Understanding Heat Resistant Coatings: Protecting equipment & surfaces subject to high-temperatures
In demanding industrial operations, equipment and structures are often subjected to intense heat, causing rapid deterioration of surfaces if not properly protected. That’s when heat resistant coatings come into play, including coatings designed to protect substrates in high-temperature environments, preventing corrosion, extending equipment life, and enhancing safety.
Wagon Paints Australia, based in Bayswater North, Melbourne, supply premium-grade coatings tailored for Australian industries. Whether you’re operating in manufacturing, mining, energy, or transport, our Thermaguard® range of high-temperature coatings, delivers the protection and performance your operations need.
What Are Heat Resistant Coatings?
Heat resistant coatings are specifically formulated to endure high temperatures, whilst protecting process equipment and structures—often up to 650°C—from degradation. Unlike conventional paints, these coatings maintain their protective properties in extreme thermal conditions. Many products in the Thermaguard® range also withstand cryogenic temperatures as low as -196°C, making them suitable for applications, within this range.
Preventing Thermal Degradation
Without a high temperature resistant coating or covering, surfaces exposed to extreme heat with fluctuations will deteriorate quickly. Conventional paints may crack and peel, blister, or flake, leaving the substrate exposed to further damage from oxidation, rust, or chemical exposure. The Thermaguard® range uses advanced inorganic polysiloxane chemistry, which provides outstanding resistance to thermal cycling shock and UV degradation as well.
A properly applied high-temperature resistant coating system can significantly extend the life of valuable infrastructure. By providing a barrier to environmental degradation, heat and corrosion, these coatings reduce the frequency and cost of repairs and replacements. Thermaguard™ CUI 650 and Thermaguard™ CUI 300 are specifically formulated to protect and prevent Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) in environments where wet and dry cycling occurs—a leading cause of premature failure leading to corrosion.
Thermaguard™ TIC 400, a thermal insulation coating which provides SafeTouch™ properties according to ISO 13732-1, offering personal protection from hot surfaces. Thermaguard TC 1200 topcoats with a variety of safety colours, with a range up to 650°C.
When selecting a heat resistant coating, consider the following critical factors:
| Feature | What to Look For | Thermaguard® Example |
| Temperature range | Must match or exceed operational temperatures | Thermaguard™ CUI 650 Primer: -196°C to 650°C; TC 1200 Coloured topcoats: -196°C to 650°C |
| Single-pack vs two-pack | Ease of application, faster curing, ambient cure, less wastage, durability etc. | Thermaguard® products are single-component, ambient curing, 3rd Gen., technology |
| Chemical resistance | Essential when equipment subject to high temperature is located in a chemical environment | Thermaguard™ CUI 650 resists hot saline water immersion and acid exposure |
| Surface compatibility | Ensure suitability for application to a wide range of substrates | All Thermaguard® products are applicable to carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium etc. |
| VOC levels | Low VOC products for environmental compliance | Thermaguard™ TIC 400: <1 g/L; CUI 300: <96.11 g/L (90% v/s) |
Table 1: Key Selection Criteria for Heat Resistant Coatings
At Wagon Paints Australia, we provide expert guidance to help you choose the best product based on your specific industry, environment, and project timeline.
The Thermaguard® Product Range
Our comprehensive Thermaguard® range from Performance Polymers covers a wide spectrum of industrial heat resistant and anti-corrosion applications:
| Product | Chemistry | Temperature Range | Key Applications |
| Thermaguard™ CUI 650 | Pure inorganic ambient curing polysiloxane (Conforms to NACE SP0198-2010) | -196°C to 650°C | CUI protection, plant & equipment – petrochemical, offshore, Gas, power generation etc. |
| Thermaguard™ CUI 300 | Inorganic ambient curing polysiloxane (Conforms to NACE SP0198-2017) | -196°C to 300°C | CUI protection, plant & equipment – petrochemical, offshore, power generation, Gas etc. |
| Thermaguard™ SAL 600 | Ambient curing, Siloxane aluminium, can withstand thermal cycling and surface tolerant | -196°C to 600°C | Corrosion protection for flares, stacks, chimneys, tanks, valves, pipelines etc., including offshore |
| Thermaguard™ TC 1200 | Ambient curing, inorganic Polysiloxane topcoat, thermally colour stable at high temps. | -196°C to 650°C | Applications to flares, stacks, valves, chimneys, tanks pipework etc., Topcoats for safety colours and aesthetics |
| Thermaguard™ TIC 400 | Water based, single component, Inorganic polymeric siloxane matrix, ultra high-build, seamless hydrophobic coating | -60°C to 400°C | Thermal insulation coating, improves energy efficiency, CUI prevention, SafeTouch technology |
| Thermaguard™ TIC 180 | Water based, single component ceramic-filled seamless acrylic insulation coating | Up to 180°C | Liquid insulation, condensation prevention |
Table 2: Thermaguard® Product Range Overview
Applications Across Industries
Our heat resistant coatings are used extensively across multiple sectors:
- Mining and Resources – Protection for smelters, pipelines, and machinery operating at very high and cyclic temperatures
- Transport and Infrastructure – Ideal for exhaust stacks, engine components, etc.
- Power generation – Protection for boilers, turbines, flares, and heat exchangers
- Chemical, Petrochemical and Refining – Protection for pipework, vessels, tanks, and processing equipment exposed to thermal cycling and corrosive environments
- Food and beverage processing – Hygiene-friendly, temperature-tolerant coatings for ovens and heating systems
No matter your industry, protecting your assets with the right coating solution leads to improved efficiency, reduced downtime, and better ROI.
Partner with Wagon Paints Australia for High-Performance Solutions
As a fully Australian-owned manufacturing entity, Wagon Paints Australia has been supporting local industries since 1975. We can support most industries within the protective, marine, light industrial and energy markets in their asset protection programs with a very versatile range of coating systems currently at our disposal.
Whether you’re refurbishing industrial equipment or planning a new build, our knowledgeable team is here to help. We can assess your needs and recommend the most appropriate solution to keep your operations running safely and efficiently.
Contact us today on (03) 9729 1344, or visit our website to learn more about our high-temperature coatings and full product range.