We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Materials

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Coal Tar Epoxy?

By Marlene Garcia
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 28,525
Share

Coal tar epoxy is a protective coating consisting of tar, fillers, a gelling agent, and a curing agent. The substance wards off corrosion on equipment used in or near fresh or salt water. It is also resistant to some mild chemicals, acids, and alkali solutions in extreme environments.

Epoxy resins allow for expansion and contraction in coal tar epoxy applications. The mixture also adheres to oily surfaces, making it suitable for painting onto garage floors or applying on underground petroleum tanks and pipelines. Other storage tanks buried underground, such as septic tank systems, can also be treated with this type of epoxy to extend their lives.

One common use of this epoxy involves coating the hulls of ships. The protective coating repels water and protects against tide action that can lead to corrosion. Docks are often coated with the material to guard against deterioration from salt or fresh water.

Industrial uses of coal tar epoxy include protecting metal equipment used in sewage treatment plants and in food industries where pickling brine is used. Chemical waste pipes can also be coated with the material to increase the life of the equipment. Manufacturers who use weak acids to produce goods typically use coal tar epoxy to protect against chemical immersion.

Coal tar comes from crude coke that is distilled using extremely high temperatures. The pitch created from this process is mixed with epoxy polymer resins and other ingredients, and is purchased in two parts. Before use, the coal tar and epoxy mixtures are combined, causing a chemical reaction between the base product and the hardening substance.

The mixture can be sprayed or brushed onto cement, metal, or asbestos. The first coat should be allowed to dry for about 10 hours before a second coat is applied. The curing process typically takes about a week.

Protective goggles and skin protection are advised while applying the substance. Proper ventilation is also suggested to avoid breathing vapors that smell like asphalt. Coal tar epoxy can also stain the skin.

Tar has been used as a sealant for hundreds of years. In the 1700s, the Chumash Indians of coastal California used natural tar that washed ashore to seal canoes and waterproof baskets. The canoes were called tomals, and were used to travel up and down the coast and to nearby islands. Although the Chumash tribe no longer seals canoes with the tar, it continues to appear on beaches in the region.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By nony — On Dec 04, 2011

@everetra - Be sure to read up on how to apply those epoxy kits first. They’re not all created equal. From what I understand, the water based epoxies don’t produce as good a finish as what you see in the pictures you saw online.

Find something that is solid based. There is also a certain amount of preparation work that you need to do before applying the epoxy coating, and there may be additional work you have to do to paint it.

I don’t know exactly, but spend some time researching it instead of grabbing the first kit you find on the store shelves. If you don’t do it right, you can actually end up messing up the finish when you drive your tires across the finished floor.

By everetra — On Dec 03, 2011

My garage floor is ugly because of a lot of oil leaks and junk. It’s not a big deal, but it’s not pleasant to look at. I had been planning to do some household makeover projects but had no idea that you could actually do stuff with your garage floor to make it look good.

Then one day while searching online I saw some epoxy flooring paint stuff that you could put on your garage floor and I was blown away by the pictures. The resin applies a lustrous sheen to the floor and makes it look better than new.

I am definitely going to buy some of that stuff and redo my garage flooring, in addition to all of the other household projects I am working on.

Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-coal-tar-epoxy.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.