LSSR - Liquid Soluble Salt Remediation System
LSSR – Liquid Soluble Salt Remover
Engineered Surface Decontamination Technology
Advanced Soluble Salt Removal System for Long-Term Protective Coating Performance
Engineering Overview
Successful corrosion protection begins long before the first primer is applied.
Numerous independent coating failure investigations have demonstrated that surface contamination—not coating quality—is one of the leading causes of premature coating failure. While visible rust, mill scale and previous coatings receive considerable attention during surface preparation, invisible soluble salt contamination often remains trapped within the steel surface profile.
These contaminants continue attracting moisture long after coating application, resulting in osmotic blistering, under-film corrosion, flash rusting and significantly reduced coating service life.
LSSR (Liquid Soluble Salt Remover) is an advanced surface decontamination technology engineered to chemically dissolve, mobilize and remove invisible soluble salt contamination prior to coating application, enabling protective coating systems to achieve their intended performance and design life.
The Hidden Cause of Premature Coating Failure
Soluble salts—including chlorides, sulphates and nitrates—cannot normally be detected by visual inspection.
These contaminants originate from:
- Marine environments
- Offshore installations
- Industrial fallout
- Chemical processing facilities
- Atmospheric contamination
- Previous service exposure
- Coastal infrastructure
Even after abrasive blasting, these salts frequently remain trapped within the anchor profile of the steel surface.
When protective coatings are applied over contaminated substrates, the remaining salts attract moisture through osmotic action, leading to:
- Osmotic blistering
- Flash rusting
- Under-film corrosion
- Coating delamination
- Cathodic disbondment
- Premature coating failure
- Increased maintenance costs
This is why international protective coating standards increasingly recognize soluble salt testing and decontamination as essential components of modern surface engineering.
Engineering Solution
LSSR has been specifically engineered to chemically dissolve, mobilize and remove embedded soluble salt contamination from steel and concrete surfaces before protective coating application.
Unlike conventional water washing or abrasive blasting alone, LSSR breaks the bond between soluble salt contaminants and the substrate, allowing chlorides, sulphates and nitrates to be completely flushed from the surface during final rinsing.
The result is a clean, residue-free substrate prepared to maximize coating adhesion and long-term corrosion protection.
Engineering Performance
When incorporated into professional surface preparation programmes, LSSR assists contractors, engineers and asset owners by providing:
- Effective removal of chlorides, sulphates and nitrates
- Improved coating adhesion
- Reduced risk of osmotic blistering
- Reduced flash rusting
- Reduced under-film corrosion
- Increased coating service life
- Improved long-term corrosion protection
- Lower life-cycle maintenance costs
Independent laboratory analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) has confirmed that, when applied in accordance with the recommended procedure, LSSR leaves no measurable surface residue following final rinsing.
Technology Advantages
LSSR has been engineered to integrate seamlessly into existing surface preparation operations.
Key advantages include:
- Highly concentrated formulation for economical application
- Compatible with all industrial protective coating systems
- Leaves no coating-inhibiting residues
- Biodegradable formulation
- Zero VOC
- Non-flammable
- Easy integration into existing blasting and washing operations
- No specialized application equipment required
Application & Technical Information
Packaging
20 Litre Industrial Containers
Dilution Ratio
1 : 30 with clean potable water
Suitable Application Methods
- High-pressure water washing
- Wet abrasive blasting
- Vapour blasting
- Mist blasting
- Surface pressure washing systems
Typical Engineering Applications
LSSR is recommended wherever long-term coating performance depends upon optimum substrate cleanliness.
Typical applications include:
Marine & Offshore
- Ships and marine vessels
- Offshore platforms
- Harbours and port infrastructure
- Jetties and loading facilities
Energy & Petrochemical
- Refineries
- Petrochemical plants
- Pipelines
- Storage tanks
- Cooling towers
- Power generation facilities
Mining & Heavy Industry
- Process plants
- Structural steel
- Conveyors
- Mineral processing facilities
- Coal handling plants
Infrastructure
- Bridges
- Water treatment plants
- Wastewater facilities
- Municipal infrastructure
- Industrial buildings
Recommended Application Procedure
Step 1 – Prepare the Solution
Dilute LSSR at a ratio of 1 part product to 30 parts clean potable water.
Ensure thorough mixing before application.
Step 2 – Surface Decontamination
Apply the diluted solution using high-pressure water washing, vapour blasting or wet abrasive blasting equipment.
The formulation chemically dissolves embedded soluble salts while assisting their release from the steel surface profile.
Step 3 – Final Rinse
Rinse the treated substrate thoroughly using clean potable water.
Once dry, the surface is clean, residue-free and ready for immediate coating application.
Relationship Within the PCG Asset Preservation Engineering Methodology:
Within the Polymer Coatings Group Asset Preservation Engineering Methodology, surface preparation is recognized as one of the most critical factors influencing long-term coating performance.
Protective coatings are designed to provide long-term corrosion resistance, but their effectiveness depends entirely upon the condition of the substrate to which they are applied.
LSSR forms an integral component of the PCG Surface Engineering Programme by removing invisible soluble salt contamination before coating application.
When combined with appropriate surface preparation, environmental controls, specification compliance and correctly selected coating systems, LSSR assists engineers and contractors in maximizing coating durability while reducing whole-of-life maintenance costs.
Engineering Support
Every structure presents unique contamination levels, environmental exposure and coating performance requirements.
Polymer Coatings Group provides technical support to engineers, coating inspectors, contractors and asset owners regarding:
- Soluble salt contamination assessment
- Surface preparation specifications
- Coating system compatibility
- Surface engineering methodologies
- Asset preservation strategies
- Coating life-cycle optimization
Our engineering team works with clients to develop application-specific surface preparation programmes that maximize coating performance and long-term infrastructure durability.
Important Information
LSSR is intended for professional industrial surface preparation applications.
For optimum performance, substrate contamination levels should be assessed using recognized soluble salt testing methods where specified.
The product should be applied in accordance with the recommended dilution ratios, recognized industry standards and project-specific coating specifications.
Engineering Philosophy
Protective coatings cannot outperform the surface upon which they are applied.
LSSR has been engineered to ensure that every protective coating system begins with a properly decontaminated substrate capable of delivering its full design life.
