(The author, Joe Cucci, is the CEO of Corrosion Solutions Unlimited)

Polymer coating technologies (alkyd oils, epoxies, urethanes…) have long been the standard choice for providing corrosion protection to steel and concrete structures We would like to change that concept by categorizing EonCoat® Flexible Ceramic Coating as a Surface Engineered Treatment.

Surface treatments like, thermal spraying, plating, and laser alloying are usually not a viable option for large scale applications. The size of the articles and transportation costs makes most surface treatments impractical as large objects, like tanks, cannot easily be transported to a new site. And as we know, surface treatments, like thermal spraying cannot be field applied.

Galvanizing (Zinc) has proven toxic in the welding process, has a toxic chemical reaction with organics (highly problematic for food industry), and the waste water is strictly monitored at the process site.

This is why EonCoat has been accepted as the new standard and is the more “sustainable choice.”

EonCoat Alloys the surface of the steel 20 Microns deep, in the range of a gold plated ring.

EonCoat’s regimen of testing has demonstrated this alloyed passivation layer is amorphous (continuous), permanently separating the steel surface from corrosion promoting elements in the atmosphere. EonCoat will protect the steel beyond that of a polymer coating as alloying the surface is more effective than coating it. With an alloyed surface, there is no “green-house effect” or spot migration. Because the coating cannot peel away from the surface, it’s not possible for water to get trapped under the coating. And repeated tests have shown that with EonCoat, there is no spot migration, meaning that a spot of rust will not grow and spread.

This alloyed layer is protected by a chemically bonded inorganic ceramic. Because EonCoat does not have carbon atoms and is totally inorganic, it lasts longer. It ages much slower than organic materials, and does not break down the way carbon atoms do. Because it’s an inorganic, there is no off-gassing or noxious fume released as a result of grinding or cutting steel coated with EonCoat making it much safer for workers, especially those working in confined spaces.

Typically self- fired ceramics fall short on impact and aesthetics as compared to polymers, but good wear resistance, fireproofing and zero flame spread ceramics provide needed benefits. As a paint ready surface, EonCoat®, a one-coat primer/finish, can be top coated with any color or gloss to satisfy your needs, allowing you to get the look you desire with the durability and fireproofing needed.

EonCoat has put its product to the test in accredited labs and testing facilities and backs its performance with a 5 year warranty.

Eco-Friendly Surface Engineering, EonCoat’s paving the way with Self-Fired Ceramics!

Joe Cucci
Corrosion Solutions Unlimited

Folks are constantly asking if we can apply EonCoat to foam (expanded polystyrene foam insulation).

While EonCoat will not bond chemically to polymers like it does to cement, steel and wood it will bond mechanically the way other coatings do to surfaces that are rough.

The short answer is that you can apply EonCoat to EPS and many folks do:

Doing so produces a rock hard shell that offers zero flame spread and provides a significant heat transfer barrier as well that keeps the foam from melting on the other side of the coating for quite some time when exposed to flame.

The more complicated answer comes when we’re asked if this makes a fireproof barrier:

While EonCoat is completely fireproof (it will not burn) and provides a flame proof barrier – no coating prevents heat transfer (although they do slow it down). If the flame is hot enough eventually enough heat will pass through to cause the EPS to melt. This same principle applies to other substrates (like wood) that do not melt but will self-ignite when the heat transfer is sufficient to raise the temperature to the temperature at which that material ignites on its own without the need for flame spread.

Heat transfer is a function of the outside temperature, coefficient of heat transfer of the barrier material (EonCoat is .2 watts/Meter-Kelvin) and length (or in this case thickness of the coating). Increasing the thickness of the coating has a linear impact on the time it takes for the substrate on the other side of the barrier to either melt or self-ignite.

So if you build houses out of Structural Insulated Panels that use EPS applying the proper thickness of EonCoat can give you the fire resistance you need to meet building codes as well as give your customer a hard shell wall and a safer place to live. It will also provide a completely Zero Off-Gas barrier which greatly increases safety. No other coating is completely non-toxic the way EonCoat is.

An added benefit is that the EonCoat barrier also eliminates mold growth.