Arcshield EP 380 Glass-Flake Reinforced Epoxy Barrier Coat
A high-solids epoxy reinforced with chemically resistant glass flake, applied at high film build in one or two coats. The aligned flakes reduce permeability and restrict film shrinkage for splash zone, buried and immersed steel.
Grade Arcshield EP 380 | Range Protective and Marine Coatings | Technology High-solids two-pack epoxy reinforced with glass flake
Technical Data Sheet
Arcshield EP 380
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
A high-solids epoxy reinforced with chemically resistant glass flake, applied at high film build in one or two coats. The aligned flakes reduce permeability and restrict film shrinkage, which suits splash zone steelwork, jetty legs, buried pipe, valves and the ISO 12944 immersion categories Im1 to Im4. It is also used as a heavy build repair and rebuild coat where abrasion and impact would damage a conventional epoxy.
2. Features
- Aligned glass flake reduces permeability through the film
- Restricted film shrinkage at high build
- For splash zone duty and ISO 12944 immersion categories Im1 to Im4
- Heavy-build repair and rebuild coat where abrasion and impact would damage a conventional epoxy
- Build coat over sealed thermally sprayed aluminium
3. Recommended uses
Splash zone steelwork, jetty legs, buried pipe, valves and immersed structures, and heavy-build repair of abraded or impact-damaged areas.
Substrates. Abrasive blast cleaned carbon steel to Sa 2½ or Sa 3 with a coarse profile, over a zinc-rich or surface-tolerant primer or applied directly to blast-cleaned steel in immersion duty. It is also used as a build coat over thermally sprayed aluminium, applied after the sprayed layer has been sealed with a thinned, low-viscosity sealer, because a flake-loaded film is too viscous to penetrate the porosity of sprayed metal and would bridge it instead.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | High-solids two-pack epoxy reinforced with glass flake | Formulation |
| Appearance | Flake-textured 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 200 to 250 µm per coat, in one or two coats to the specified total | 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 5 to 8 MPa on blast-cleaned steel, against an acceptance level commonly set at a minimum of 5 to 7 MPa for immersion duty | ISO 4624, ASTM D4541 |
| Immersion categories Im1 to Im4, system qualification | Complete system tested for the Im category and durability required, by the regime and durations set in ISO 12944-6 for Im1 to Im3 and in ISO 12944-9 for Im4, with degradation rated after exposure | ISO 12944-6 and ISO 12944-9, water immersion to ISO 2812-2, rated to ISO 4628-2 and ISO 4628-3 |
| Continuity | Low-voltage wet sponge up to 500 µm total, high-voltage spark testing above 500 µm at the voltage set for the thickness, where the specification calls for it | ASTM D5162 |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Method | Airless spray at high pump ratio with a wide tip and a short, large-bore hose, because glass flake raises the applied viscosity. Brush application limited to stripe coats. |
| Surface preparation | Abrasive blast cleaning to Sa 2½ or Sa 3 (ISO 8501-1) with a coarse angular profile, typically 65 to 85 µm Rz (ISO 8503-2, ASTM D4417). Soluble salts typically 20 mg/m² or less as chloride for immersion duty and 50 mg/m² or less for atmospheric duty (ISO 8502-6 with ISO 8502-9). |
| Primer or substrate | Over a zinc-rich or surface-tolerant primer, or direct to blast-cleaned steel in immersion duty. Over thermally sprayed aluminium, seal the sprayed layer first with a thinned, low-viscosity sealer, because the flake-loaded film would bridge the porosity rather than penetrate it. |
| Thinning | Thinner as stated on the product data, kept to the minimum needed for spraying at high build. |
| Film thickness control | Wet film thickness checked during application; dry film thickness confirmed to ISO 2808 before the next coat. |
| Conditions and overcoating | 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. The second coat is applied within the overcoating window stated on the product data. |
Process. Airless spray at high pump ratio with a wide tip and a short, large-bore hose, because glass flake raises the applied viscosity. Brush application is limited to stripe coats. Wet film thickness is checked during application, and the specified dry film thickness is confirmed to ISO 2808 before the next coat.
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
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