Millennium Dome masts stand out on Kemira coatings

Citation

(1998), "Millennium Dome masts stand out on Kemira coatings", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 45 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.1998.12845eab.009

Millennium Dome masts stand out on Kemira coatings

Methods

Millennium Dome masts stand out on Kemira coatings

Keywords Coatings, Kemira, Paints, Steel

The 12 bright yellow 90m masts which will support the Millennium Dome and already dominate the Greenwich skyline are decorated and protected by Kemira heavy duty coatings (Plate 4). The 1,300 tonnes of elegant double tapered masts, together with 70km of cable and the 50m high, 320m diameter domed coverings will form the largest tensile structure in the world, more than twice the size of the current record holder. The client is the New Millennium Experience Company.

Buro Happold's basic design embodies big box section hoops welded to the main longitudinal tubes, built in sections 15m long and up to 4m in diameter. The £10m steelwork contract was won by constructional engineers Watson Steel Ltd (Bolton), responsible for the complete process of fabrication, painting, the welding together of section on site, and erection. They determined the general dimensions of components, modified the design of the bearing to the support pyramids, and also designed the connection for the 29 cables attached to each masthead and the 18 at each base.

"We chose Kemira coatings because we have recently used similar systems from them on a number of high profile external steel structures, including Bolton Wanderers' new stand," said Ray Peters of Watson Steel. "We trust the paints. They are extremely competitive on price and offer exceptionally high performance, with remarkable UV and chemical resistance.

"The particular four-coat system used also made it possible to slot the painting into a very tight production schedule. We had a 19 week offsite programme including eight weeks for tube delivery, which meant producing a minimum of one mast a week. All painting was carried out within this period, except for the final coat of some vulnerable areas at the bottom ends which will not be completed until all other trades have finished work."

Plate 4 The 12 bright yellow 90m masts which support the Millennium Dome at Greenwich are decorated and protected by Kemira heavy duty coatings

The first coat was Temazinc 99, a two component high build epoxy zinc rich primer, producing a matt dried film of 75 microns with 90 per cent zinc. This was overcoated with 85 microns of Temashield EPB 112, a two component epoxy with selected micaceous iron ore. Like the primer, this conforms to BS 5493 in both content and performance and is EPA Compliant 1996.

The third coat was a further 85 microns ofTemashield ERV, a two component resin modified epoxy recoatable intermediate/finish, again EPA Compliant 1996.

While itself available in BS 4800 and RAL colours, at Greenwich it has been overcoated with Temathane PLV, a two component recoatable aliphatic polyurethane finish in the 08.E. 51 yellow specified by the architects, the Richard Rogers Partnership. Indefinitely recoatable, with excellent high gloss and gloss retention, this is an extremely tough, durable finish, highly resistant to chemicals, solvents, abrasion and weathering and EPA Compliant 1998.

Following on-site welding of sections, all damaged areas were blasted and fully reinstated. Minor damage during erection was rectified at high level by Watson's own team of abseilers.

Corrosion protection of Transco's gas holder number 4, at Rochdale, Lancashire, has been carried out with environmentally-friendly Kemira heavy duty coatings (Plate 5).

The traditional column lift holder, with 21 columns, four lifts and a crown, presented a total painting area of 7,800sq.m. All paint had to be brushed on to avoid spraying cars in the car park, according to Jim Fox of the contractors, the Engineering Services, Coating Division of Weir Engineering Ltd, Heysham. "Transco also insisted on an EPA Compliant system that was both user-friendly and presented no risk to the environment", he added.

Plate 5 A section of the Transco gas holder No. 4 at Rochdale, Lancashire which has been corrosion protected with Kemira heavy duty coatings

The first coat was of Temaprime MPH 550, a single pack, high build, tung oil modified alkyd zinc phosphate primer. Lead free and rust inhibiting, it claims excellent protection for steel structures, with high film build and good flow for easy application. It is reported to comply fully in content and performance to British Gas Specification PA9.

This was overcoated with Temaqua WBM, a single pack water based micaceous iron ore paint, followed by Temaqua AWV, a single pack water based acrylic high performance finish. Both possess a very low odour and are said to be particularly useful in restricted areas where other activities can continue while painting is in progress. They can reportedly be applied over other Temaqua products or solvent based products on a wide range of substrates, and a complete Temaqua system can be applied in one day.

Temaqua AWV dries to an attractive mid sheen finish and is available in any BS4800/ RAL colour. The Rochdale gas holder employed both 08.B.29 dark brown and 08.C.35, biscuit-colour.

Further details can be obtained from Kemira Coatings Limited. Heavy Duty Division. Tel: +44(0)161 764 6017 Fax: +44(0)161 764 6102.