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 | DSGL-2 |
|---|---|
| Trade name | High Chlorinated Polyethylene Intermediate Coat |
| Category | Chlorinated coatings |
| System role | Intermediate coat - film build and barrier protection |
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
The intermediate coat builds the bulk of the film. Its primary function is barrier protection — to create a continuous, impermeable layer of sufficient thickness that the aggressive species driving corrosion cannot travel through to reach the steel.
It is also the coat that carries the mechanical properties. High-build epoxies, micaceous iron oxide coatings and epoxy phenolic intermediates provide the abrasion resistance, chemical resistance and barrier performance that the thin finish coat is not designed to provide on its own.
Purpose in the system: Applied over a cured primer, and normally covered by a finish coat.
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 airless or conventional spray for the film build required, or by brush and roller for smaller areas where the specification allows.
Pay attention to edges, welds, rivets and connections. Intermediates are applied when the primer film is still receptive, and a poor edge build is where corrosion almost always starts.
Do not exceed the wet film thickness in a single pass; apply in two coats rather than one heavy coat.
Mixing, ratio and induction time
Mixed at the ratio stated on the data sheet — commonly 4:1 or 5:1 by volume for high-build epoxy intermediates. Thorough mixing is essential because the pigment and fillers in a high-build intermediate settle quickly.
Cure, recoat window and service readiness
Recoatable after 12 to 24 hours at 20-25 °C, longer in cold or humid conditions. Full cure takes 7 to 14 days. Cold and humidity can cause amine blush, which must be removed by abrading and washing before the next coat or intercoat adhesion will be lost.
Coverage and thickness calculation
Typical dry film thickness is 100-200 µm, usually applied in two coats to reach build without sagging. At 150 µm, one litre covers roughly 5-6 m². Combined with the primer, this coat usually delivers the majority of the total system DFT.
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
- Confirm the primer has cured and reached the specified recoat window before application.
- Measure DFT after every coat and hold the running total against the system specification.
- Inspect for laps, sag, brush marks and thinning, and check holiday detection results before overcoating.
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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