A new solvent-free super high build epoxy coating evaluated by marine corrosion simulation apparatus

Coal tar epoxy and epoxy asphalt coating have been widely used to protect marine constructions conventionally. However, their use is being restricted for increasing environmental concerns. Therefore, solvent-free coating, i.e., coating without volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or hazardous air pollutant has become a new focus. Meanwhile, super high build (SHB) coating, having good anti-corrosion performance and environment-friendly feature, has become an important area of development in heavy-duty protection to marine constructions. Herein, we combine the virtues of solvent-free and SHB coating to introduce a new solvent-free SHB heavy-duty epoxy coating with no organic solvent and extremely low VOC content. Results show that the new coating is environment-friendly, and has excellent physical properties and anti-corrosion performance. The SHB coating performed much better than other three widely used coatings, especially in splash zone, the most dynamic area. The new solvent-free SHB coating provides an ideal substitute to coal tar epoxy and epoxy asphalt coating and is expected to be widely used for anti-corrosion of steel structures in splash, tidal, and immersed zones.