Coatings for Industrial Applications

For decades, Imron polyurethane enamel has been widely used among commercial vehicle manufacturers, boasting high durability, corrosion protection, and resistance to chemicals and weathering, as well as shock and impact. Now, Axalta Coating Systems is expanding its reach into segments outside automotive with Industrial Imron.

The company’s Imron line was initially developed in the late 1960s for improved color and weathering in automobile and other vehicle applications. At the same time, industrial chemical plants and refineries were struggling with corrosion and chemical-resistance issues, requiring them to repaint more frequently. Repainting was costly to these large facilities, but it was necessary, as the downtime and safety issues related to unmanaged corrosion was also a real problem.

Axalta responded by developing a coating system for the industrial segment that eliminated the need to repaint frequently, thus reducing costs.

“Imron was introduced in the industrial market in the mid-1970s with exceptional chemical resistance, outstanding weathering attributes and an extremely broad color space,” says Ross Morgan, product platform manager for general industrial. “Its high gloss and attractive finish caused a job done correctly to stand out, making Imron the topcoat of choice with industrial users.”

Over the last few years, Axalta has been expanding its presence in coating segments outside automotive, and it has relaunched Industrial Imron, designed to meet the specific end uses and with the attributes needed to satisfy other industrial markets, Morgan says. It is used in industries such as oil and gas, construction, heavy-duty rail for locomotives, metal fabrication, amusement rides and structures, and other general industrial segments. 

Currently sold to OEM and refurbishing manufacturers, Industrial Imron can be used over a variety of properly prepared substrates, including metal, aluminum and fiberglass. The coating also can be applied over old coatings in good condition—even over itself after prolonged exposure—for easy repaint. 

“It provides a wet, mirror-like finish that also offers color and gloss retention, chemical resistance, ease of application, and long-term performance,” Morgan says.

Industrial Imron is available in topcoat, primer and direct-to-metal varieties, and in multiple gloss levels, ranging from extremely high gloss to flat. The coating, which can be applied by brush, roller or spray, is flexible and it can be applied in a variety of environmental conditions at temperatures ranging to 35°F (1.7°C). It’s also “environmentally responsible,” with maximum applied volatile organic compound levels ranging from 0.8 to 3.5 lbs per gallon, making it compliant across the U.S. National AIM Rule.

For more information about Imron coatings, please visit axaltacs.com.