ITC 213: Ceramic Metal Coating for Corrosion, Oxidation, and High-Temperature Protection

ITC 213: Ceramic Coating for Metal and Graphite Substrates

ITC 213 is a high-performance ceramic coating engineered specifically for metal and graphite surfaces exposed to high temperatures, corrosion, oxidation, and erosion in industrial environments. Applied at just 3–5 mils thickness, ITC 213 creates an inorganic ceramic bond with the metal substrate that provides superior protection against H₂S/CO₂ corrosion, thermal fatigue, chemical attack, and oxidation. In the oil and gas industry, ITC 213 is marketed as IronHide™. Independent testing to ASTM and NACE standards has demonstrated adhesion strength of 1,810–2,230 PSI and zero iron oxide formation after 90 days of sour gas exposure.

What ITC 213 Does

ITC 213 creates a permanent ceramic barrier between the metal surface and its operating environment. Unlike organic coatings (paints, epoxies, polyurethanes) that degrade under heat and chemical exposure, ITC 213 is an inorganic ceramic that bonds to the metal at the molecular level. It does not burn off, melt, blister, or chemically degrade under the conditions that destroy conventional coatings.

Corrosion Protection: ITC 213 prevents corrosive media (H₂S, CO₂, acids, alkali chlorides, sulphates) from contacting the metal surface, eliminating the corrosion mechanism entirely.

Oxidation Protection: The ceramic barrier prevents oxygen from reaching the metal surface at elevated temperatures, stopping high-temperature oxidation and scale formation.

Thermal Fatigue Resistance: ITC 213 absorbs and distributes thermal stress across the coated surface, reducing the cyclic stress that causes metal fatigue and cracking in high-temperature service.

Erosion Resistance: The hard ceramic surface resists abrasion from particulate, catalyst, flyash, and other erosive media in industrial gas streams.

Technical Specifications

Application Method: Spray, brush, or roller

Application Thickness: 3–5 mils

Coverage Rate: Approximately 300–350 sq ft/gallon

VOC Content: Zero — no volatile organic compounds

Curing: Cures in place during normal equipment heat-up. No separate curing required.

Surface Preparation: Clean metal surface. Mechanical cleaning or light blasting is sufficient — no heavy abrasive blasting required.

Compatible Substrates

ITC 213 is designed for application to:

• Carbon steel (all grades)
• Stainless steel (304, 316, 321, 347, 410, and other grades)
• Inconel and nickel alloys (601, 625, 718, etc.)
• Chrome-moly steels
• Graphite and carbon
• Cast iron
• Copper alloys (for specific applications)

Independent Test Results

ASTM D4541 — Adhesion Strength

Pull-off adhesion testing on steel I-beam measured 1,810–2,230 PSI across four test dollies at 3.9–5.4 mil coating thickness. In every test, the adhesive failed before the coating — meaning ITC 213's actual bond strength exceeds the test's ability to measure it. Less than 5% coating removal on any dolly. These results far exceed industry standards for protective coatings.

Dixie Testing — 30-Day Sour Gas (NACE Standards)

Rocker arm specimen exposed to H₂S/CO₂ sour gas at 306 PSI and 220°F for 30 continuous days. Coating thickness: 4.0 mils before, 4.0 mils after (zero loss). Wall thickness: 0.242" before, 0.241" after (zero measurable metal loss).

Dixie Testing — 90-Day OXY Qualification Protocol

Rocker arm specimen tested to Occidental Petroleum (OXY) qualification standards: 90 continuous days at 486 PSI and 220°F in H₂S/CO₂ sour gas. Results:

• Coating thickness: 1.7 to 1.6 mils (0.1 mil loss over 90 days)
• Blister rating: 10 (perfect — no blisters)
• No iron oxide present
• Tested to ASTM D714, ASTM D6677, NACE TM0384, modified NACE MR0175/ISO, and multiple additional NACE standards

Anchor Corrosion Testing — Alkali Chloride/Sulphate (900°C)

ITC 213 was tested on 7 steel grades at 900°C for 5 hours in a NaSO₄/NaCl corrosive mix simulating alternative fuel environments in cement kilns, WTE, and power plants:

• Uncoated Inconel 601: "Terrible" (completely corroded)
• ITC-coated Inconel 601: "Acceptable" (retained structure)
• AISI 304: Improved from "Excellent" to "Outstanding"
• AISI 316: Improved from "Acceptable" to "Outstanding"
• Every steel grade improved at least one quality level with ITC 213 coating

Industries and Applications

Oil & Gas: Firetubes, heater treaters, tank batteries, gun barrels, valves, fittings, wastewater recovery equipment. Marketed as IronHide™ for oilfield applications. Proven against H₂S/CO₂ sour gas corrosion at up to 486 PSI.

Steel: Water-cooled panels, EAF delta sections, water-cooled roofs, exhaust ducts, electrodes, skid pipes, ladle shells (interior coating to prevent molten iron breakouts).

Cement & Lime: Stainless steel refractory anchors (protects against alkali chloride/sulphate corrosion from alternative fuels), kiln shell exteriors, baghouse steel structures.

Waste-to-Energy & Power: Baghouse steel shells, HRSG tubes and casings, SDA internals, economizer surfaces, ductwork — anywhere steel is exposed to acid dew point corrosion from flue gas condensation.

Petrochemical: Boiler tubes, heat exchanger shells, flue gas ductwork, structural steel in corrosive atmospheres.

Forge & Foundry: Furnace shells, door frames, ladle exteriors, any metal component exposed to high temperature or oxidation.

ITC 213 vs. Conventional Protective Coatings

• Thickness: ITC 213 at 3–5 mils vs. conventional coatings at 15–30+ mils
• Surface Prep: Light mechanical cleaning vs. heavy abrasive blasting
• Chemistry: Inorganic ceramic (won't burn off) vs. organic (degrades under heat)
• Adhesion: 1,810–2,230 PSI vs. typically 500–1,500 PSI for conventional coatings
• VOCs: Zero vs. significant for most solvent-based coatings
• Heat Resistance: Designed for high-temperature service vs. limited to 300–500°F for most organics

Frequently Asked Questions: ITC 213

How thin can ITC 213 be applied?

ITC 213 is effective at 3–5 mils thickness. This is significantly thinner than conventional protective coatings (15–30+ mils), reducing application time, material cost, and drying time.

Will ITC 213 stick to steel?

Yes. ASTM D4541 testing measured 1,810–2,230 PSI adhesion strength. The test adhesive failed before the coating in every test — meaning ITC 213's actual bond strength exceeds the measurement capability of the standard adhesion test.

Can ITC 213 handle sour gas (H₂S/CO₂)?

Yes. ITC 213 passed 90-day sour gas testing at 486 PSI and 220°F to Occidental Petroleum qualification standards. The coating showed zero iron oxide, a perfect blister rating of 10, and only 0.1 mil of coating loss over the entire 90-day exposure.

Does ITC 213 work on stainless steel?

Yes. ITC 213 has been tested on multiple stainless steel grades including AISI 304, 316, 321, and others. In alkali chloride/sulphate corrosion testing at 900°C, ITC-coated stainless steels consistently outperformed uncoated samples by at least one quality level.

Can ITC 213 replace expensive alloys?

In many cases, yes. ITC 213 coating on lower-cost steel grades can provide equal or better corrosion resistance than expensive uncoated alloys. In the anchor corrosion testing, ITC-coated AISI 304 ("Outstanding") outperformed uncoated Inconel 601 ("Terrible"). This enables significant material cost savings by using cheaper base metals with ITC 213 protection.

What is IronHide™?

IronHide™ is the brand name for ITC 213 in the oil and gas industry, marketed by JTEX Energy Specialties for oilfield corrosion protection applications. It is the same ITC 213 ceramic coating, positioned specifically for firetube, heater treater, and oilfield equipment protection.

Order ITC 213: Contact ITC Coatings at info@itccoatings.com or call 904.759.0152
Oilfield applications: JTEX Energy Specialties | 432.301.6412