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Super Therm® is a multi-ceramic heat-blocking insulation coating designed to reduce solar heat load on exposed surfaces. When applied to metal structures such as aluminium ship and boat roofs, it blocks 96.1% of total solar heat.
Solar energy reaching a vessel consists primarily of three radiation bands:
Each of these contributes to surface heating. Super Therm® is engineered to address all three plus a super lightweight ceramic.
The coating reflects UV radiation, reflects visible light and blocks up to 99% of infrared heat, preventing the roof from absorbing energy and transferring it into the structure below. By stopping heat at the surface, the aluminium roof no longer behaves like a heat radiator into the passenger cabin.
The performance comes from a proprietary blend of multiple ceramic compounds rather than a single filler material. One of these ceramics is extremely lightweight – approximately 50 times lighter than paper. Its extremely low density prevents heat energy from loading into the coating structure, reducing the transfer of heat into the metal substrate.
This combination of ceramics changes how heat behaves at the surface.
Rather than relying on insulation thickness, the coating works through thermophysical behaviour, particularly thermal diffusivity – the rate at which heat energy moves through a material.
Traditional insulation systems allow heat to load into a surface and then attempt to slow its movement. Super Therm® focuses on stopping that loading from occurring in the first place.
On marine vessels the coating has several practical applications where solar heat is a persistent operational issue.
Wheelhouses are typically surrounded by glazing and exposed surfaces, creating significant solar heat buildup. Applying Super Therm® to the roof and surrounding surfaces helps reduce radiant heat entering the space, improving comfort for operators and reducing the cooling load on onboard systems.
Roofs are often large exposed aluminium or steel panels receiving direct solar radiation for extended periods. By applying the coating to the roof surface, the majority of solar energy is blocked before it can transfer into the cabin below.
This reduces the heat radiating down into passenger spaces during operation.
Upper deck areas can also benefit from the coating. Super Therm® can be installed beneath marine non-skid systems, allowing operators to maintain safe walking surfaces while still gaining the solar heat reduction benefits.
Engine rooms to keep heat and sound isolated from the rest of the vessel. The engine room temperature is generally around 40°C while the rest of the ship can be between 23 and 25°C. Most cabins are insulated with fibreglass and foil. Water temperature is down to about 2°C while the ship temperature is trying to be kept around 23 to 25°C.
Deck-mounted equipment and electronics are frequently exposed to intense sunlight. Reducing surface heat buildup helps protect sensitive systems from overheating and prolongs equipment life.
Beyond heat reduction, Super Therm® offers several performance characteristics that are useful in marine applications.
Testing has shown the coating can reduce sound transmission by up to 68% when applied to surfaces such as hulls, walls or panels. This can contribute to quieter passenger areas and improved onboard comfort.
When applied to properly prepared dry surfaces, the coating can reduce condensation formation. This occurs because the surface temperature remains closer to ambient conditions rather than fluctuating dramatically with solar heating.
Marine environments often experience humidity and condensation cycles that promote mould and mildew growth. The coating helps resist these conditions on treated surfaces.
Weight is always a consideration in marine engineering.
A typical Super Therm® application weighs approximately 300 grams/m2, adding negligible weight to vessel structures.
While a 18.9-litre (5 gallon) pail weighs approximately 29kg, the coating contains 57% solids by volume. Once cured, the system forms a finished film thickness of approximately 250 microns (0.25 mm).
The lightweight ceramic structure means the coating achieves thermal performance through physics rather than bulk thickness.
This makes it suitable for large roof areas where traditional insulation systems would add unacceptable weight or complexity.
The coating is typically applied using airless spray equipment, which suits shipyards and maintenance environments.
Spray application produces a consistent high-solids ceramic film with a slightly textured surface finish. This texture is part of the coating’s ceramic structure and contributes to its surface performance.
Surface preparation remains critical. Although Super Therm® will adhere to aluminium, light abrasion of the substrate is recommended to maximise adhesion and long-term durability.
In marine environments, a protective topcoat is recommended to provide additional chemical and UV resistance.
A marine-grade polyurethane such as Enamo Grip® (or an equivalent system already used in vessel maintenance programs) can be applied once the coating has cured.
This provides:
A practical example of this type of system is the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge project completed in 2011, where Super Therm® was finished with a polyurethane topcoat Enamo Grip®. More than a decade later the coating system continues to perform under extreme environmental exposure.
Super Therm® has undergone extensive independent testing under recognised international standards.
These include UL and ISO protocols covering multiple performance characteristics relevant to construction and industrial environments.
The coating is also DNV approved, supporting its suitability for marine environments.
Independent testing and long-term field use across industrial and marine installations provide confidence in its durability under harsh operating conditions.
The fundamental issue with roofs is not insulation inside the vessel. It is solar radiation loading the surface of the metal itself.
Once heat enters the metal structure, it will conduct through the material rapidly.
The most effective solution is therefore to stop the heat before it enters the structure.
By blocking solar radiation at the surface, Super Therm® prevents the aluminium or the steel roof from becoming a heat source for the vessel interior. The result is improved cabin comfort, reduced thermal stress on equipment and potentially lower cooling energy demand.
For operators managing passenger comfort and vessel performance, addressing surface heat load is often the missing piece.
U.S. Department of Energy – Cool Roofs and Solar Reflectance
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/cool-roofs
International Maritime Organization – Marine Environment Protection Standards
https://www.imo.org
NEOtech Coatings – Super Therm Testing and Results
https://neotechcoatings.com/super-therm-testing-and-results/
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