Ahead of new regulations for potable water assets that go into effect in January 2023, Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine has launched a high-solids epoxy lining that’s completely free of the restricted solvents. The lining, Sherplate™ 600, meets the new NSF/ANSI/CAN 600: Health Effects Evaluation and Criteria in Drinking Water standard, which will drastically reduce the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) of xylene, toluene, and ethylbenzene found within coating and lining products certified for potable water storage use. The high-solids Sherplate 600 epoxy phenalkamide lining does not contain xylene, toluene, ethylbenzene, or even oxsol, which may lose exempt status in the very near future.

Most of the coatings to be approved under NSF/ANSI/CAN 600 will feature 100% volume solids, as such ultrahigh-solids materials, and include minimal to no solvents. However, certain high-solids coatings, such as Sherplate 600, that lack the restricted solvents will be permitted. This offers applicators advantages as the 89% volume solids Sherplate 600 is easier to apply than 100%-solids formulations and can be sprayed using either single-leg or plural-component equipment. The coating sprays more like the single-leg sprayable, 70%-solids epoxy linings poised for elimination under NSF/ANSI/CAN 600. Therefore, applicators not familiar with plural-component equipment will have an easier learning curve for spraying Sherplate 600 compared to applying 100%-solids linings.

Sherplate 600 can be applied up to 16 mils dry film thickness (DFT) per coat and up to a total thickness of 24 mils DFT. That high film-build capability, coupled with the coating’s high edge-retention capabilities, enable the material to be used for stripe coating welds, edges, and corners before completing full lining applications. Certain epoxy formulations containing solvents have been preferred for stripe coating, but those materials will likely no longer be permitted under the new NSF/ANSI/CAN 600 regulations.

Approved for potable water use in water tanks, pipes, ductile iron pipes, and water treatment plant assets, Sherplate 600 complies with AWWA D102 Inside Coating Systems (ICS) 1, 2,5, and 6 as well as AWWA D102 Outside Coating Systems (OCS) 5 and 6. It has a semi-gloss finish and is available in white, light blue, buff, and red colors, giving applicators options for alternating colors to visually confirm full application coverage. The lining also has a low odor and a volatile organic compound (VOC) content of <100 g/L.

For more information, visit: www.protective.sherwin-williams.com.