The Proof Is in the Lining: The Evolution and Innovation Behind Sherwin-Williams UHS Tank Linings

Sherwin-Williams has been an industry leader in the development of ultra-high solids (UHS) linings for protective and marine markets for more than two decades. Starting in the late 1990s, the coating supplier worked with the U.S. Navy to qualify one of the first MIL-Spec UHS tank linings. Leveraging its innovation capabilities, and deep subject matter and industry expertise, Sherwin-Williams continued to develop UHS tank linings, such as Fast-Clad® ER, to meet evolving specifications of the 21st century.

BEFORE UHS LININGS, THERE WERE SOLVENT-BASED POLYAMIDE EPOXIES
Prior to the development of UHS tank linings, solvent-based polyamide epoxies were used to meet military specifications such as MIL-DTL-24441 or the original MIL-PRF-23236. Despite their common use in the 1990s, solvent-based polyamide epoxies were inadequate at providing long-term corrosion protection and holiday-free integrity. Although life expectancy for these linings was estimated to be roughly eight years, coating breakdown was frequently reported within just two years of service. These systems also required several application layers and stripe coats – which led to timeintensive application processes with high associated labor costs.

During the mid-90s, the U.S. Navy pinpointed tank and void corrosion repair as its top maintenance expense – spending a reported $250 million per year1. To analyze the expenditure, the Navy launched an investigative program to uncover the main causes of tank corrosion and concluded the following:

Poor application procedures limited the coating system’s life cycle
Solvent-based coatings were unable to provide adequate protection
Coating breakdown at edges (welds, stiffeners) caused premature failure

This program led to the innovative development of ultra-high solids (<150 g/liter) that could meet the following increased performance criteria:

Environmental demands for low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic components
Extended dry-dock cycles
Life expectancy up to 20 years

To sustain these new requirements, UHS linings needed to provide exceptional protection against coating degradation in the field and high-film build "with edge retention" to effectively prevent premature edge and weld failure.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF UHS LININGS
As one of the first coatings suppliers to formulate a UHS lining, Sherwin-Williams developed Dura-Plate® UHS in 1997. This ultra-high-solids, edge-retentive epoxy lining meets MIL-PRF-23236 standard requirements, and in some cases, exceeds them. Dura-Plate UHS is suitable for bulk storage tanks, ballast tanks, pipe internals and secondary containment – in new construction and maintenance applications. This Grade-C material lining cures above 50°F (10°C) and allows a long recoat window (14+ days), which enables thorough inspection time and touch-ups.

The Dura-Plate UHS lining system includes a UHS primer that uses the same chemistry and is 100-percent topcoat compatible. The primer provides consistent chemical and temperature resistance, and delivers excellent pit-filling in maintenance applications.

Unlike previously applied solvent-based polyamide epoxies, this UHS lining system demonstrates a high level of durability in extreme environments such as oil & gas and water/wastewater facilities noted in Figure 1.

Although the first UHS lining systems were applied to ships in the mid-90s, an update to the MIL-PRF-23236 specification triggered their widespread use. The new MIL-PRF-23236 set stringent coating testing standards designed to prove durability. The specification also outlined key compositional requirements, like VOCs and toxic chemical composition, for a Type VII UHS lining. To comply with the specification, the lining had to meet the following application and test requirements noted in Figure 2 (there is also a requirement for UV fluorescence for Type VII primers to help identify holidays).

FIGURE 1: SOLVENT-FREE EPOXY PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Requirement Long service life

How Dura-Plate UHS Meets Performance Requirement - Chemical resistance
- Edge retention
- Flexibility

Requirement Ease of inspection

How Dura-Plate UHS Meets Performance Requirement Opti-Check™ Optically Active Pigments (OAP) inspection

Requirement Cure time

How Dura-Plate UHS Meets Performance Requirement 10 days at 50°F (Grade C)

Requirement Application

How Dura-Plate UHS Meets Performance Requirement Formulated for single leg and single coat to increase throughput and reduce waste

Requirement Cross-market capability

How Dura-Plate UHS Meets Performance Requirement Meets rigorous demands of oil & gas and water/wastewater markets

FIGURE 2: KEY PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR MIL-PRF-23236

Test Requirement Immersion Resistance

Details Class 5: Immersion test for fuel and seawater ballast exposure

Test Requirement Ballast testing

Details Class 7: Dedicated saltwater ballast cycling testing (choice of cycles)

Test Requirement Resistance to fuel

Details Class 5: Immersion test for fuel, long term at 90°F

Test Requirement Effect on jet fuels

Details Class 5: Generally accepted as one of the most stringent aviation fuel tests, including the effect the lining has on color, corrosion, gum (critical for jet engines) and other contaminants

Test Requirement Cathodic protection

Details For immersion-grade linings in accordance with standardsection 3.5

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS FAST-CLAD® ER
Although Dura-Plate UHS was considered a field success after its release, the team at Sherwin-Williams knew what features were needed for the next generation of UHS tank linings – fast return to service combined with low-temperature cure.

In 2004, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities and technology, Sherwin-Williams launched Fast-Clad ER – a polymer resin system optimized for a fast cure without compromising chemical resistance or flexibility, a key requirement for long lining life. Fast-Clad ER is an edge-retentive, ultra-high solids epoxy amine coating engineered for immersion service in fuel/seawater ballast tanks and petroleum storage tanks that can be applied in a single coat. This UHS lining is suitable for low-temperature applications and cures at 25°F (-3°C).

Fast-Clad ER’s formulation is balanced to maintain required application properties over a range of film thicknesses and edge retention (>70%).

Plural application equipment is required to apply Fast-Clad ER due to the product’s material characteristics. In lining applications, the use of plural equipment has the following benefits:

No risk of losing equipment due to high reactivity
Reduced waste – only mix what is needed
Health and safety – no manual mixing of individual components required
Faster productivity – continuous application without the need to stop and “mix”

Opti-Check OAP technology is built into the Fast-Clad ER system to optimize application and to reduce the reliance on high voltage spark testing. This technology is especially beneficial in maintenance applications where pitting is common. Sherwin-Williams was the first supplier to use eye safe deep purple inspection light technology. This technology, when used by experienced technical service representatives, enables a 50-75% faster inspection rate with a higher rate (>25%) of defect detection compared to other visual methods.

The superior performance and cure characteristics of Fast-Clad ER have made it a popular protective lining for the following reasons:

Excellent barrier properties
High chemical resistance
Pit-filling capabilities (many tanks in need of maintenance) of both Fast-Clad ER primer and build coat
High flexibility to withstand the stresses of frequent loading and unloading
Enhanced inspection using Opti-Check OAP technology

See Appendix A for further testing information.

FAST-CLAD ER IN THE FIELD
Although it is critical to meet key laboratory test requirements such as those demanded in MIL-PRF-23236, it is equally important for a coating to perform in the field. A case study conducted in 2006 on the USS Carter Hall demonstrated the benefits of single-coat linings over traditional systems, showing a reduction in overall application and inspection time from 216 hours (standard coating) to 35 hours (single-layer rapid-cure lining with fluorescent additive).

In 2019, Sherwin-WIlliam was part of a team that received "The Military Coatings Project Award of Excellence" by SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings for the USS George Washington super carrier. The award recognizes exceptional coatings work performed on U.S. military ships, structures or facilities. More than 100 tanks designed to hold ballast, chemicals, fuel, water and waste within the ship were coated with Fast Clad ER.

See below collection of photos for more Fast-Clad ER marine application images.

OVER TWENTY YEARS OF PROVEN PERFORMANCE
Superior test data alone does not convey how a lining will perform. An extensive, proven track record with authenticated results is critical and the primary indication of field success. Sherwin-Williams Dura-Plate UHS and Fast-Clad ER have demonstrated consistent performance in protective and marine markets since their respective innovations in 1997 and 2004.

With the development of cutting-edge solvent-free coatings and linings, Sherwin-Williams has been able to provide exceptional corrosion protection, improve inspection processes, reduce downtime and labor costs, and increase asset service life.

Lining not formulated for edge retention before UHS technology

Superior edge retention of
Fast-Clad ER

Identification of pinholes using Opti-Check OAP Technology in
critical weld areas

APPENDIX A: TESTING AND APPROVAL SUMMARY – SHERWIN-WILLIAMS FAST-CLAD ER

TEST METHOD Thick Film Cracking

CONDITIONS 3 x standard thickness

74 cycles (148 days) as follows:
• 1h: heating from +68°F to +140°F
• 6h: exposure at +140°F
• 1h: cooling from +140°F to +68°F
• 16h: conditioning at +68°F
• 1h: cooling from +68°F to -4°F
• 6 h: exposure at -4 °F

RESULT No degradation

COMMENTS No cracking or other degradation observed – shows the superior toughness

TEST METHOD NACE RP0394

CONDITIONS 4-point bend test, in accordance with NACE RP0394, Appendix H, Procedure B

RESULT Average 4.6%

COMMENTS Demonstrates the high flexibility of Fast-Clad ER and tolerance to movement seen in service

TEST METHOD Adhesion to Steel - ASTM D4541

CONDITIONS

RESULT >21 MPa, 3000psi (unexposed)

COMMENTS >10MPa, 1450psi, is accepted as the norm for performance linings

TEST METHOD Two-Phase Immersion

CONDITIONS Half immersion in crude oil and 3% sodium chloride at 122°F for 6 months

RESULT Passed with a post-test adhesion average > 13MPa, 1890psi, in the water phase

COMMENTS >10MPa, 1450psi, is accepted as the norm for performance linings

TEST METHOD Aviation Fuel Immersion

CONDITIONS As per the method in ASTM D6943 12 months immersion in jet fuel at 120°F

RESULT No degradation

COMMENTS Demonstrates long-term immersion performance

TEST METHOD Impact Testing

CONDITIONS ISO 6272-1

RESULT Average 11.7 joules, 8.63 lbf

COMMENTS High impact tolerance

TEST METHOD Cathodic Protection

CONDITIONS ASTM G8-96

RESULT <10 mm disbonding

COMMENTS Excellent tolerance to exposure to cathodic protection systems

TEST METHOD Edge Retention

CONDITIONS MIL-PRF-23236C

RESULT >70%

COMMENTS A minimum of 70% is required, which is exceeded – showing excellent edge coverage

TEST METHOD Low-Temperature Cure

CONDITIONS Various tests – lining cured down to 25°F

RESULT Excellent performance

COMMENTS Basis for Class A Mil approval

TEST METHOD MIL-PRF-23236

CONDITIONS Type VII, Class 5/18, 7/18, 13/18, and 17/18, Grades A, B, C

RESULT a. Type VII
b. Class 5/18 (single coat fuel)
c. 7/18 (single coat ballast)
d. 13/18 (single coat CHT)
e. 17/18 (single coat bilge)
f. Grade A, B, and C

COMMENTS Versatile coating and lining in the marine market

TEST METHOD Shell TAMAP

CONDITIONS Shell DEP testing FT5 N/M

RESULT Approved for diesel storage

COMMENTS

Skip carousel content