Arcdip CE 220 Cathodic Epoxy Electrocoat Primer
Arcdip CE 220 is the standard cathodic epoxy electrocoat primer for corrosion priming of pretreated steel on a tank held on one colour and run continuously. The film insulates as it builds, so deposition self-limits and continues into seams, flanges and box sections after the outer surfaces have coated.
Grade Arcdip CE 220 | Range Electrocoat | Technology Waterborne cathodic epoxy electrocoat, acid-solubilised resin emulsion with pigment paste
Technical Data Sheet
Arcdip CE 220
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
The standard cathodic epoxy corrosion primer for a tank held on one colour and run continuously. Deposition self-limits as the film insulates the surface, so build evens out across open faces and continues into seams, flanges and box sections after the outer surfaces have coated. It is the reference grade in the subfamily: CE 340 is chosen over it only where throw into cavities or film build on the open surface is the governing requirement.
2. Features
- Reference grade of the Arcdip CE cathodic epoxy subfamily
- Self-limiting deposition evens out build across open faces
- Coats seams, flanges and box sections that are accessible and drain freely
- Deposited at the cathode, so no metal dissolves from the part into the film
- Supplied as resin emulsion and pigment paste feeds for continuous replenishment
3. Recommended uses
Corrosion primer for pretreated steel fabrications, castings and galvanised steel parts in high volume repeat production, normally beneath a liquid or powder topcoat. Also used as the finish on parts that are not exposed to sunlight, since epoxy binders chalk and lose gloss outdoors.
Substrates. Zinc phosphated cold rolled steel, hot rolled and pickled steel, hot dip and electrogalvanised steel, and steel fabrications and castings that hang in reliable electrical contact and drain freely. Closed cavities need access and drain holes or the bath cannot reach them.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Waterborne cathodic epoxy electrocoat, acid-solubilised resin emulsion with pigment paste | Formulation |
| Supply form | Resin emulsion and pigment paste feeds, with the solubilising acid and correction additives the operating tank consumes | Visual inspection |
| Bath non-volatile content | 18 to 22 per cent by weight | ISO 3251 |
| Bath pH | 5.5 to 6.3 | ISO 19396-1 |
| Bath conductivity | 1200 to 1900 µS/cm, referred to 25 °C | Calibrated conductivity cell, technique as in ISO 7888 for water, no coating specific standard method |
| Pigment to binder ratio, bath | 0.12 to 0.25 by weight | Gravimetric solids and ash determination, supplier protocol |
| Dry film thickness, open surface | 18 to 25 µm, standard build | ISO 2178 on uncoated steel; on zinc-coated steel the magnetic reading includes the zinc layer, so the film is measured by difference against the same part before coating, or by eddy current to ISO 2360 where the zinc layer is thick enough for the probe |
| Throwing power, closed four-plate box cell | 150 to 200 mm penetration at the standard cell gap | Closed box cell, in-house method, no published standard |
| Cross-cut adhesion | Classification 0 to 1, 1 mm cut spacing | ISO 2409 |
| Neutral salt spray, scribed panel over zinc phosphate | 500 to 1000 h, creep from the scribe within the agreed limit; a comparative laboratory result, not a prediction of service life | ISO 9227 exposure, assessment to ISO 4628-8 |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Method | Cathodic electrodeposition by immersion in a circulating bath, with the part as cathode and anolyte cells removing the acid released at the counter electrode so bath pH stays in control |
| Surface preparation | Multi-stage cleaning and a zinc phosphate conversion coating, rinsed to demineralised water quality; parts hung in reliable electrical contact, with access and drain holes in closed cavities |
| Bath make-up and replenishment | Resin emulsion and pigment paste feeds added to the circulating bath with demineralised water to hold solids and pigment to binder ratio; solubilising acid and correction additives dosed as bath analysis requires to hold pH; conductivity held by the anolyte circuit and by ultrafiltrate purge |
| Bath temperature and deposition | 28 to 32 °C; 150 to 250 V DC applied over 120 to 180 s, below the rupture voltage of the bath |
| Rinse | Ultrafiltrate rinse followed by a demineralised water rinse, with dragout returned to the tank |
| Cure schedule | 175 to 190 °C metal temperature for 15 to 25 min at temperature, confirmed by attached thermocouple oven profile |
| Next step or overcoat | Liquid or powder topcoat on parts exposed to sunlight, with intercoat adhesion confirmed on the combined system to ISO 2409 |
Process. Immersion in a circulating cathodic bath at 28 °C to 32 °C, 150 V to 250 V DC applied over 120 s to 180 s, ultrafiltrate rinse followed by a demineralised water rinse, then bake at 175 °C to 190 °C metal temperature for 15 min to 25 min at temperature. Supplied as resin emulsion and pigment paste feeds with the solubilising acid and correction additives the operating tank consumes.
6. Storage and handling
Store the resin emulsion and pigment paste feeds in closed original containers in a cool, dry place, protected from frost and direct sunlight; the operating bath is kept circulating and is not left standing. Shelf life is stated on the label and 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
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