Fosroc Nitocote EP110
Two-component epoxy-polyamide micaceous iron oxide (MIO) intermediate coat that builds the corrosion-resistant core of multi-coat protective systems on steel and concrete.
What is it?
A two-component, epoxy-polyamide micaceous iron oxide (MIO) intermediate (middle) coat that forms the protective core of a multi-layer anti-corrosive paint system on steel and concrete.
Where is it used?
Structural steelwork, plant and process equipment, bridges, pipelines, water-retaining structures and aggressive industrial environments where a high-build barrier coat is specified between primer and finish.
Why use it?
The lamellar MIO pigment reinforces the film and lengthens the moisture and ion diffusion path, giving durable corrosion protection at economical cost while remaining easy to apply by brush, roller or spray.
How is it applied?
Site-mix the two packs in the supplied ratio, then apply over a cured Fosroc epoxy/zinc primer at 175 microns WFT (about 110 microns DFT) by airless spray, brush or roller, and overcoat with an epoxy or polyurethane finish.
About Fosroc Nitocote EP110
Fosroc Nitocote EP110 is a two-component protective coating built around an epoxy-polyamide binder pigmented with micaceous iron oxide (MIO). It is designed to sit in the middle of a multi-coat protective scheme: applied over a suitable Fosroc primer and beneath a weather-resistant finish, it acts as the high-build barrier layer that does the heavy lifting on corrosion control. The product is supplied as a base and hardener in pre-weighed packs, mixed on site immediately before use, and is offered in 4 litre and 20 litre pack sizes for both small touch-up jobs and large structural contracts.\n\nThe defining feature of EP110 is its MIO pigmentation. Micaceous iron oxide consists of flat, plate-like (lamellar) particles that orient themselves parallel to the substrate as the film cures. These overlapping platelets force water, oxygen and aggressive ions to travel a long, tortuous path before they can reach the steel, which substantially slows the onset of corrosion compared with a conventional pigmented epoxy of the same thickness. The same lamellar structure mechanically reinforces the coating, improving its resistance to cracking, UV degradation of the binder and general weathering, which is why MIO intermediate coats remain an industry workhorse on bridges, transmission towers, refineries and process plant.\n\nFor specifiers and contractors in India, EP110 is positioned as the dependable, cost-effective core of a Fosroc-engineered corrosion system rather than a stand-alone finish. It is rarely used in isolation: the correct primer (typically a Fosroc epoxy or zinc-rich primer) provides adhesion and active protection, EP110 provides the durable barrier and build, and a Fosroc epoxy or polyurethane topcoat provides colour, gloss retention and UV/chemical resistance. Specified and applied as a system, EP110 delivers long-maintenance-interval protection on assets that are expensive to take out of service for re-coating.
The technical insight
EP110’s performance comes from two mechanisms working together. First, the epoxy-polyamide binder gives strong adhesion to steel and concrete, good water resistance and reliable site cure across the temperature range found on Indian projects. Second, the micaceous iron oxide acts as a barrier pigment rather than a sacrificial or inhibitive one: because the MIO platelets lie flat and overlap, they multiply the effective diffusion path length through the film, so the same nominal dry film thickness resists moisture and ion ingress far better than a film pigmented with spherical fillers. This is why MIO intermediates are specified to a defined dry film thickness (around 110 microns per coat from a 175 micron wet film) and built up in the number of coats the protective scheme demands. A practical consequence is that EP110 should never be relied upon as a one-coat solution or as a UV-stable finish; the binder will chalk on long external exposure, so an aliphatic polyurethane or recoatable epoxy topcoat is used where appearance and weathering matter. As with all two-pack epoxies, the pot life (of the order of a few hours, shorter in hot weather) and the overcoating window are the two numbers that govern site logistics, and both move with ambient temperature.
Where it is used
- Intermediate barrier coat in multi-coat protective systems for structural steelwork
- Corrosion protection of process plant, tanks, vessels and equipment in refineries and chemical plants
- High-build coat on bridges, flyovers, transmission towers and other exposed steel infrastructure
- Protective coating layer on concrete structures in aggressive or marine-influenced environments
- Re-coat / maintenance painting of existing steelwork as part of a Fosroc-specified scheme
- Pipeline and penstock coating where a durable epoxy MIO barrier is required between primer and finish
Key advantages
- Micaceous iron oxide pigmentation gives a long, tortuous barrier path for excellent corrosion resistance
- High-build film allows the protective system to reach specified DFT in fewer coats
- Strong adhesion to steel and concrete from the epoxy-polyamide binder
- Reinforced, weather-resistant film that resists cracking and slows binder breakdown
- Economical core coat that lowers the whole-life cost of the protective system
- Versatile application by airless spray, brush or roller to suit site conditions
- Supplied in pre-weighed 4 and 20 litre packs for consistent on-site mixing
Limitations & considerations
- Not a UV-stable finish coat – the epoxy binder chalks on prolonged sunlight and needs a polyurethane or epoxy topcoat where appearance matters
- Designed as an intermediate coat, so it must be used over a compatible primer, not bare on critical assets
- Two-pack product with a limited pot life that shortens in hot weather, requiring disciplined batch mixing
- Performance depends on correct surface preparation (blast cleaning for steel) and achieving the specified DFT
- Overcoating intervals must be respected; long delays can require abrasion to restore intercoat adhesion
- Lower-temperature and high-humidity cure conditions slow development of full properties
Selection & best practice
Treat EP110 as one layer in a specified Fosroc system, not a stand-alone paint. Prepare steel by abrasive blast cleaning to the specified standard (typically Sa 2.5) and concrete by removing laitance and contamination; prime with the recommended Fosroc primer and let it cure within its overcoating window. Mix the full base and hardener packs together – never split packs – and apply only what can be used within the pot life, which shrinks noticeably above 30 degrees C. Apply at 175 microns wet film to achieve the specified dry film thickness, check WFT with a wet-film comb and confirm DFT after cure. Maintain inter-coat intervals so the finish bonds correctly, and avoid application in rain, on damp surfaces or when the substrate is within 3 degrees C of the dew point. Always overcoat external work with a UV-resistant Fosroc finish. For project-specific DFT, primer/finish selection and consumption, request the current local TDS and a Space Arc system recommendation.
Specifications
| Product type | Two-component epoxy-polyamide micaceous iron oxide (MIO) intermediate coat |
| Role in system | Middle / intermediate barrier coat in multi-coat protective systems |
| Components | 2 (base + hardener), site-mixed in pre-weighed packs |
| Substrates | Steel and concrete (over a suitable primer) |
| Wet film thickness (WFT) | 175 microns per coat |
| Dry film thickness (DFT) | Approx. 110 microns per coat |
| Theoretical coverage | Approx. 4-5 m2 per litre (per coat, before site losses) |
| Pot life | Approx. 4 hours at 35 degrees C (reduces at higher temperatures) |
| Overcoating time | Approx. 6 hours (temperature dependent) |
| Application methods | Airless spray, brush or roller |
| Pack sizes | 4 litre and 20 litre |
| Function | Corrosion-resistant barrier layer in multilayer protection of steel and concrete |
Industry use cases
Infrastructure / Bridges
Specified as the MIO intermediate coat on structural steel bridges, flyovers and gantries, building durable corrosion protection between a zinc/epoxy primer and a polyurethane finish on assets that are costly to re-coat.
Oil, Gas & Petrochemical
Applied to process equipment, structural steel, pipework and tank exteriors in refineries and chemical plants where an economical high-build epoxy barrier is required in aggressive atmospheres.
Power & Utilities
Used on transmission towers, switchyard steel and plant structures as the reinforcing middle coat of long-life protective schemes exposed to weather and industrial pollution.
Water & Wastewater
Forms the barrier layer on steel and concrete in water-retaining and effluent structures as part of a Fosroc-engineered corrosion and protection system.
Marine & Coastal Industrial
Provides the high-build MIO core coat on coastal steelwork and jetty structures where chloride-laden air drives accelerated corrosion and a durable barrier is essential.
Frequently asked questions
What is Fosroc Nitocote EP110 and where does it sit in a coating system?
What thickness and coverage should I expect from EP110?
Can Nitocote EP110 be used as a final/finish coat?
What primer and finish coats are used with EP110?
What is the pot life and how does temperature affect it?
What surface preparation does EP110 need on steel?
What pack sizes does EP110 come in and how do I buy it in India?
How we position Fosroc Nitocote EP110
Nitocote EP110 occupies the intermediate-coat slot in Fosroc’s protective coating range and is best specified as part of a complete system rather than in isolation. Upstream it pairs with Fosroc epoxy or zinc-rich primers; downstream it is overcoated with Fosroc epoxy or polyurethane finishes, and it sits alongside related Nitocote epoxies such as Nitocote EP403 and EP405 (solvent-free epoxy coatings), Nitocote EP140(M), and the Nitocote EPS/EPU and BCS300 systems used for chemical and weather protection. Against the wider market, an MIO epoxy intermediate of this type competes with offerings from Sika (for example Sika epoxy MIO and Sikagard protective coatings), MBS/MYK, Dr. Fixit’s protective coating line and STP Limited’s epoxy MIO systems, as well as dedicated industrial coating houses. EP110’s appeal is the combination of proven MIO barrier performance, easy single-supplier system compatibility with the rest of the Fosroc protective range, and an economical core-coat price point. The right choice depends on the exposure class, the specified DFT and the primer/finish already nominated; Space Arc, as an authorised Fosroc distributor and applicator in Delhi NCR and Pan-India, can build the correct EP110 system or advise on a credible alternative where a different chemistry or warranty is required.
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