December 1, 2023

Tnemec Company, Inc., a manufacturer of high-performance protective coatings, has launched its HullClad line of coatings designed to protect ships and vessel hulls in the harshest underwater marine environments.

“Every boat owner knows the issues marine fouling can cause to their vessel,” said Andy Margarit, the marine market director at Tnemec. “If it’s not properly addressed, layers of slime, barnacles, and marine growth can increase fuel consumption, affect top speed, or make the boat harder to maneuver.”

To combat the overall degradation of a vessel’s performance, Tnemec’s HullClad line of coatings is specially formulated for effective fouling prevention. The high-performance coating system includes Series 190 Epoxy Primer, Series 191 HullClad TC, an epoxy tiecoat, and antifouling paints Series 194 and 195 HullClad CU.

Series 191 HullClad TC is a tiecoat specifically designed to give extended recoat windows for the shipyard or applicator to overcoat with an approved antifoul coating. Series 191 offers contractors up to five days to apply the approved antifoul topcoat, aiding in the proper application of the entire bottom paint system.

Series 194 and 195 HullClad antifouling paints are self-polishing coatings. As a vessel travels through the water, a new layer of biocide within the coating is exposed, thus continuously keeping the bottom paint performing effectively and protecting the substrate.

Other features and benefits include a service life of up to 60 months, low VOC and high-volume solids, easy brush, roll, or spray applications, and easy reapplication with minimal surface preparation.