AMERCOAT 68HS

February 2012
Revision of November 2011
DESCRIPTION Zinc Rich Epoxy

PRINCIPAL CHARACTERISTICS – >80% zinc in dry film

– Provides outstanding corrosion resistance
– Fast dry times for rapid topcoating
– Amercoat 861 accelerator can be used for low temperature curing

COLOR AND GLOSS Flat

Reddish Gray
BASIC DATA
Volume solids 70% ± 3%
VOC* 2.4 lbs/gal (288 g/L)
* For compliance with regulations which require <100 g/L, Amercoat 68HS VOC can be specified interchangeably.
Recommended
Dry film thickness 2 – 5 mils per coat (50 – 125 microns)
Theoretical Spread Rate @ 1 mils 1123 ft2/gal
@ 3 mils 374 ft2/gal
Components 3
Shelf Life 3 years from date of manufacture

SURFACE PREPARATION Coating performance is proportional to the degree of surface preparation. All previous
coats must dry and free of contaminants.
Steel – Abrasive blast to SSPC SP-6 or higher with a 1.0 – 3.0 mils surface profile. Higher
surface profiles up to 5 mils are acceptable, but the product must be applied in a
thickness great enough to achieve a minimum of 2.5 mils dry film thickness.
Apply Amercoat 68HS as soon as possible to prevent the blasted surface from
rusting. Keep moisture, oil, grease, or other organic matter off surface before coating.
For touch up and repair, power tool cleaning in accordance with SSPC SP-11 is
acceptable.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Ambient temperatures Amercoat 68HS
32°F to 120°F (0°C to 49°C)
Product can be applied without accelerator at surface and air temperatures down to 40°F. Material temperature
must be maintained at 60 to 90°F at the time of application. Due to the long curing time at this temperatures when
accelerator is not used, it is recommended that temperatures above 50°F are expected within 12 hours of applica-
tion. Coated surfaces should be protected from moisture until dry through time is reached.
Surface temperature must be at least 5°F above the dew point temperature.
Material temperatures 50°F to 90°F (10°C to 32ºC)
Relative humidity 85% maximum
Surface temperature Amercoat 68HS
50°F to 120°F (10°C to 49°C)
With Amercoat 861 Accelerator
32°F to 100°F (0°C to 36ºC)
Surface temperature must be at least 5°F above the dew point temperature.
General air quality Area should be sheltered from airborne particulates and pollutants. Ensure good
ventilation during application and curing. Provide shelter to prevent wind from affecting
spray patterns.

page 1/3
AMERCOAT 68HS

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

Mixing Only mix full kits.
Pre-mix base component with a pneumatic air mixing at moderate speeds to homogenize
the container. Add hardener to base and agitate with a power mixer for 1-2 minutes until
completely dispersed. Add powder component slowly under agitation until fully mixed.
Strain the mixture from one container to another through a 30 mesh filter/strainer to
remove any undispersed lumps.
Pot life
Temperature 50°F 70°F 90°F
Amercoat 68HS 24 hours 16 hours 8 hours
Amercoat 68HS with 16 hours 9 hours 5 hours
861 accelerator

Airless spray 45:1 pump or larger, 0.017 fluid tip

Air spray Thin up to 10%, standard conventional equipment, 0.070" fluid orifice. A moisture and oil
trap in the main line is recommended. Separate regulators for air and fluid pressure are
recommended.
Brush & roll Use a high quality natural bristle. Brush application is only recommended for small
touch up and/or repair areas. Roller application is not recommended. Ensure brush is
well loaded to avoid air entrainment. Multiple coats may be necessary to achieve
adequate film build.
Thinner Amercoat 65 (xylene), Amercoat 101 (recommended for > 90°F),
Cleaning solvent Amercoat 12 Cleaner or Amercoat 65 thinner (xylene)
Primers Direct to metal, can be used to touch up inorganic zincs such as Dimetcote 9-Series.
Topcoats Amershield, PSX 700, Amercoat 450H, Amerlock 2/400, Amercoat 385, Amercoat 370,
Amercoat Epoxies, Pittguard Epoxies, Durathane DTM, Pitthane Ultra
Safety precautions For paint and recommended thinners see safety sheet 1430, 1431 and relevant material
safety data sheets
This is a solvent borne paint and care should be taken to avoid inhalation of spray mist
or vapor as well as contact between the wet paint and exposed skin or eyes.
DRY/CURE TIMES* Amercoat 68HS @ 3 mils dft
40°F 50°F 70°F 90°F
Dry to touch 6 hours 1 hour 30 minutes 15 minutes
Dry through 72 hours 36 hours 8 hours 4 hours
Dry to overcoat* 36 hours 6 hours 2 hours 1 hour
Maximum overcoat Unlimited**

* With force cure capabilities (oven temperatures of 140-180°F), product can be overcoated after 5-15 minutes.
Allow 5-10 minutes flash off prior to heating past 120°F. Addition of Amercoat 861 accelerator is recommended
for this procedure.

Amercoat 68HS with 861 Accelerator @ 3 mils dft

32°F 50°F 70°F 90°F

Dry to touch 2 hours 30 minutes 20 minutes 10 minutes
Dry through 96 hours 16 hours 4 hours 1.5 hours
Dry to overcoat 24 hours 4 hours 1.5 hours 45 minutes
Maximum overcoat Unlimited**
** Surface must be power washed as needed to remove all surface contaminants including zinc salts. Surface
must be clean and dry.

page 2/3
AMERCOAT 68HS

PRODUCT QUALIFICATIONS – SSPC Paint 20, Type II , Level 2

– RCSC Class B Slip Coefficient for High Strength Bolted Connections
– Zinc Dust meets ASTM D520 Level 3 standards
AVAILABILITY
Packaging Available in 1-gallon and 5-gallon kits
Product codes AT68HS-A Base component
AT68HS-B Hardener component
AT68HS-P Zinc Powder component
Worldwide statement While it is always the aim of PPG Protective & Marine Coatings to supply the same product
on a worldwide basis, slight modification of the product is sometimes necessary to comply
with local or national rules/circumstances. Under these circumstances an alternative product
data sheet is used.
WARRANTY STATEMENT
PPG warrants (i) its title to the products, (ii) that the quality of the product(s) conform to PPG’s specifications for such products
in effect at the time of manufacture and (iii) that the products shall be delivered free of the rightful claim of any third person for
infringement of any U.S. patent covering the products. THESE ARE THE ONLY WARRANTIES PPG MAKES AND ALL
OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, UNDER STATUTE OR ARISING OTHERWISE IN LAW, FROM A COURSE
OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OTHER WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, ARE DISCLAIMED BY PPG.
The information in this data sheet is based upon laboratory tests PPG believes to be accurate and is intended for guidance
only. PPG may modify the information contained herein at any time as a result of practical experience and continuous product
development. All recommendations or suggestions relating to the use of PPG products, whether in technical documentation, or
in response to a specific inquiry, or otherwise, are based on data, which to the best of PPG’s knowledge, are reliable. The
products and information are designed for users having the requisite knowledge and industrial skills and it is the end-user’s
responsibility to determine the suitability of the product for its intended use.
PPG has no control over either the quality or condition of the substrate, or the many factors affecting the use and application of
the product. Therefore, PPG does not accept any liability arising from loss, injury or damage resulting from such use or the
contents of this data sheet (unless there are written agreements stating otherwise).
This data sheet supersedes all previous versions and it is the user’s responsibility to ensure that this data sheet is current prior
to using the product. The English text of this document shall prevail over any translation thereof.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
The information in this data sheet is based upon laboratory tests we believe to be accurate and is intended for guidance only. All
recommendations or suggestions relating to the use of the products made by PPG Protective & Marine Coatings, whether in
technical documentation, or in response to a specific enquiry, or otherwise, are based on data which to the best of our knowledge
are reliable. The products and information are designed for users having the requisite knowledge and industrial skills and it is the
end-user’s responsibility to determine the suitability of the product for its intended use.
PPG Protective & Marine Coatings has no control over either the quality or condition of the substrate, or the many factors affecting
the use and application of the product. PPG Protective & Marine Coatings does therefore not accept any liability arising from loss,
injury or damage resulting from such use or the contents of this data sheet (unless there are written stating otherwise).
The data contained herein are liable to modification as a result of practical experience and continuous product development.
This data sheet replaces and annuls all previous issues and it is therefore the user’s responsibility to ensure that this sheet is current
prior to using the product. The current data sheets are maintained at www.ppgpmc.com
The English text of this document shall prevail over any translation thereof.

page 3/3