdown/bleach procedures used for decontamination but also that will stand up to the simulant agent itself. We have thought of CARC however I have found that this may only resist decon on not necessarily the sumlant. We are using a simulant called Methyl Salicylate, MeS (Benzoic Acid, 2-hydroxy-, Methyl Ester). This is commonly called oil of wintogreen (formula: 2-HOC6H4COOCH3). This is to be used in a laboratory environment where it would be cost prohibitive to construct entirely of Stainless steel and we would like to coat sheet aluminum. As this site is used for ongoing tests, the coating must also not absorb concentrations of the MeS or at least completely removed (decon), therefore no residual background concentrations. Is it possible to make any recommendations on suitable materials/coating types from looking at the chemical make-up of the simulant? Are there any known suitable coatings for this application? A. Thanks for your interesting question. Unfortunately, I don't have an immediate
answer for you as I'm not familiar with MeS. CARC is a polyurethane but has
both camouflage and ultra-low gloss properties. Since you haven't mentioned
the necessity for either, have you considered using a high gloss polyurethane
that might have better chemical resistance than its lusterless cousin? |