Marine

The marine environment is without a doubt the most corrosive where nature takes its toll 365 days a year. Whilst paint coating can provide a reasonable protection to large areas of vessels it is ineffective for protection against corrosion to valves, flanges, winches, pulleys, bearing housings, pumps, hydraulic systems, steel to concrete interfaces and other equipment in storage.

Oxifree has the unique capability of encapsulating these components forming a 100% protective shield which eliminates the harsh corrosive environment destroying these essential spare components. With the increased use of aluminum in military vessels Oxifree can hold the key to eliminating corrosion caused by dissimilar metals.

Oxifree TM198 is highly effective for protecting metal pipework and equipment in marine environments because it combines active chemical preservation with an impermeable physical barrier.

The primary reasons why Oxifree TM198 is widely trusted in harsh offshore and coastal applications include:

Active Corrosion Inhibitors - Unlike passive paints, TM198 contains organic corrosion inhibitor oils. Upon application, these oils automatically "wet" the metal surface, creating a secondary active shield. This oil continues to secrete over time, actively arresting existing rust and preventing the ingress of oxygen and saltwater.

Encapsulation Without Adhesion - TM198 is a pliable thermoplastic resin that expands and contracts with thermal shifts. It does not stick or adhere directly to the metal substrate. Instead, it tightly encapsulates the component by shrinking around its geometry as it cools. This makes it ideal for complex, irregular shapes like bolted flanges, valves, and joints where traditional coatings do not adhere, easily crack or peel.

Protection for Moving Parts - Because it relies on encapsulation rather than adhesion, and possesses self-lubricating properties, it can be safely applied over rotating and moving machinery - such as winches, bearings, and valves - without jamming them.

Zero Operational Downtime & Low Prep - Marine environments complicate surface preparation due to high humidity and salt. TM198 requires minimal surface preparation (only brushing away loose scale, with no sandblasting needed). It can be sprayed directly onto live, functioning equipment in humid environments, curing in less than two minutes. This entirely eliminates the need for expensive system shutdowns.

Simplified Maintenance & NDT Inspection - Traditional marine epoxies must be blasted off to inspect the underlying metal. TM198 can be easily cut away with a knife for targeted maintenance or visual checks. Furthermore, asset integrity teams can conduct Ultrasonic Testing (UT) non-destructive inspection directly through the coating without removing it. Any cutaways can be seamlessly refilled, as new hot-melt material bonds perfectly to the existing coating.

Extreme Weather Resistance - It is highly resistant to aggressive maritime threats, comfortably exceeding 11,688 hours of ASTM B117 salt spray testing. It is inherently resistant to heavy UV exposure, wave slam, and extreme coastal thermal cycling. TM198 is classified as a CAT X Protective coating - The highest performance rating for Marine Environments.

Feature	Oxifree TM198	Traditional Marine Paint/Epoxies
Adherence	Encapsulates without sticking; allows parts to move	Adheres completely; cracks under joint movement
Surface Prep	Minimal (wire brush loose debris, no sandblasting)	Intensive (requires sandblasting to bare metal)
Cure Time	Under 2 minutes; immediate protection	Hours to days; multi-coat processes
Inspection	Direct UT through coating or easy slice-and-refill	Requires complete blasting/grinding to inspect
Environmental	Eco-friendly; <0.5% low VOCs; reusable material	High VOCs; creates blast-grit waste