ST PAUL, MN — With its new EcoShield^® VpCI^®-386 HT Slip Coating, Cortec^® has developed a coating that helps to keep the inside of electrical conduits from rusting while providing enough slip for electrical wires to pass through. 

EcoShield VpCI-386 HT Slip Coating is a unique high-heat-resistant water-based DTM (direct-to-metal) coating that offers improved surface slip, excellent outdoor weathering, and thermal heat protection. It significantly retards the reaction of metal ionization and repels water, thus protecting against corrosive electrolytes and aggressive environments. This thixotropic coating resists sagging and running and is thermally stable when dried in ambient temperatures up to approximately 500 °F (260 °C), depending on color choice (Clear, Black, or Aluminum). EcoShield VpCI-386 HT Slip Coating offers extended protection in sheltered, unsheltered, indoor and outdoor conditions and is UV resistant to resist cracking or chipping from prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Corrosion protection is more critical in some environments than others. For example, electrical conduits are more vulnerable to corrosion when stored outdoors than indoors, or when installed in a tropical, humid climate instead of a hot, dry one. Corrosion protection may be necessary in several phases of the piping life cycle.

Outdoor Storage: Manufacturers are often short on storage space, which can cause storage to overflow outdoors. If it rains and the internal coating has not fully cured, the inside of the conduits may flash rust. EcoShield VpCI-386 HT Slip Coating minimizes this problem.

Overseas Shipping and Storage: Manufacturers sometimes have to ship pipes and tubing overseas, where they may even be stored for six months longer before the customer is able to install them. Again, EcoShield VpCI-386 HT Slip Coating can help protect against internal corrosion.

Harsh Installation Environments: Industrial facilities must install electrical conduits in a variety of conditions, from dry indoor office spaces to corrosive offshore environments. EcoShield VpCI-386 HT Slip Coating can help delay or reduce the corrosion process inside the tubing so the electrical conduits last longer.

Slip coatings are very important for electrical conduits because they reduce the coefficient of friction on the inside of the pipes. This makes it easier to push electrical wiring through the tubes when they are installed. By combining a slip coating with Cortec VpCI corrosion inhibitors, EcoShield VpCI-386 HT Slip Coating helps electrical conduit manufacturers and users tackle two challenges at once. Another important consideration is the temperature required during coating application. Many tube makers must briefly expose piping to extreme heat during the manufacturing process (e.g., to cure coatings). EcoShield VpCI-386 HT Slip Coating is therefore designed to withstand high temperatures so it will not be destroyed.

By using EcoShield VpCI-386 HT Slip Coating, manufacturers can protect against flash corrosion during storage and shipment, and end users can help electrical conduits last longer even after pipes are installed in corrosive environments. Contact Cortec to learn more at https://www.cortecvci.com/contact-us/.