OFFSHORE CORROSION PROTECTION THAT PERFORMS
Highland Electroplaters has recently completed a specialised coating project for a heavy-duty industrial lifting plate, applying Black Xylan® to deliver exceptional protection in one of the most demanding applications in offshore oil and gas operations.
This project exemplifies how advanced coating technology addresses the unique challenges faced by lifting and hoisting equipment in harsh marine environments.
THE CHALLENGE: PROTECTING CRITICAL LIFTING EQUIPMENT
Industrial lifting plates are the unsung heroes of offshore operations. These components bear enormous loads, facilitate equipment installation, and enable maintenance activities across platforms, vessels, and subsea installations. Yet they face a perfect storm of degradation mechanisms:
- Saltwater exposure causing rapid corrosion
- Atmospheric contaminants in marine environments
- Mechanical wear at contact and connection points
- Galling and seizing from repeated load cycles
- UV degradation and temperature extremes
Traditional coatings often fail to provide the combination of corrosion resistance, wear protection, and anti-galling properties that lifting equipment demands. When a lifting plate fails, the consequences extend beyond replacement costs — operational delays, safety risks, and potential equipment damage all escalate rapidly.
THE SOLUTION: BLACK XYLAN® FLUOROPOLYMER COATING
For this project, Highland Electroplaters applied Black Xylan® — a high-performance fluoropolymer coating renowned for its exceptional combination of properties in industrial applications.
Xylan® coatings, developed by Whitford Worldwide, are dry-film lubricants that combine the corrosion resistance of fluoropolymers with the wear resistance of engineering polymers. The result is a coating system that addresses multiple failure modes simultaneously.
KEY BENEFITS OF BLACK XYLAN® FOR LIFTING EQUIPMENT
- SUPERIOR CORROSION PROTECTION IN HARSH ENVIRONMENTS
Black Xylan® forms a continuous, non-porous barrier that prevents moisture and corrosive agents from reaching the substrate. In offshore environments where salt spray, humidity, and atmospheric pollutants converge, this protection is essential.
The coating maintains its integrity across the temperature range encountered in North Sea operations, from sub-zero winter conditions to summer heat. Unlike conventional paints that degrade under UV exposure, Xylan® retains its protective properties for years.
- EXTENDED SERVICE LIFE
The durability of Xylan® coatings significantly extends the operational life of coated components. Where unprotected or poorly protected lifting plates might require replacement every few years, Xylan®-coated equipment can remain in service for extended periods.
This longevity translates directly into cost savings. Reduced replacement frequency means:
- Lower capital expenditure on spare equipment
- Reduced inventory carrying costs
- Less procurement and logistics overhead
- Fewer disposal and environmental compliance costs
- REDUCED MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Maintenance in offshore environments is expensive and logistically challenging. Every intervention requires personnel, transportation, accommodation, and careful coordination with operational schedules.
Xylan® coatings reduce the maintenance burden by providing long-term protection without the need for regular recoating. The coating’s self-lubricating properties also mean that moving parts and contact surfaces operate smoothly without frequent lubrication or adjustment.
- WEAR RESISTANCE AT CONTACT POINTS
Lifting plates experience significant mechanical wear at contact points where they interface with shackles, hooks, lifting eyes, and other hardware. Traditional coatings often fail at these high-stress locations, exposing bare metal to corrosion.
Xylan® provides excellent wear resistance, maintaining its protective film even under mechanical loading and repeated contact cycles. This is particularly important for lifting plates that see frequent use in platform maintenance and equipment installation activities.
- ANTI-GALLING PROTECTION DURING REPEATED LIFTS
Galling — the adhesive wear that occurs when metal surfaces seize under load — is a common failure mode in lifting equipment. When galling occurs, components can become impossible to disconnect without cutting or damaging the hardware.
Black Xylan® provides anti-galling properties that prevent metal-to-metal contact between the lifting plate and connected hardware. This ensures that lifting operations can proceed smoothly, and that equipment can be disconnected safely after use — even after extended periods under load.
THE HIGHLAND ELECTROPLATERS ADVANTAGE
As an Aberdeen-based specialist in industrial coatings, Highland Electroplaters brings unique advantages to offshore coating projects:
Oil & Gas Sector Expertise
Located in the heart of the UK’s energy industry, we understand the specific requirements and standards that govern offshore equipment. Our BSI ISO 9001:2015 certification (FS45868) ensures consistent quality and full traceability.
Certified Coating Applicator
We are a Whitford Recommended Coater, qualified to apply Xylan® coatings to manufacturer specifications. This certification ensures that coating processes, thicknesses, and curing parameters meet the standards required for warranty protection and optimal performance.
Technical Capabilities
Our facility can handle components ranging from small precision parts to large fabrications. With 30-tonne capacity and comprehensive surface preparation equipment, we can process the full range of lifting equipment used in offshore operations.
Rapid Turnaround
We understand that offshore maintenance schedules are tightly coordinated. Our responsive service and Aberdeen location enable quick turnaround for time-critical projects.
APPLICATIONS BEYOND LIFTING PLATES
While this project focused on a heavy-duty lifting plate, the benefits of Black Xylan® extend to numerous offshore components:
- Fasteners and bolting systems
- Valve components and actuators
- Pump housings and impellers
- Flange faces and gaskets
- Structural connection points
- Subsea equipment housings
- Safety-critical hardware
THE BOTTOM LINE
For offshore operators, equipment reliability directly impacts operational efficiency and safety. Black Xylan® coating provides a proven solution for protecting critical lifting equipment in the world’s most demanding environments.
By combining superior corrosion resistance, extended service life, reduced maintenance requirements, wear resistance, and anti-galling protection, Xylan® delivers value that far exceeds its initial application cost.
Highland Electroplaters’ expertise in applying these advanced coatings ensures that your equipment receives the protection it needs to perform reliably, year after year, in the harsh realities of offshore operations.
NEED CORROSION PROTECTION FOR YOUR CRITICAL COMPONENTS?
Highland Electroplaters provides specialist coating services for oil and gas, aerospace, and industrial applications from our Aberdeen facility.
📞 Phone: +44 (0) 1224 725 581
✉️ Email: sales@hiplaters.co.uk
📍 Highland Electroplaters Ltd
Unit 2, Phase 4, Howe Moss Drive
Dyce, Aberdeen AB21 0GL
Scotland