As their name implies, one of the primary benefits of thermal barrier coatings is their ability to mitigate the transfer of thermal energy. This ability comes into play in many industries for many different material types. However, have you ever wondered exactly how hot thermal barrier coatings can get? 

It’s true that thermal barrier coatings can withstand incredibly high temperatures. However, even these coatings have their limits. Read on through this article to learn what those limits are. 

Maximum Temperature for Thermal Barrier Coatings

As is true of many products, thermal barrier coatings come in a wide range of products, each of which can vary in its ability to withstand heat and perform other key functions. But with that said, many thermal barrier coatings can withstand temperatures of 1,200 °C or more. That amazing heat tolerance is part of the reason thermal barrier coatings are useful in many industries and manufacturing processes. 

Why Thermal Barrier Coatings Work Well in High-Temperature Settings

Now that you have a more specific idea of the extreme high-temperature limits of thermal barrier coatings let’s consider some of the underlying reasons why these coatings operate so well in these settings. The main reason for these capabilities relates to the anatomy of the coatings. 

Thermal barrier coatings consist of a few key layers. The first layer is known as the metallic bond coat. The purpose of this layer is to adhere the coating to the surfaces it protects. However, it’s not this layer that gives a thermal barrier coating its incredible ability to withstand heat. 

The second main layer, often referred to as the ceramic topcoat, has a special high-tech design that gives the coating its ability to limit thermal energy transfer. While there are other materials that can comprise this layer, depending on the coating type, those made of ceramic prove to be especially capable of remaining intact and functional in the presence of high heat. 

Can Thermal Barrier Coatings Work Well in Cold Settings?

While the main focus of this article is revealing the higher end of a thermal barrier coating’s heat tolerance range, these coatings are also incredibly effective in cold settings as well. For instance, those who maintain cold storage facilities often treat their facilities with thermal barrier coatings to maintain the ideal environment within. 

In the instance of cold storage, the internal temperature of the unit can be incredibly low. Fortunately, thermal barrier coatings have no issue surviving these low temperatures. 

The reason that thermal barrier coatings work well in cold settings is the same reason why they work in extremely hot settings. The functional layers of the coating mitigate temperature extremes in both settings, whether those settings are hot or cold. 

Other Advantages of Thermal Barrier Coating Use

Managing high and low temperatures is far from the only benefit of using a thermal barrier coating. To illustrate that point, here are a few additional advantages that these coatings provide:

• Corrosion prevention: When metals interact with moisture, they can undergo a process known as corrosion that dramatically degrades the metal, rendering it weakened and eventually useless over tim. The good news is that a thermal barrier coating is the perfect protective layer that prevents moisture from contacting metals, thus making corrosion far less likely. 
• Limited material expansion and contraction: We’ve already mentioned that thermal barrier coatings reduce thermal energy transfer, which comes with its own benefits. However, this ability leads to another advantage. When many materials get hotter and colder, they’ll expand and contact, respectively. This process of growing and shrinking can lead to damage and other structural failures. Since thermal barrier coatings mitigate extreme temperature change, they also limit material expansion and contraction. 
• Reduced condensation accumulations: What’s somewhat surprising to some is that condensation can be detrimental to many different materials when it accumulates in large quantities. Condensation accumulations promote the growth of mold and mildew, and they can lead to corrosion and rot as well. Thermal barrier coatings are an excellent way to prevent condensation from forming on material surfaces. 
• Greater energy efficiency: Thermal barrier coatings are quite popular in HVAC and ductwork. Applying these coatings to those systems allows them to operate with greater ease, leading to lower energy use and costs. Additionally, applying a thermal barrier coating to a building’s exterior will improve its insulation, which also leads to more energy efficiency. 

Get a Thermal Barrier Coating that’s Perfect for Extreme Temperatures from ThermaCote

Do you work in an industry that consistently involves extremely high or low temperatures? If so, there’s an excellent chance that you can benefit from the use of thermal barrier coatings. However, as we’ve implied in this article, not all thermal barrier coatings are equally capable of withstanding high and low heat. If you want the best thermal barrier coating you can find, check out the products we offer at ThermaCote. Contact us today to learn more about how our thermal barrier coatings can help you.