MasterEmaco® P 130
Two-component, solvent-borne zinc-rich epoxy primer giving steel reinforcement active galvanic protection before repair mortars are placed.
MasterEmaco® P 130 at a glance
The essentials specifiers and contractors ask first — answered straight from the product data, with links to go deeper.
What is it?
MasterEmaco P 130 (formerly Concresive ZRi) is a two-component, solvent-borne, zinc-rich epoxy primer for steel. Supplied as a thick grey, paint-like liquid, it bonds to prepared steel to give active galvanic (sacrificial) corrosion protection, and is formulated to meet the scope of BS 4652 Type 2.
Where is it used?
It is applied to exposed steel reinforcing bars in concrete repair work, used as a touch-up primer on damaged galvanised metal, and used as a primer for steel substrates before a suitable top coat — typically where chloride-induced corrosion is a risk.
Why use it?
With a dry-film zinc content above 84% by weight, the zinc corrodes preferentially to the steel (galvanic action), actively protecting the bar rather than merely sealing it — valuable in chloride-laden environments where ordinary cementitious passivation is at risk.
How is it applied?
Grit-blast or wire-brush the steel clean and dry, mix base and hardener 4:1 by volume, then brush onto the bar ensuring full coverage including the back face; apply a second coat if a continuous film is not achieved, and place the repair mortar once the primer is dry.
Key advantages
- Active galvanic (sacrificial) protection of steel, not merely a passive barrier — the zinc corrodes in place of the bar
- High dry-film zinc loading of over 84% by weight for dependable corrosion resistance in chloride-laden environments
- Strong epoxy adhesion to blast-cleaned or wire-brushed steel, forming a continuous protective film around the bar
- Fast turnaround — tack-free in about 25 minutes and overcoatable in 6-8 hours at 25°C, keeping repair sequences moving
- Generous 120-minute pot life at 25°C giving workable time for hand-brushed application around congested reinforcement
- Compatible first coat beneath MasterEmaco repair mortars and micro-concretes in a single-supplier repair system
- Formulated to meet the scope of BS 4652 Type 2, a recognised standard for zinc-rich priming paints
- Versatile — also serves as a touch-up primer for damaged galvanised metal and a primer for steel before top-coating
Specifications
- Product type: Two-component, solvent-borne zinc-rich epoxy primer for steel (thick grey, paint-like liquid)
- Total zinc content in dry film: Greater than 84% by weight
- Mixed density: 2.4 ± 0.1 kg/litre
- Volume solids: 57 ± 3%
- Mixing ratio (by volume): 4 base : 1 hardener
- Dry film thickness: Greater than 50 microns per coat
- Pot life: 120 minutes at 25°C
- Tack-free time: 25 minutes at 25°C (10 minutes at 40°C)
- Recoat / overcoat time: 6-8 hours at 25°C (2-4 hours at 40°C)
- Application temperature: Minimum 10°C, maximum 40°C
- Coverage (smooth substrates): Approximately 8-10 m² per 1-litre pack per coat
- Coverage (on rebar, running metre/litre/coat): 8 mm: 210-265; 12 mm: 140-175; 16 mm: 105-135; 25 mm: 85-115; 32 mm: 55-65
- Standard: Formulated to meet the scope of BS 4652, Type 2
- Packaging: Two-component system supplied in 1-litre combined unit
- Shelf life / storage: Six months stored under cover, out of direct sunlight and protected from temperature extremes (air-conditioned storage in tropical climates)
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About MasterEmaco® P 130
A plain-language overview of what MasterEmaco® P 130 is, the problem it solves and how Space Arc Engineering positions it in a specification.
MasterEmaco P 130 is the zinc-rich epoxy rebar primer in the Master Builders Solutions concrete-repair system (formerly BASF Construction Chemicals, where the product was earlier sold as Concresive ZRi). It is a two-component, solvent-borne epoxy supplied as a thick grey liquid of paint-like consistency. Its core job is to actively protect exposed reinforcement before a patch repair, micro-concrete or repair mortar is placed over it — most importantly where chloride attack on the steel is likely, such as coastal, marine and de-icing-salt environments. Space Arc supplies P 130 and supports applicators with selection, sequencing and on-site method guidance.
What distinguishes a zinc-rich primer from an ordinary epoxy or cementitious bonding coat is the mechanism of protection. P 130 carries more than 84% zinc by weight in the dry film, so the zinc behaves as a sacrificial anode: it corrodes preferentially to the steel and keeps the bar cathodically protected even at small holidays or pinholes in the film. This is genuine active protection, not just a barrier. The manufacturer formulates the product to meet the scope of BS 4652 Type 2 (the British Standard for zinc-rich priming paints).
P 130 is intended to be used as part of a sequence, not as a stand-alone finish. The TDS is explicit that it is not designed as a finished coating: although it protects the steel for a period, it should be overcoated (with the repair mortar or a suitable top coat) as soon as practical, particularly in aggressive environments. Used correctly within a MasterEmaco repair build-up, it is a fast, dependable first line of defence for embedded steel.
The technical insight
Why MasterEmaco® P 130 behaves the way it does — the mechanism behind the performance, in specifier-friendly terms.
P 130 protects by galvanic (cathodic) action. Because zinc is more electronegative than iron, the densely loaded zinc film (>84% zinc by weight in the dry film) becomes the anode in any corrosion cell and oxidises in place of the steel, so the bar stays protected even where the film is locally thin or breached. This is fundamentally different from a passive barrier primer, which only protects for as long as the film is intact and unbroken. The epoxy resin binder carries and bonds the zinc, gives the strong adhesion to blast-cleaned steel that the film needs to function, and provides chemical and moisture resistance during the service interval before overcoating. Volume solids are 57 ± 3%, and the product builds at greater than 50 microns dry film thickness per coat.
Being two-component and solvent-borne, performance depends on correct gauging and timing. The base and hardener are mixed 4:1 by volume; once combined the material has a usable pot life of about 120 minutes at 25°C, becomes tack-free in roughly 25 minutes at 25°C (10 minutes at 40°C), and can be recoated/overcoated after 6-8 hours at 25°C (2-4 hours at 40°C). The narrow application window — minimum 10°C, maximum 40°C — and the solvent base mean it should be used on dry, contaminant-free steel, with attention to ventilation. Because protection is sacrificial, the priority on site is a continuous, fully encapsulating film, especially on the back face of bars where coverage is easily missed.
Where MasterEmaco® P 130 is used
Typical applications MasterEmaco® P 130 is specified for, supplied by Space Arc Engineering across Delhi NCR, Ghaziabad, Noida and Uttar Pradesh.
- Active corrosion protection of exposed steel reinforcing bars in concrete patch and structural repairs
- Rebar priming in chloride-exposed structures such as coastal, marine and de-icing-salt environments
- Touch-up priming of damaged galvanised metalwork
- Priming of steel substrates prior to a suitable top coating
- First-coat rebar protection within MasterEmaco repair-mortar and micro-concrete build-ups
- Protection of reinforcement exposed during break-out and reinstatement of spalled or delaminated concrete
Key advantages
The properties that make MasterEmaco® P 130 the right choice — drawn from the manufacturer's product literature.
- Active galvanic (sacrificial) protection of steel, not merely a passive barrier — the zinc corrodes in place of the bar
- High dry-film zinc loading of over 84% by weight for dependable corrosion resistance in chloride-laden environments
- Strong epoxy adhesion to blast-cleaned or wire-brushed steel, forming a continuous protective film around the bar
- Fast turnaround — tack-free in about 25 minutes and overcoatable in 6-8 hours at 25°C, keeping repair sequences moving
- Generous 120-minute pot life at 25°C giving workable time for hand-brushed application around congested reinforcement
- Compatible first coat beneath MasterEmaco repair mortars and micro-concretes in a single-supplier repair system
- Formulated to meet the scope of BS 4652 Type 2, a recognised standard for zinc-rich priming paints
- Versatile — also serves as a touch-up primer for damaged galvanised metal and a primer for steel before top-coating
Limitations & considerations
Where MasterEmaco® P 130 is not the right answer. Check these constraints from the manufacturer before specifying — using it outside its scope is the most common cause of failure.
- Not a finished coating — the TDS states it is not designed as a final finish and must be overcoated (mortar or top coat) as soon as possible, especially in aggressive environments
- Performance depends on proper surface preparation: steel must be grit-blasted or wire-brushed free of corrosion, oil, grease and dust, and must be dry, or galvanic protection and adhesion are compromised
- Solvent-borne and supplied in a narrow application window (10°C to 40°C); needs adequate ventilation and is unsuitable for cold or very hot conditions outside this range
- Small 1-litre combined pack and a short six-month shelf life mean it is best ordered to the job and stored cool, dry and out of direct sunlight (air-conditioned storage in tropical climates)
- It protects the steel only; it does not repair section loss, reinstate cover or bond the new mortar by itself — it is one step within a full concrete-repair build-up
Selection & best practice
How to decide whether MasterEmaco® P 130 fits your job — and how to apply it so the repair lasts.
Specify P 130 when you are reinstating concrete around exposed, corroding reinforcement and need active protection of the steel before the patch is placed — particularly in chloride-exposed structures (coastal, marine, de-icing-salt or carbonated-and-chloride-contaminated concrete) where simple cementitious passivation may not be enough. Because it gives sacrificial galvanic protection, it is the right choice over a plain barrier primer where film continuity cannot be guaranteed at every point. It is the natural rebar primer ahead of MasterEmaco repair mortars and micro-concretes, keeping the repair within one compatible system. If you instead need a cementitious (polymer-modified) anti-corrosion coat, an all-in-one bonding-plus-anti-corrosion product, or a finished protective coating for the visible surface, those are different specifications — ask Space Arc for the appropriate product and its TDS.
Application best practice
- Prepare the steel properly first: grit-blast or wire-brush to remove all corrosion, ensure no oil, grease or dust remains, and confirm the surface is dry before priming
- Prime immediately after preparation — do not leave blast-cleaned or prepared steel uncoated, as fresh rust will quickly re-form and undermine adhesion
- Mix correctly: stir each component, add hardener to base at 4:1 by volume and blend with a slow-speed drill and paddle to a uniform colour before applying
- Brush to a uniform, full-coverage film, paying particular attention to the back face of bars and congested zones where coverage is easily missed
- Apply a second coat immediately after the first has dried if a continuous film is in doubt, and overcoat with the repair mortar as soon as the primer is dry rather than leaving it exposed
- Work within 10-40°C, allow for the shorter tack-free and recoat times at higher temperatures, and clean tools with the recommended cleaning solvent immediately after use
Specifications
Indicative properties from the manufacturer's literature. Always confirm batch-specific values against the current TDS before specification.
| Product type | Two-component, solvent-borne zinc-rich epoxy primer for steel (thick grey, paint-like liquid) |
|---|---|
| Total zinc content in dry film | Greater than 84% by weight |
| Mixed density | 2.4 ± 0.1 kg/litre |
| Volume solids | 57 ± 3% |
| Mixing ratio (by volume) | 4 base : 1 hardener |
| Dry film thickness | Greater than 50 microns per coat |
| Pot life | 120 minutes at 25°C |
| Tack-free time | 25 minutes at 25°C (10 minutes at 40°C) |
| Recoat / overcoat time | 6-8 hours at 25°C (2-4 hours at 40°C) |
| Application temperature | Minimum 10°C, maximum 40°C |
| Coverage (smooth substrates) | Approximately 8-10 m² per 1-litre pack per coat |
| Coverage (on rebar, running metre/litre/coat) | 8 mm: 210-265; 12 mm: 140-175; 16 mm: 105-135; 25 mm: 85-115; 32 mm: 55-65 |
| Standard | Formulated to meet the scope of BS 4652, Type 2 |
| Packaging | Two-component system supplied in 1-litre combined unit |
| Shelf life / storage | Six months stored under cover, out of direct sunlight and protected from temperature extremes (air-conditioned storage in tropical climates) |
Coverage, dosage, pack sizes and cure times vary with substrate and conditions — request the full TDS for certified technical data.
Industry use cases
Real-world scenarios where MasterEmaco® P 130 is the practical choice — the teams who reach for it and the jobs it does for them.
- Repair of corrosion-damaged reinforced concrete in coastal and marine structures where chloride attack is active
- Bridge, flyover and infrastructure concrete-repair contracts requiring sacrificial protection of exposed rebar
- Industrial and water-retaining concrete repairs where reinforcement has been exposed by spalling
- Car-park, basement and podium slab patch repairs in salt- or moisture-laden environments
- Touch-up and priming of structural steel and galvanised metal in building and plant maintenance
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about specifying and sourcing MasterEmaco® P 130.
What is MasterEmaco P 130 used for?
It is a zinc-rich epoxy primer applied to cleaned, exposed steel reinforcement to give active corrosion protection before MasterEmaco repair mortars or micro-concretes are placed. It also works as a touch-up primer for damaged galvanised metal and as a primer for steel substrates before top-coating. It was formerly sold as Concresive ZRi.
How does it actually protect the steel?
Its dry film contains more than 84% zinc by weight. Zinc is more reactive than steel, so it corrodes preferentially and protects the bar by galvanic (sacrificial) action — active protection that continues even at small breaks in the film, rather than just a passive barrier. This is especially valuable where chlorides are present.
What is the mixing ratio, pot life and overcoating time?
Mix base and hardener at 4:1 by volume. Pot life is about 120 minutes at 25°C, it is tack-free in around 25 minutes at 25°C (10 minutes at 40°C), and it can be overcoated after 6-8 hours at 25°C (2-4 hours at 40°C). Repair mortars can be applied as soon as the primer is dry.
How much does one pack cover?
Each 1-litre pack covers roughly 8-10 m² per coat on smooth substrates. On reinforcement, coverage depends on bar diameter — about 210-265 running metres per litre for 8 mm bars, falling to 55-65 running metres for 32 mm bars (12 mm: 140-175; 16 mm: 105-135; 25 mm: 85-115). Add the back-face area when estimating.
Can it be left as the final coat on the steel?
No. The manufacturer states P 130 is not designed as a finished coating. Although it protects the steel for a period, the bar should be overcoated — with the repair mortar or a suitable top coat — as soon as possible, particularly in aggressive environments. Do not leave prepared steel uncoated after blasting either.
What surface preparation does it need?
The steel should be grit-blasted or wire-brushed to remove all corrosion, with no oil, grease or dust present, and the surface must be dry. Prime immediately after preparation to prevent fresh contamination or rust forming, and ensure full coverage including the back face of bars.
How is it packaged and stored, and who supplies it in India?
It is a two-component system supplied in a 1-litre combined unit, with a six-month shelf life when stored under cover, out of direct sunlight and protected from temperature extremes (air-conditioned storage in tropical climates). Space Arc Engineering supplies MasterEmaco P 130 in India — contact us for pricing, the current TDS and the MSDS.
References
Manufacturer and technical sources this page draws on. Always confirm current data against the live TDS before specification.
Source MasterEmaco® P 130 for your project
Space Arc Engineering is an authorised distributor for Master Builders Solutions, serving Delhi NCR, Ghaziabad, Noida and Uttar Pradesh. Talk to us for pricing, the technical data sheet and on-site support.
Or email info@space-arc.com · www.space-arc.com
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