Ph.D., Corrosion Science, University of Melbourne
Rob Francis has 40 years’ experience in the corrosion and coatings fields, with emphasis on steelwork in atmospheric and marine environments, as well as ferrous metals, technical training and quality assurance.
As an international leader and educator, Rob has authored and co-authored more than 40 technical papers and conference presentations in Australia and overseas, from 1978 to the present. He served as editor of two ACA publications, "Sixty Years of Inorganic Zinc Coatings", and "Inorganic Zinc Coatings". In 2009, the ACA granted him its Best Review award for a paper comparing AS/NZS 2312 to ISO 12944.
In his role as a corrosion and coatings consultant with Aurecon Materials Technology Group, Rob has prepared specifications for Brisbane International Airport expansion, desalination plant proposals, water tank projects, a water pipeline and several bridge refurbishment projects in Melbourne. He also performs failure analysis investigations.From edge treatment to salt removal, the requirements for applying single-coat inorganic zinc silicate (IOZ) coatings are not difficult for specification writers,...
A world-class corrosion expert discusses the 'gold standard' coating system for proven corrosion protection and color resilience—the key issues that affect coating...
A case study showing some of the technical issues and problems that can arise in modern steel and concrete structures, including hydrogen embrittlement of fasteners and...
Paints must be applied to surfaces that are entirely free from rust and other contamination. This may not be possible in some situations, so treatments have been...
Properly applied, a single-coat inorganic zinc silicate (IZS) coating provides one of the most durable and cost-effective coating systems available will provide many...
The seemingly simple question of “When is a paint dry?” may appear as exciting as watching paint dry, but in fact shows some complications that can arise with...
A leading corrosion expert provides a technical overview of changes to coating standard AS/NZS 2312, covering coating selection, comparisons to ISO 12944 series,...
A renowned corrosion expert provides a technical overview of changes to AS/NZS 2312.1:2014 'Guide to the protection of structural steel against atmospheric corrosion by...