Choosing an Intumescent Coating

A coating shortlist should begin with the project specification. The words water-based and solvent-based help describe a product family. They do not, by themselves, establish the fire protection system your steelwork needs. Start with the substrate, exposure and required documentation, then compare individual models.

SINGAL's current catalogue identifies NB and WB as water-based intumescent coatings. It identifies NCB and WCB as solvent-based intumescent coatings. These names give buyers a useful starting point. The final selection still needs the exact product record and a review of the project requirements.

Understand the Family Labels

In general terms, water-based and solvent-based describe the coating's carrier system. An intumescent coating expands under heat and forms an insulating char layer. This qualitative principle does not establish a particular fire resistance period, required film thickness or approved application for an individual product.

Do not turn a family label into an automatic comparison score. A water-based name alone does not establish the complete handling instructions.

A solvent-based name alone does not prove suitability for a particular outdoor structure. Request the current technical and safety documents for the actual model.

Epoxy describes a resin family, so it is a different kind of label. SGHY is listed as epoxy based.

It should not automatically be assigned to the water-based or solvent-based group just to complete a comparison table. Keep the catalogue's distinctions visible when preparing a shortlist.

Match the Exposure First

For an interior enquiry, the current product titles identify NB as indoor water-based and NCB as indoor solvent-based. NB also has an Indoor Use specification field. These records support a catalogue shortlist, rather than a statement that either product suits every interior steel structure.

For an exterior enquiry, WB is titled outdoor water-based and WCB outdoor solvent-based. Their descriptions refer to outdoor load-bearing steel components. Send the actual exposure conditions with your enquiry. The product title is not a substitute for confirming the complete system for the intended location.

Explain whether the steel will be coated before installation or at the project site.

Identify any existing coating and provide the proposed system information. These are questions for the technical review, rather than assumptions that should be filled in from a photograph or a product name.

Compare the Exact Models

NB is listed with an acrylic base and one component. NCB also lists an acrylic base and one component.

This demonstrates why the resin name alone cannot distinguish these two catalogue groups. Use the full model name and the product's own water-based or solvent-based description together.

WCB lists a Specialized Topcoat field. NCB carries the same field.

That wording does not identify a complete approved topcoat specification. Ask which accompanying product and application requirements apply to the proposed system. Do not choose a finish only because its colour matches the project brief.

SGHY provides another comparison point. Its record lists an epoxy base and two components. Include SGHY in an enquiry when an epoxy option needs review, but do not infer a mixing ratio from the component count. Request the model-specific instructions before planning mixing or application.

Keep Thickness Questions Open

A catalogue can contain several technical fields without explaining how they relate.

WB currently has both a Coating Thickness field and a Recommended dry film thickness field with different values. Those entries need clarification before they are used for a quantity calculation or a project specification.

Do not resolve that difference by choosing the smaller value, averaging the values or assuming they describe successive coats. Ask for the current technical document and the conditions behind each entry. The reviewed response should identify which information applies to the proposed work.

The same discipline applies when a record places consumption and fire resistance fields beside each other. Their position on a page does not establish a verified relationship for your project. Request the relevant documentation and a product-specific review of the required thickness and performance criteria.

Compare Commercial Terms Carefully

NB currently displays a FOB reference price of US $2.7–4.5 per kg and a listed minimum order of 100 kg.

WCB displays US $3.8–6 per kg on the same price basis and a listed minimum order of 100 kg. These are individual catalogue entries, not a quotation.

Ask the supplier to confirm the selected model, quantity, packaging and destination in one response. Comparing only the lowest displayed number leaves important questions unanswered. Keep any proposed product change visible, so a revised price does not silently become a different technical selection.

NB and WCB list a 20 kg barrel in their Package fields. WB instead has a package gross-weight entry without that same Package field.

Gross weight should not be treated as confirmed net coating mass. Obtain the packaging details before converting a material requirement into a barrel count.

Prepare a Useful Enquiry

Include the exact model or the options you want compared. Add the substrate, interior or exterior exposure, project location and required standard.

Relevant drawing notes and performance criteria help explain the request. State which requirements are fixed and which are still being reviewed by your project team.

Request the current TDS, SDS and applicable test documentation using the model name. Ask for clarification of any inconsistent catalogue fields in the same message. Keep the received documents together with the quotation, so the commercial offer and technical review refer to the same product.

After that review, application method, surface preparation, drying conditions and inspection requirements should follow the reviewed documents. This guide is a purchasing checklist. It does not replace those instructions or select a fire protection design from a catalogue label.

Review Products and Send Requirements

Compare [NB indoor water-based coating](https://singalpaint.com/product/nb-interior-use-fire-proof-coating-water-based-intumescent-izetpdfjaxau/), [WB outdoor water-based coating](https://singalpaint.com/product/fireproof-industrial-intumescent-coating-for-steel-structure-qfptbhodmxgw/), [NCB indoor solvent-based coating](https://singalpaint.com/product/ncb-interior-usage-fireproof-fire-retardant-coating-gwzflwaxjktd/) and [WCB outdoor solvent-based coating](https://singalpaint.com/product/outdoor-acrylic-solvent-based-fire-proof-intumescent-coating-mojamegjhvaw/).

For an epoxy comparison, review [SGHY](https://singalpaint.com/product/epoxy-based-intumenscent-fireproof-coatings-odntlnwvfbau/). Read the [technical support checklist](https://singalpaint.com/technical-support/), then [request a quote](https://singalpaint.com/request-a-quote/) with your product shortlist and project requirements.