Protective coating applied to nuclear facilities and testing methods of paints

A large amount of paint is used for the coating of RI-handling facilities, such as nuclear power stations. Primary purposes of painting work are to obtain high degrees of anti-contamination and decontamination properties to radioactive substances. There are of course the requirements from rust prevention and ornament, as in ordinary buildings. However, due consideration must be taken in respect of the durability under radiation and the resistance to high temperature and high pressure assuming the occurrence of accidents. The following matters are described: practice of painting in nuclear power stations; specifications of the paintings for buildings and machinery and equipments; problems in painting work; the methods of choosing paints including the tests on anti-contamination and decontamination properties, and the kinds of paints and evaluation of their decontamination property; and problems in choosing methods. (Mori, K.)