PRODUCT DATA SHEET: CERAM-KOTE 54®
Description: CeRam-Kote 54® is a thin-film, spray applied and air-dried ceramic coating engineered to provide excellent abrasion and
corrosion protection in critical service environments for all metals, fiberglass reinforced plastics, concrete and plastic
substrata. CeRam-Kote 54®’s highly modified epoxy resin system has been heavily loaded with a unique package of
ceramic particles to enhance performance in extremely aggressive environments. The product may be force-cured for
enhanced performance in extremely harsh environments. Available in a variety of colors, including safety colors. The
CeRam-Kote 54® ATM formula has ABS approval per certificate #99-HS27360-X.
Suggested Uses:
General Industry Cooling Tower Fan Blades, Loading Ramps, Heavy Wear Areas on Equipment, Pump Casings & Impellers, Valves
Internal and External
Marine Potable Water Tanks, Hulls, Bilge Areas, Rudders, Engine Rooms and Water Jet Intake Tubes
Energy Turbine Blades, Lock & Dam Gates, Pump Casing & Impellers, Wind Generator Blades, Trash Racks
Entertainment Water Ride Substrates
Food Service Internals in Hoppers, Most Service Areas of Equipment
Pulp and Paper Critical Service Areas of Equipment
Transportation Bridges (splash zones), Interior on Trailers (Salt Hauling, Asphalt and Fertilizer)
Oil and
Petrochemical
Rotary Tables, Pump Casings & Impellers, Valves, Manifolds
Offshore Oil Platform Splash Zone, Decks (heavy wear areas), Equipment, Skids, Heliports, Sub-sea Wellheads, Riser Pipes, Riser
Guide Tubes
Wastewater* Lifts Stations, Trash Racks, Pump Casings & Impellers
(*Note: Freecom’s current recommended formula for wastewater applications is NEW CeRam-Kote 2000).
TECHNICAL DATA
Volume Solids: CeRam-Kote 54® 80% +/- 2%
VOC: 1.63 lb/gal (196 g/liter) less water
Number of Coats: One Coat, two passes (each pass 4½-6 mils, 112½-150 microns)
Dry Film Thickness: CeRam-Kote 54® should be applied holiday-free at a minimum of 7 mils (175 microns) with a
maximum thickness of 10 mils (250 microns).
Cure Time: A two-pass film of 7-10 mils DFT (175-250 microns) air dries to a touch-dry finish within three (3)
hours at 72°F (22.2°C) and dries to a 70% cure in twelve (12) hours. Cure times lengthen at lower
temperatures and shorten at higher temperatures. If the coating is to be exposed to a critical service
environment, coating should be fully cured before placing into service.
Surface Preparation: Bonding strength depends on proper preparation of the surface to be protected for long-term
performance of the product. The substrate should be free of oil, grease and salt/chloride contamination.
Specifications call for a white metal (NACE 1, SSPC-SP5, Swedish Standards SA-3) finish with a 2-2.5
mil (50-62.5 microns) anchor profile. Surface preparation should be no less than a near white (NACE 2,
SSPC-SP10, Swedish Standards SA 2½) finish. Cleanliness is the most important step to produce a
coated surface that will perform and last. Call Freecom for surface preparation recommendations of
materials such as aluminum, brass, plastic, fiberglass and/or concrete.
Mixing Ratio: Twelve (12) parts of Part A to one (1) part of Part B by volume
Twenty and one-half (20.5) parts of Part A to one (1) part of Part B by weight
FREECOM, INC. • P.O. BOX 2119 • BIG SPRING, TEXAS 79721 • 432-263-8497 • 800-346-4299
• 432-263-5269 FAX • www.CeRam-kote.com • E-mail address: freecom@CeRam-kote.com
Mixing: CeRam-Kote 54® contains a high loading of ceramic particles which must be placed into full suspension
with the epoxy resin prior to application. CeRam-Kote 54® is packaged in two cans, Part A (resin and
ceramics) and Part B (curing agent). Shake Part A (coating) with a Cyclone air-powered shaker or mix
Part A with a paddle mixer until all ceramic powders are suspended in the resin. Time required to place
ceramics into suspension varies according to temperature and length of material storage time. At 72°F
(22.2°C), generally a four (4) to six (6) minute shake will place the ceramic powders into suspension.
Regardless of time needed, shake all ceramic material into suspension prior to proceeding. Failure
to properly mix will keep CeRam-Kote 54® from performing or curing properly. Check the can to
assure all solids are in suspension prior to proceeding to the mixing step.
Combine Part A (coating) and Part B (curing agent) and stir until both parts are thoroughly mixed
(when mixing quart or pint kits only, pour Part A into Part B. Use this procedure for quart or pint
kits only due to the small amount of curing agent in the Part B can). Stirring time is temperature
dependent, but a two (2) to four (4) minute stir at 72°F (22.2°C) should thoroughly mix the components.
No induction time is needed before application.
Pot Life & Shelf Life: Pot life for CeRam-Kote 54® at 72°F (22.2°C) is approximately one (1) hour. Colder temperatures will
increase the pot life and warmer temperatures will decrease the pot life. Keep cans out of direct sunlight
to prevent heat buildup. CeRam-Kote 54® has an indefinite shelf life. Preferred storage/usage is a dry
enclosed area under 85°F (29°C) /used within two (2) years. However, if stored more than two years
above 85°F (29°C), call Freecom Technical Support prior to use.
Thinning: Adjust viscosity with small amounts of CeRam-Kote Thinner 1 or CeRam-Kote Thinner 3. Use caution
when adjusting the viscosity. A little goes a long way. We recommend thinning to a maximum of 15%
by volume. Only a small portion of the total solution is epoxy resin and the resin is the only ingredient
that can be thinned. Thinning dilutes the high solids of CeRam-Kote 54®, creates excessive overspray
and can cause some color changes in bright colors.
Application: Spray apply for best results using conventional, airless, HVLP or cup gun. The air source must be dry.
The compressed air source should be outfitted with air dryers as needed to supply moisture-free air. Use
pressure feed equipment such as high volume, low pressure equipment or conventional equipment.
Airless: use reversible carbide tip with orifice size of 0.019-0.021 inches. If applying with roller, use
short nap, such as 1/4” (.244 mm).
After thoroughly mixing CeRam-Kote 54®, strain it with a standard paint strainer and pour CeRam-
Kote 54® into the spray equipment.
Apply a first pass of four and one-half (4½) to six (6) mils (112½-150 microns) WFT and allow
sufficient time for solvent to flash off. At 72°F (22.2°C), 30-40 minutes is sufficient. Apply a second
pass of four and one half (4½) to six mils (112½-150 microns) for a total DFT of seven to ten mils (175-
250 microns) DFT. Cure time is temperature dependent.
Apply additional mils without incurring runs or sags if the finished product requires thicker coverage.
Whenever possible, apply second coat in a cross-coat method.
Climate: Use CeRam-Kote 54® only if the substrate temperature and ambient air temperature is above 40°F
(4.4°C). No coating should be permitted when substrate is wet from rain or dew, when surfaces are less
than five degrees Fahrenheit (three degrees Celsius) above the dew point and holding or when relative
humidity is greater than 85%. Moisture will inhibit the catalyst reaction and CeRam-Kote 54® will not
cure or perform properly.
Holiday Detection: CeRam-Kote 54® is classified as a thin-film coating and should be tested for defects and holidays using
a 67½ volt, wet sponge spark detector set at 80,000 ohms resistance, such as a Tinker and Rasor model
M-1.
Repairs: If application of the coating is less than seventy-two (72) hours old and has not been exposed to
contamination, repair by wiping with CeRam-Kote Thinner 1 or CeRam-Kote Thinner 3 and then reapply
CeRam-Kote 54®. If contaminated or more than 72 hours old, first sand with appropriate grit
sandpaper, then repeat repair process.
Cleanup: Purge and clean spray equipment within thirty (30) minutes of the final spray. Flush equipment with
CeRam-Kote Thinner 1 or CeRam-Kote Thinner 3 until solvent sprays clear. Disassemble and clean
equipment to manufacturer’s recommendations. Material left in spray equipment will solidify and
damage equipment. Use precautionary measure applicable to any catalyzed material.
Safety: See individual product label for safety and health data. A Material Safety Data Sheet is available upon
request.
5/06/04