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Recommendation: Boron Nitride Hardcoat®
Boron Nitride HARDCOAT® (our unique coating with high hardness/abrasion-resistance) is the product of first choice because of the high wear and abuse experienced with this area-of-use. In addition to providing Teflon®-like release, BN HARDCOAT® saves money since the coating lasts about 7 times longer than the traditional coatings. Also, HARDCOAT® is less expensive to use since coverage is much better: about 1 gallon of HARDCOAT® replaces 20 gallons of traditional paints. Also, because of the Teflon®-like release, dross build-up is eliminated allowing for cleaner pours and the elimination of mispours.
BORON NITRIDE LUBRICOAT®-ZV is an alternative coating to BN-HARDCOAT®; the "ZV" still provides good abrasion-resistance, while also providing somewhat better nonwetting performance. And both HARDCOAT® and "ZV" are pH basic/alkaline -- which makes them good for applying to plain-carbon steel and cast-iron ladles.
BN LUBRICOAT® or LUBRICOAT-Blue® is sometimes used because of having superior Teflon®-like release properties; but, of course, the coating must be maintained more often; and the acidic pH (like lemon juice) of the coatings makes them more suitable for stainless than for plain-steel/cast-iron ladles.
Coating Maintenance Guide
The #1 complaint of all ladle users is "burn-through" of the ladles. This is caused by a break-down of the coating. Ladle life can be extended to years rather than days if proper coating maintenance is performed- but few shops will do this. This decision not to maintain ladles comes at a cost in lost ladles that far exceeds any cost associated with maintenance.
To maintain, pull the ladles from service when dross/skin begins to adhere tightly to the ladle. Strip the ladle of old coating and recoat using standard methods as described in PAINTING INSTRUCTION GUIDE .
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