Curran 1500 – A Smarter Alternative to Belzona for Equipment Protection

What is Curran 1500?

Curran 1500 is an advanced two-part, 100% solids epoxy coating engineered for high-temperature immersion service in water, hydrocarbons, and process streams (up to 365°F /185°C).

This organic/inorganic hybrid coating exhibits state-of-the-art technology – it resists “cold wall” thermal cycling, is machinable when fully cured, and withstands repeated steam-out events without degrading.

In short, Curran 1500 creates a durable, foul-release barrier that protects steel surfaces from corrosion and fouling in even the harshest conditions.

Curran 1500 3

Field Proven Results

High-Temp Endurance
0 °F
Immersion Protection
Proven to withstand continuous pressurized 365°F
water exposure for 60 days without failure
Adhesion Strength
> 0 psi
Pull-off Strength
Bonds tenaciously to metal ensuring
long-lasting protection under extreme conditions
Global Track Record
Over 0
Exchanger Components Protected
Protected with Curran high-performance coatings to date
– a trusted solution across the industry.

Currently Used by These Super Major Refineries

The Industry Challenge

The Problem

Unprotected heat exchanger surfaces in refineries and power plants are prone to corrosion, erosion, and fouling under aggressive operating conditions. High-temperature water and process streams rapidly attack steel, leading to pitting and under-deposit corrosion in channels, tube sheets, and water boxes.

Thermal cycling (“cold wall” conditions where hot fluids inside cool equipment) causes standard coatings to crack or delaminate, resulting in leaks, efficiency loss, and frequent unplanned shutdowns

6-18 Months

The lifespan of uncoated exchangers in severe service

The Curran 1500 Solution

Curran 1500 was designed to solve these challenges with next-generation epoxy technology.

Formulated for high-temperature immersion (continuous to 365°F) and proven to endure severe thermal shock without cracking.

Its exceptional cold-wall resistance means Curran 1500 stays intact even when hot process fluids meet cooler metal surfaces – scenarios that cause other coatings to fail.

Up to 40 Mils

High-build application in single coat with zero VOCs

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Key Benefits

What Curran 1500 Can Do For Your Site

1. Corrosion Protection 1500

Outstanding Corrosion Protection

Shields steel surfaces from aggressive water, salt, and hydrocarbon media, preventing corrosion even in continuous immersion. Components last longer with less material loss.

2. Kits for Onsite Applications 1500

Available in Kits to Support Onsite Applications

Curran 1500 is packaged for fast, consistent field use—no special equipment, no complicated ordering. Unlike Belzona, which is often burdened by high costs, rigid procurement requirements, and limited field flexibility, Curran 1500 is easy to source and apply. It’s already approved as the go-to maintenance epoxy coating spec across multiple Super Major refineries, trusted for high-temperature durability without the red tape.

3. Resists Thermal Shock 1500

Resists
Thermal Shock
("Cold Wall")

The epoxy’s hybrid formulation tolerates rapid temperature differentials without cracking or debonding. This reliability through steam-outs and startups means fewer coating failures and emergency repairs.

4. Extended Equipment Life 1500

Extended Equipment Life

By preventing erosion, pitting, and under-deposit attacks, Curran 1500 extends the service life of critical components.

Its high hardness and >3,600 psi adhesion keep the coating firmly in place, protecting equipment through many years of operation.

5. Simplified Maintenance 1500

Simplified Maintenance

Applied in a single coat (32–50 mils recommended) and cured at room temperature, Curran 1500 is convenient to install. There’s no need for specialized high-temp curing – downtime is minimized. And because it’s 100% solids (zero VOC), there are no toxic fumes or environmental compliance headaches during application.

Environment

Improved Safety & Sustainability

Cleaner, coated surfaces mean less chemical cleaning and hydroblasting during turnarounds. Plants see reduced wastewater and chemical use, supporting environmental and safety goals.

Plus, by maintaining heat exchanger efficiency, coatings help save energy and reduce CO₂ emissions over time.

Technical Specifications

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Operating Temperature

Continuous immersion service up to 365°F (185°C), steam-outs to 400°F, down to -40°F for sub-zero use.

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Application Method

Trowel or brush-applied epoxy. Built to 40 mils in one coat. Requires near-white metal blast.

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Service Life

Long-term service between turnarounds – often multiple years of protection. 5–6x longer life than uncoated exchangers.

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Thermal Impact

Minimal effect on heat transfer. Coated exchangers maintain performance with no decline, whereas uncoated units lose efficiency from fouling buildup.

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Cure Required

Ambient cure, no post-bake needed. Tack-free in ~8 hours at 70°F, water immersion ready in ~32 hours. Full chemical cure in ~7 days at ambient.

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Compatible Substrates

Suited for carbon steel, stainless steel, and alloy surfaces. Ideal for new and in-service equipment.

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Chemical Resistance

Resists water, hydrocarbons, steam, acids, and caustics in harsh process environments. For specific aggressive chemicals, consult Curran.

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Coating Thickness

A single coat can achieve ~40 mil (1000 μm) thickness; multiple coats can build to higher thickness if needed.

Curran 1500 Case Studies & Projects

Proven performance in the field – extending equipment life and reducing maintenance costs

Recent Minimox Case Studies

Minimox is tailored for industries facing high temperature fouling

Feed/Effluent Heat Exchanger Restoration

Completed Project • Gulf Coast • Major Refinery

EquipmentFeed/effluent heat exchanger tubesheet
ChallengeTube-end erosion caused leaks and frequent emergency repairs
SolutionCurran 1500 applied  to rebuild & seal tube joints

Results

100%
Leaks eliminated
20%+
Reduced maintenance and extended exchanger life
1500 Case Study 1

Discover The Benefits of Coating Your Heat
Transfer Equipment

Curran 1500 Equipment Applications

Curran 1500 Exchanger Components

Exchanger Components

Curran 1500 Process Vessels

Process Vessels

Curran 1500 Tanks

Tanks

Curran 1500 Tube Sheets

Tubesheets (Tube Bundles)

Your Next Steps

Curran 1500 offers a superior, more durable solution that outperforms legacy coatings like Belzona—at a lower total cost. Updating your site specification to Curran 1500 means proactively addressing corrosion and fouling before they lead to failure, helping you avoid unplanned outages and costly mid-run repairs.

Contact Curran

Talk with our team about your current coating spec and failure history. We'll review your process conditions, damage mechanisms, and maintenance cycles to determine where Curran 1500 adds the most value.

Coating Strategy & Specification Review

Our engineers will provide a coating strategy tailored to your site and equipment. We’ll help you evaluate Belzona alternatives and supply the necessary to update your spec to Curran 1500, including all necessary technical documentation.

Purchase & Apply

Curran 1500 is available in pre-measured kits for easy onsite application. Our certified team members can support your maintenance team with clear procedures and application guidance.

Commissioning & Long-Term Support

Once applied, your equipment is returned to service. We remain engaged to support long-term performance, whether through field inspection, recoating guidance, or data for reliability tracking.

Frequently Asked Curran 1500 Questions

01

Curran 1500 is formulated for continuous immersion up to 365°F (185°C). It also tolerates short-term temperature excursions (steam-outs) up to about 400°F (204°C). Importantly, it performs exceptionally under "cold wall" conditions – it was tested for 60 days in 365°F water without any loss of adhesion. This means it won't crack or fail when hot process fluid is inside a cooler metal shell, a critical feature for high-temperature exchangers.

02

Proper surface prep is crucial. All metal surfaces must be cleaned and abrasive blasted to near-white metal (SSPC-SP 10/NACE No.2) with a 3+ mil profile. This ensures maximum coating adhesion. Curran 1500 is a high-viscosity epoxy applied by trowel or stiff brush (not typically sprayed) up to ~40 mils in one coat. Edges, welds, and tube sheet holes are carefully coated and smoothed with a brush. Application is often done in a shop environment for quality control, though in-situ field application is possible with the right containment and conditions.

03

Curran 1500 cures at ambient temperatures. At 70°F (21°C), it reaches a tack-free state in about 8 hours and can handle water immersion after ~32 hours. Light loads or machining can typically be done the next day (16–20 hours at 70°F). For full chemical exposure (e.g. acids/solvents), a post-cure of about 7 days at room temp is recommended for full crosslinking.
If time is limited, a low-temp force cure (e.g. 4 hours at 180°F) can accelerate the cure. In practice, most coated exchangers are ready to return to service within 1–2 days of application for water/hydrocarbon service.

04

Yes. Curran 1500 is a high-build epoxy that can double as a repair material for thinning metal. It can fill pits, cover eroded areas, and rebuild surfaces up to several millimeters thick (in multiple coats if needed). Once cured, it is machinable – for example, you can machine or grind coated surfaces to meet flatness or tolerance requirements. This makes it an excellent choice for restoring tube sheets, flange faces, and other components where original metal has been lost to corrosion. (It provides similar restoration capability as products like Belzona 1111, but with higher temperature resistance and often at lower cost.)

05

Curran 1500 exhibits broad chemical resistance suitable for refinery and plant services. It is recommended for water (including salt and cooling water), hydrocarbons, steam, many acids, and caustics. For example, it holds up well in sour water strippers, amine units, crude oil, brine, and moderate concentrations of sulfuric or caustic. It's generally not attacked by petroleum products or common process chemicals. For extremely aggressive acids (strong sulfuric, HF, etc.) or high concentrations, it's best to consult with Curran for specific compatibility – but in most cases, Curran 1500 will handle the typical corrosion agents found in process streams.

Optimize Your Heat Exchanger Today!