Arcshield EP 220 Surface-Tolerant High-Build Epoxy Mastic
An aluminium and micaceous iron oxide pigmented two-pack epoxy mastic that wets and adheres to hand-prepared, power tool cleaned and marginally prepared steel, and to sound aged coatings. It is the maintenance and drydock product for work where blast cleaning is not available.
Grade Arcshield EP 220 | Range Protective and Marine Coatings | Technology High-solids two-pack epoxy mastic with aluminium and micaceous iron oxide pigment
Technical Data Sheet
Arcshield EP 220
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
An aluminium and micaceous iron oxide pigmented two-pack epoxy that wets and adheres to hand-prepared, power tool cleaned and marginally prepared steel, and to sound aged coatings. It is the maintenance and drydock product, used where blast cleaning is not available and where the alternative would be a zinc-rich system applied at reduced quality. The lamellar pigmentation lengthens the diffusion path through the film and improves resistance to moisture. It screens the binder and slows chalking between coats, but no epoxy is ultraviolet stable, so a polyurethane or polysiloxane finish is applied where appearance is part of the specification.
2. Features
- Tolerates St 2 to St 3 hand and power tool cleaned steel
- Lamellar aluminium and micaceous iron oxide pigment lengthens the moisture diffusion path
- Overcoats sound aged epoxy and alkyd coatings after adhesion and compatibility testing
- One or two coats at high build by spray, brush or roller
- Takes a polyurethane or polysiloxane finish where appearance is part of the specification
3. Recommended uses
Maintenance painting of plant, structures and ships in drydock, including galvanising, thermally sprayed metal and sound aged coatings, where blast cleaning is not practical.
Substrates. Carbon steel prepared to St 2 or St 3 to ISO 8501-1, blast cleaned steel, hot-dip galvanising after degreasing and sweep blasting or abrading with zinc salts removed, thermally sprayed metal, and sound aged epoxy or alkyd coatings after adhesion and compatibility testing on the actual surface.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | High-solids two-pack epoxy mastic with aluminium and micaceous iron oxide pigment | Formulation |
| Appearance | Aluminium-toned metallic film, low sheen | Visual, supplier protocol |
| Volume solids | Typically 70 to 80 per cent | ISO 3233-1 |
| Density, mixed product | Typically 1.3 to 1.6 kg/L | ISO 2811-1 |
| Dry film thickness per coat | Typically 125 to 200 µm | ISO 2808, ISO 19840 for blast-cleaned steel |
| Surface drying | Typically 2 to 6 h at 20 °C, slower at lower temperature | ISO 9117-3 |
| Pull-off adhesion | Typically 3 to 8 MPa on blast-cleaned steel; on hand or power tool cleaned steel and aged coatings, assessed on the actual surface | ISO 4624, ASTM D4541 |
| Neutral salt spray, complete system | Typically 480 h for C3 to 1440 h for C5 at high durability, according to the target category, with degradation rated after exposure | ISO 9227 exposure, durations set in ISO 12944-6, rated to ISO 4628-2, ISO 4628-3 and ISO 4628-8 |
| Chalking on exterior exposure | Epoxy chalks under ultraviolet light; the lamellar pigment screens the binder and slows chalking between coats | ISO 4628-6 |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Method | Airless spray, brush or roller in one or two coats, with stripe coats to edges, welds, rivets and back-to-back angles. Observe the induction time after mixing before spraying. |
| Surface preparation | St 2 or St 3 (ISO 8501-1), or Sa 2½ where blast cleaning is available. Hot-dip galvanising degreased and sweep blasted or abraded with zinc salts removed. Aged coatings cleaned, abraded and tested for adhesion and compatibility on the actual surface. Soluble salts typically 50 mg/m² or less as chloride (ISO 8502-6 with ISO 8502-9). |
| Thinning | Thinner as stated on the product data, used only where brush, roller or low-temperature application requires it. |
| Applied film thickness | Typically 125 to 200 µm dry per coat, verified to ISO 2808, or ISO 19840 on blast-cleaned steel. |
| Application conditions | Steel temperature at least 3 °C above dew point (ISO 8502-4) and relative humidity normally 85 per cent or less during application and cure. Cure slows at low temperature and the overcoating window is reduced accordingly. |
| Overcoating | A further coat of EP 220, or a polyurethane or polysiloxane finish where appearance is specified, within the overcoating window stated on the product data. |
Process. Airless spray, brush or roller, applied in one or two coats with stripe coats to edges, welds, rivets and back-to-back angles. Induction time after mixing is observed before spraying, and a reduced overcoating window applies at low temperature where cure slows.
6. Storage and handling
Store base and curing agent in their original closed containers in a dry, covered store, typically between 5 and 35 °C and out of direct sunlight. Shelf life is stated on the label and the Certificate of Analysis. Handle and use the product in line with its Safety Data Sheet.
7. Safety and regulatory information
Read the Safety Data Sheet before use. Safety Data Sheets and regulatory declarations are issued by our technical centre against the product and batch supplied, so they are sent on request rather than published. Request a Safety Data Sheet or declaration.
This Technical Data Sheet is published for on-screen reference. The information is given in good faith from laboratory and application experience and describes typical values; it is not a specification and does not replace a trial on your own substrate and line. Arctic Materials may revise this sheet without notice. Issue 2026.09.
Technical Data Sheets on this site are for on-screen viewing. For a controlled copy, write to tech@arcticmaterials.com.
Other grades in this range
Need a Safety Data Sheet, a regulatory declaration or a grade specified to your line? Contact our technical centre.