Cortec has created the first water-borne coating to withstand a minimum of 1,000 hours of intense salt spray at super thin coverage rates.

The company’s EcoShield 386 water-borne coatings, powered by Nano VpCI, represent a breakthrough in the water-borne corrosion inhibitor coatings market.

With this coating, it is now possible to protect metal structures in extremely harsh outdoor conditions with just a very thin high gloss clear coat of EcoShield 386 that allows visual inspection of the substrate.

How the Coating Works
The unique, acrylic-based formula of the coating uses a complex mixture of nano-sized, non-toxic organic inhibitors, which Cortec says provide superior protection to traditional corrosion-inhibiting coatings.

In fact, the performance of the EcoShield 386 water-borne coatings has exceeded even the expectations of Cortec’s own ISO 17025 accredited lab, where it achieved reproducible corrosion protection results on carbon steel panels according to the ASTM B117 Standard.

“[Our] lab was amazed to see the carbon steel panels protected from the corrosive effects of continuous salt spray for days on end with only a 1 mil (25.4 micron) dry film thickness (DFT) coating of EcoShield 386 applied to the metal,” Cortec said.

Additional features, according to Cortec, are that it is fast drying and easy to work with; is applicable via spray, dip, or brushing; is resistant to sagging or running; contains a non-flammable protective barrier; can be tinted to match custom colors; can be used as a topcoat over the appropriate primer; and is ultraviolet (UV) resistant — thus discouraging cracking or chipping under extended exposure to sunlight.

The EcoShield 386 is also available in a “winterized” version for cold weather use, and it is safer and more environmentally friendly to use than hazardous solvent-based coatings, the company said.

Applications, Standards
The application possibilities around the world are numerous, including energy, oil and gas, and automotive. It is a good choice where long-term corrosion protection with UV defense is required, especially in harsh marine conditions exposed to extreme salt spray.

The EcoShield 386 conforms to many industry standards, including ASTM B-117 Salt Spray, ASTM D-1748 Humidity, ASTM D-3359 Adhesion, ASTM D-522 Flexibility, ASTM D-532 Gloss, ASTM D-3960 VOC, ASTM D-3363 Pencil Hardness, ASTM D-3363 Pencil Hardness, and NACE RP0487-2000 – Selection of Rust Preventives.

For more information, contact: Cortec, (800) 426-7832, www.corteccoatings.com