Epoxy Enamel Coating

abecote® 320 is a two component, solvent borne, pigmented polyamide cured epoxy coating.

Uses
abecote® 320 is a decorative and protective coating for most surfaces not exposed to extensive sunlight.
Advantages
  • abecote® 320 provides an economical hard finish, which offers surfaces improved abrasion resistance and aesthetic finish
  • Suitable for walls and containment areas free of extensive sunlight. Excellent for resistance to sugar, solvents, salt spray and several chemicals
Surface Preparation
Steel shall be grit blasted to a minimum standard of Sa 2 ½ on the Swedish Code of Practice SIS 055900. The prepared surface must be free of all corrosion deposits and contaminants and provide a water break free surface.

Concrete shall be free of all laitance and preferably should be lightly vacuum blast cleaned. The prepared surface must be dry, clean, sound and free of all contaminants and friable matter. All blemishes in the surface such as pop-outs, omegas, blowholes and honeycomb should be patched with epidermix 318. This should be left overnight to cure and shall then be rendered smooth.

Properties Of Wet Material
Mixing ratio
base: activator
2:1 v/v
Density (typical) 1.22 kg/L for white
Colour:
Base Activator
Mixed material
Pigmented
White
Dark green
Med sea grey
Pale grey
Dove grey
Clear
Other colours on application
Finish Gloss
Flash point 17 ºC
Dilution (up to 5% by
volume)
With abecote® thinners no. 3
Consistency Medium viscosity liquid
Properties During Application
Pot life @ 25 ºC 8 hours/5 L
Induction period Allow to stand for 20 minutes in
mixing shade aftere
Volume solids (typical) 45%
Drying time @ 25 ºC Touch: 2 hours
Hard: 12 hours
Full cure: 7 days
Overcoating time
@ 25 ºC
Minimum: 12 hours
Maximum: 48 hours
Application temperature
range
10 ºC to 40 ºC
Do not apply coating if the substrate temperature is at least 3 ºC
(5 °C is better) above dew point or if humidity is > 85%
Fire resistance of
wet film
Flammable
Physical Properties Of Dry Film
Maximum service
temperature
Dry: 120 ºC
Immersion: 70 ºC
Flexibility on conical
mandrel
Passes
Hardness 200 gm (Sheen scratch test)
Salt spray Withstands 1 000 hours when suitably
primed
Weathering resistance Chalks on prolonged exposure to
sunlight
Toxicity Cured film is non-toxic
Distilled water
resistance
Poor
Water resistance Good
Solvent resistance Resists aliphatic hydrocarbons and
mineral oils
Chemical resistance Resists 40% sodium hydroxide
(caustic soda) and dilute mineral acids
Bonding/priming

abecote® 320 is normally only applied over previously primed and undercoated surfaces. Metals would normally be primed with abecote® 384, and porous surfaces with abecote® 386. Any contamination on a primed surface must be removed before applying abecote® 320. A wash down with abecote® thinners no. 3 will probably be sufficient. If optimum appearance is desired, the primer film should be overcoated with abecote® 386 and when dry, this should be sanded down to achieve a smooth base. Any debris of preparation must be removed before coating commences.

Mixing
Stir the contents of each container, particularly the base, very well. Add activator to base and stir together for at least 5 minutes using a flat paddle. It has been found that mechanical mixing gives better dispersion than manual mixing. A suitable mixing method would be a slow speed electric drill (approximately 200 r/min) fitted with a paddle. If only part of a kit is to be used,add one volume of activator to two volumes of base. Measuring must be accurate and separate stirrers and containers used for proportioning each component. The mixed material must be left to stand in a cool place for 20 minutes prior to application.

Beware of high summer temperature and overfast mixing causing extremely fast curing. Very low winter temperatures retard/stop curing.

Coverage
Properties During Application
Recommended average
dft per coat
36 μm
Theoretical coverage for
above dft
12.5 m²/L on smooth surfaces
Wet film thickness at
above
80 μm
Maximum
recommended wft
100 μm
Practical coverage for
estimating purposes
8 m²/L/coat (depending on surface
texture)
Recommended number
of coats
2 coats for optimum appearance
  1. In order to avoid colour variation in large expanses one must ensure that the same batch is used, since slight color variation from batch to batch is unavoidable (factory batching available on request).
  2. The substrate must be dry before application. For concrete, moisture content tests must be conducted prior to application of the priming system. Testing for moisture (e.g. protimeter survey master or equivalent), or dynamic calcium chloride moisture “weight gain” over 24 hours, or a practical overnight “plastic sheet test” is also advisable approximately 1m2; masked down on surface. Concrete substrate must have a minimum tensile adhesive strength of 1.5 N/mm2.
  3. Concrete substrate must have a minimum tensile adhesive strength of 1.5 N/mm2.
  4. Prevailing weather conditions must be taken into account otherwise surface defects can occur (see under “properties of wet material”).

abecote® 320 may be applied by brush, short fiber roller or airless spray. Spraying would be through a tip of approximately 250 μm. Stir frequently during use.

abecote® 320 should not be applied if the ambient temperature is below 10 °C .The curing reaction will not proceed at low temperature. If surfaces are not at least 3 °C above the dew point, there is every chance that a film of condensed moisture may be present. This will upset adhesion of the coating. Wet film thickness should not exceed the recommended figures as solvent entrapment could result. The same condition may be caused if overcoating times are shortened. Solvent entrapment in the film can lead to poor performance.

Wet film thickness should not exceed the recommended figures as solvent entrapment could result. The same condition may be caused if overcoating times are shortened. Solvent entrapment in the film can lead to poor performance.

Cleaning

abe® super brush cleaner before setting.

Protection On Completion

Protect the surface against traffic and spillage until cured.
Most epoxies chalk and degrade in extensive sunlight.

Model Specification
Two component solvent borne epoxy enamel coating.

The coating will be abecote® 320, a two component solvent borne epoxy enamel coating applied in accordance with a.b.e.®s recommendations, including necessary primers as directed.

Packaging

abecote® 320 is supplied in 5 L yield metal containers.

Handling And Storage

All abecote® 320 related products have a shelflife of 12 months if kept in a dry, cool store in the original, unopened packs.

If stored at high temperatures and/or high humidity conditions, the shelflife may be reduced.

Health And Safety

Wet abecote® 320 is toxic and flammable. Always ventilate a working area very well during application and drying. Avoid naked flames in the vicinity.

Avoid inhalation of fumes/dust and contact with skin and eyes. Suitable protective clothing, gloves, eye protection and respiratory protective equipment should be worn. The use of barrier creams provides additional skin protection. If contact with skin occurs, wash with water and soap. Splashes into eyes should be washed immediately with plenty of clean water and medical advice sought.

Cured abecote® 320 is inert and harmless. Separate material safety data for base and activator is available on request.

Important Note
This data sheet is issued as a guide to the use of the product(s) concerned. Whilst a.b.e.® endeavors to ensure that any advice, recommendation, specification or information is accurate and correct, the company cannot – because a.b.e.® has no direct or continuous control over where and how a.b.e.® products are applied – accept any liability either directly or indirectly arising from the use of a.b.e.® products, whether or not in accordance with any advice, specification, recommendation, or information given by the company.
Further Information

Where other products are to be used in conjunction with this material, the relevant technical data sheets should be consulted to determine total requirements. a.b.e.® has a wealth of technical and practical experience built up over years in the company’s pursuit of excellence in flooring and concrete technology.