Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

February, 2006

Intumescent Coatings and Heat Insulation

Q. Is intumescent coatings appropriate for protection of epoxy repairs? Epoxy looses its strength at temperatures as low as 200 degrees F. Some high temperature epoxies will hold up to about 250 degrees F. Will the intumescent coating keep concrete substrate at this low of temperatures?

A. I don't believe that an intumescent coating will make any difference to the epoxy. Intumescent coatings become heat insulators only when they are exposed to much higher temperatures, such as those that you will encounter during as fire. Until such temperatures are reached the coating remains unaffected.

Best wishes,

Ron Joseph