Overview
Chlorinated rubber coatings are built on chlorinated polymer chemistry that delivers a very broad chemical resistance with excellent adhesion and rapid recoating. They are the classic heavy-duty coating for marine, offshore and chemical environments.
The chlorinated family covers two related chemistries. Chlorinated rubber uses a solution copolymerised rubber binder with high chlorine content. Chlorosulphonated polyethylene (CSPE) goes further, combining chlorine with sulphonation to produce a polymer with outstanding resistance to acids, alkalis, oxidation and ozone.
Delshine supplies the complete system: anticorrosive primers, intermediate coats and finishes in high-chlorinated polyethylene, chlorinated rubber, and vinyl perchloride, plus the specialised aluminium and boot-topping grades used on ship hulls and offshore structures.
Product identification
The identifiers below are the ones printed on the drum and quoted on the purchase order. Always order and dispatch by code, because the grade and the zinc or temperature variant cannot be inferred from the trade name alone.
| Product code | DS-801 |
|---|---|
| Trade name | Chlorosulphonated Polyethylene Primer |
| Category | Chlorinated coatings |
| System role | Primer - first coat on the prepared substrate |
Where this product is used
- Marine hulls, boot topping and topside coatings
- Offshore platform and jacket protection
- Chemical plant and process equipment in aggressive atmospheres
- Water tanks, clarifiers and effluent treatment structures
- Steel bridges and infrastructure exposed to salt and pollution
- Mining and mineral processing equipment
- Storage tanks and bunds handling fuels and solvents
- Cold-formed and galvanised steel structures
How it works in the coating system
A primer is the first layer in the coating system, and it decides how well everything that follows will adhere. Its job is to wet out the prepared substrate, key into its surface, and hold the coating together as one film.
Applied thin, a primer wets and anchors. Applied too thick, it becomes brittle, stresses the substrate and can peel as a sheet. The right dry film thickness for a primer is the one that covers the surface completely without building a film that can crack.
Purpose in the system: Applied directly to the prepared substrate, before any intermediate coat or topcoat.
Technical properties
The values below are the typical published range for this product family. The exact figures for your batch are confirmed on the batch certificate and the current technical data sheet.
| Role in the coating system | Chlorinated rubber / CPE / CSP coating — primer, intermediate or finish |
|---|---|
| Volume solids | 40–65 % |
| Mixing ratio by volume | Single component; stir before use |
| Typical dry film thickness | 40–60 µm per coat |
| Theoretical coverage | 6–12 m²/litre per coat |
| Application methods | Conventional spray · brush · roller |
| Application temperature window | 5–40 °C, minimum 3 °C above dew point |
| Suitable substrates | Prepared steel, aluminium and galvanised steel |
| Finish / appearance | Semi-gloss, mid-gloss or matt; iron red and aluminium tints |
| Principal resistance | Corrosion, salt spray, moisture, alkalis |
| UV resistance | Good — the chlorinated family holds colour and gloss well |
| Adhesion to prepared steel | > 4 MPa pull-off on prepared steel |
| Salt spray performance | > 2,000 h in salt spray for the full system |
| Chemical resistance | Good against alkalis, weak acids and mineral oils |
| Abrasion resistance | Moderate; not for high-wear areas |
| Flash point | 5–20 °C |
| Shelf life | 12–24 months unopened |
| Density | 1.15–1.45 g/cm³ |
| Pack sizes | 1 kg–20 kg kits; 200 kg drums |
Surface preparation
- Abrasive blast steel to Sa 2½ (ISO 8501-1). Chlorinated coatings depend on mechanical key and will not perform over rust or mill scale.
- Ensure the surface is completely free of soluble salts by washing with fresh water before final abrasive blasting.
- Remove all oils, greases and contaminants with solvent cleaning and a clean wipe-down immediately before coating.
- Round edges to at least 2 mm radius and grind welds and drainage holes smooth.
- Control the environment strictly: substrate above the dew point by at least 3 °C, air temperature above 10 °C, relative humidity below 75%.
- Check the substrate for sharp edges and thinwalled sections that may sweat during application — these need extra care with film build.
Application procedure
Apply by brush, roller, conventional air spray or airless spray depending on the product. Primers are usually thin enough to spray well and wet out a blasted surface completely.
Work at a consistent wet film thickness and avoid over-application at edges, welds and connections — sags and runs at these details are the most common primer defect.
Allow the primer to reach the specified state before overcoating. On some systems a primer should be topcoated while it is still slightly tacky for best intercoat adhesion; on others a full cure with an abrasion between coats is required.
Mixing, ratio and induction time
Two-pack primers are mixed in the ratio stated on the data sheet, typically 4:1 or 5:1 by volume for epoxy primers and 3:1 for polyaspartic systems. Allow the full induction time before thinning and application, and observe the pot life strictly — a primer that has begun to gel will not perform.
Cure, recoat window and service readiness
Recoat windows depend on temperature, humidity and film thickness, but a typical epoxy primer is recoatable after 12 to 24 hours at 20-25 °C and needs 7 days for full cure. Polyaspartic primers cure far faster and may be recoatable within 2 to 4 hours. Exceeding the maximum recoat interval requires the surface to be abraded and re-cleaned before the next coat.
Coverage and thickness calculation
Typical dry film thickness is 40-80 µm for a conventional primer and 60-100 µm for a high-build anticorrosive primer. At 60 µm, one litre covers roughly 12-14 m². Always measure the wet film and calculate back from the solids content to confirm the specified DFT is being achieved.
Technical note. Coverage (m²/litre) = (volume solids × 10) / DFT (µm)
Worked example
| Specified DFT | 50 µm |
|---|---|
| Volume solids | 55 % |
| Theoretical coverage | 11.00 m²/litre |
| Total for the area | 100 m² → 1100.0 litres |
Advantages
- Excellent resistance to acids, alkalis, salts, oils and many solvents.
- Outstanding resistance to oxidation, ozone and ultraviolet exposure, with good retention of gloss in exterior service.
- Fast drying with short recoat intervals, which allows a full system to be applied in a single shift.
- Very good adhesion to steel, concrete and properly prepared surfaces, including over rust-tolerant preparation grades.
- Good flexibility that resists cracking on structures subject to vibration and movement.
- Compatible with a wide range of blast-cleaning standards, making specification straightforward.
Limitations and precautions
- Chlorinated coatings are sensitive to strong solvents and certain ketones — test compatibility before recoating.
- The binder is sensitive to heat; some grades soften and lose properties above 80-90 °C.
- Sub-surface preparation over welds and edges is critical because these coatings are thin and hard.
- Colour and gloss retention can degrade faster than aliphatic polyurethane in highly aggressive chemical exposure.
- Not recommended for submerged service on potable water without a specific approved grade.
Storage and shelf life
- Store in original sealed containers in a cool, dry, ventilated store between 5 °C and 30 °C.
- Keep away from direct sunlight and heat; chlorinated solvents have a relatively low flash point.
- Keep containers tightly closed to prevent solvent loss and contamination.
- Rotate stock first-in-first-out and observe the labelled shelf life.
Safety, PPE and ventilation
- Chlorinated coatings use strong solvents. Work in well-ventilated areas and use an organic-vapour cartridge respirator.
- Wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles and antistatic clothing; remove ignition sources in the coating area.
- Observe the flash point — keep flames and hot work away from the application area.
- Wash with soap and water after skin contact and seek medical advice for persistent symptoms.
- Collect and dispose of solvent waste through a licensed contractor.
Quality control and inspection
- Check the surface preparation standard and the blast profile before coating begins — this is recorded on the inspection report.
- Verify film thickness by wet film gauge during application and by magnetic induction gauge or dry film readings on the completed coat.
- Holiday test the primer before overcoating, particularly over welds, connections and edges.
Pricing and how to order
Delshine quotes this product per square metre at a specified dry film thickness, or per drum/litre depending on the project. The material cost is usually the smallest part of the installed cost — surface preparation, access and application labour dominate. Send us the substrate, the service conditions and the required DFT and our technical team will return a full system recommendation with a firm price.
Chlorinated coatings are priced per square metre at a specified dry film thickness, with the number of coats being the main cost driver. The material price is moderate but preparation on a marine or offshore structure can exceed the coating cost several times over, so specify preparation explicitly in the contract.
Frequently asked questions
The questions below are the ones our technical team is asked most often about this product family.
What is chlorinated rubber coating used for?
Chlorinated rubber and CSPE coatings are used wherever a coating must survive aggressive chemicals, salt and ozone: marine hulls, offshore platforms, chemical plant equipment, water treatment structures and steel infrastructure. They are particularly valued in the marine world because they combine chemical resistance with the flexibility to tolerate hull flexing and vibration.
Is chlorinated rubber coating safe for drinking water?
Not in general. The standard chlorinated grades are not approved for potable water contact. For potable water tanks, specify a certified system such as DSEH-701 epoxy drinking water coating, which carries FDA approval for that specific application.
How many coats does a chlorinated rubber system need?
A typical heavy-duty system is one anticorrosive primer at 60-80 µm, one intermediate coat at 100-150 µm and one finish coat at 60-80 µm. On submerged hull areas, an additional anticorrosive coat is normally required because these areas take the most mechanical damage.
What surface preparation does chlorinated rubber need?
Abrasive blasting to Sa 2½ is the standard. Chlorinated coatings are thin and hard, so they depend heavily on mechanical key. Hand and power tool preparation to St 3 is acceptable for some structures, but expect a reduced service life and test the adhesion on a trial area first.
Can chlorinated coatings be applied over epoxy?
Yes, but the surface must be prepared. Existing epoxy should be abraded to a matte finish, all residues removed, and the compatibility confirmed with the technical data sheet. Applying a solvent-borne chlorinated coating over an epoxy can soften or lift the epoxy if the solvent attacks it.
How fast do chlorinated coatings cure?
They are fast-drying — typically touch-dry in 2-4 hours and recoatable within 6-24 hours depending on the grade, film thickness, temperature and ventilation. Full cure takes longer, so allow adequate ventilation before the structure is closed up or immersed.
Related products
These products are normally used in the same system as the product described above.
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