AusGrid Transmission Tower Refurbishment

At Tomago on the Hunter River near Newcastle, TEMCO was engaged by AusGrid to refurbish a power transmission tower operating in a C4 marine environment with moderate salt exposure. Instead of a traditional three-coat zinc-rich primer system requiring sandblasting, TEMCO selected Rust Grip^® – a single-component aluminium moisture-cured urethane rated ISO 12944 C5-H for very high-corrosive environments.

The tower’s location beside the Hunter Wetlands National Park and North Channel Hunter River meant abrasive blasting posed a significant environmental risk. Rust Grip’s ability to perform with minimal surface preparation made it the ideal choice. The steel was pressure-cleaned only, reducing application time by 50% and eliminating the need for complex containment systems.

AusGrid, Australia’s largest electricity distributor on the East Coast, valued the coating’s proven durability, simplicity and reduced downtime for essential infrastructure. Two coats of Rust Grip^® fully encapsulated the corrosion, restoring protection and extending asset life. TEMCO applicators noted the product “went on well and was easy to apply due to its low viscosity.”

With a 20–25-year expected service life, the system offers long-term performance with minimal future maintenance. TEMCO and AusGrid plan to monitor the coating’s progress and expand its use across similar assets. Having been used in Australia since 1996, Rust Grip^® continues to deliver superior corrosion control, faster application, and lower total cost of ownership across Australia and New Zealand’s toughest coastal environments and more.