Osmosis, Gelshield PLUJ
and Associated Products
Sincethe introductionof GRP vesselsinto the
marketplaceas long ago as the mid 1960'sit has been
clearlydemonstratedthat fibreglassboats are not the
maintenance-freevesselsthey were once claimedto be,
Time and use takes its toll and the appearanceof yachts The effect of epoxy coatings
graduallydeteriorates.'Osmosis'has for some time been on hull laminate moisture
a recognisedproblem affectinga certain percentageof levels:
boats.
The best way to preventosmosis in a yacht is to
separateit from water.This can easi! be achieved
with the use of Gelshieldepoxycoatingsappliedto the
undenvaterareaof the hull.Gelshieldepoxyreducesthe
levelof water penetrationinto the hull,which is the key
to successin combatingosmosis.
Genetal Symptoms
and Causes of Osmosis
Polyesterresinis used in the laminationof most
'GRP/FRP'yachts.This resin,which comes in the form
of a viscousliquid,is manufacturedby the reactionof a
polyfunctionalacid with a polyhydricalcohol.A linking
reactiontakes placein which the water generatedin the
reactionof the basic ingredientshas to be removed.
To turn this into a solid,the boat builderadds peroxide,
which acts as a catalystand causesthe viscousliquid
to reactand becomeconvertedinto a solid.
The processof osmosis is usuallyattributedto one of
three root causes: The remaining15o/oof cases,wherereactiveimpuritiesor
Water ingressfrom outside the yacht. laminationdeficiencies are the causeof the problem,are
the most difficultto treat. lt is possiblethat the chemical
Water ingressfrom the inside:bilges, for instance.
reactionat the resin-manufacturing stage is incomplete;
Reactiveimouritiesin the resin. 'free'
that is, about O1% of the acid or alcoholremains
Wateringresshas beenfound to be the causeof the in the resin.In such cases,the resinsuppliedto and
problemin about 85% of all casesanalysed.Such cases used by the buildersis incapableof beingcompletely
can now be treaiedwith good effect.In this situation reacted.Effectively, the 'free' moleculesof acid or alcohol
water reactswith the impuritiesin the laminateor the are availableto participatein secondaryundesirableand
polyesteritself,or the coatingageni on the glass unintentional chemicalreactionswithinthe laminate.
reinforcement to form free acidicsubstances.In this Additionallythe peroxidecatalystand any other
process,known as hydrolysis, the resinbecomesbroken acceleratorsused do not form part of the solidmatrix
down into its component parts by the water. However,it and similadyexistas impuritiesin the laminate.Trace
is worth notingthat all polymericmaterials(plastics)are constituentsare knownto reactwith elementsin water
permeablein water and to water vapourto some degree generatingcompoundsthat createpressure,which is
processof the
but it is the fact that in the manufacturing evidencedas blistersin the gelcoat.
resincedaintracesof un-reactedconstituentsleadsto
breakdownand ultimatelvthe onset of what is referred
to as 'osmosis'.
Stages of Osmosis
Stage1: Waterpenetration
Hulllaminate
Gelcoat
layer
Voidsin gelcoat
& iaminate
I n s i d-e' d r y '
- water
0utside
Stage 2: Solutions form in voids
Initiallyin the gelcoat,wherethe moisturecontentis
higher.And then deeperin the laminateas the condition
progresses.
The moisturepresentstads to breakthe resindown
by hydrolysis.
Stage 3: Blister formation f <- H,o
The concentrationcellsformeddraw in more moisture
that causesblistersto form and swell.
The increasedpressurealsotends to accelerate
f <- H,o
the breakdownof the laminateresin.
f+H,o
Stage 4: Laminate failure
Continuingresinbreakdownand increasingpressure
in blistersleadsto some blistersbursting.
Deeperin the Iaminate,largeblisterscauselaminate
breakdownand eventualfailure.
Examination of Blister Fluids Tteatment and Ptotection Options
The appearanceof blistersbelowthe hullwaterlineis the Dependingon the resuhsof the surveythree basic
key indicationthat a laminateproblemexists.The blisters options can be considered:
take the form of a dome or, if pressurehas causedthem
Option 1
to break, possiblya crater.
Survey result Gelcoat in sound condition,
Analysisof the blisterfluid is the usualmethodof no evidenceof osmosis.
determiningthe type of problemwithinthe hull.There
Recommendation:Protectionsystem.
are three characteristicsthat can be quite easilvtested
on-site: Eventhough no osmosis appearsto be present
e The smellof the blisterfluid:A strongvinegary there is a continuingrisk for all GRP/FRPboats.
To minimisethis, apply a thick epoxy coating
I
odour (oftenmistakenfor styrene)indicatesthe
(Gelshield200) to the hull to create a separation l
presenceof aceticacid, which is highlyreactive.
layerbetween gelcoat and water.This will delay
Pressurebuildsup in the hullwhen the acid
the onset of any osmosis that is likelyto occur.
reactswith varioussubstances;the chief problem
is calcium,which is present in both fresh and salt Option2 I
water and forms calciumacetates.This chemical
reactioncauses sufficientpressureto form a
Survey result:Evidenceof osmosisincluding
blisteringin the gelcoat.
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blister.There is usuallysufficientfree acetic acid .{
Recommendation
: Treatmentsystem.
I
in the blisterfluidfor the smellto be apparent.
o The feel of the blisterfluidwhen rubbedbetween Fullremovalof the gelcoatis likelyto be required
and replacingthe gelcoatwith the recommended
fingerand thumb. A greasyfeel,simihrto that
of washing-upliquidor antifreeze,is due to the
film thicknessof GelshieldPlusepoxy barrier l
I
coatingafterthoroughcleaningand drying.
presenceof glycolin the resin.This free glycol
is solublein water. Option3
o lts acidity or alkalinityis determinedby the uSeof Surveyresult:extensive
blistering
andcraters
in gelcoatand underlyinglaminate.
pH paper.Testingthe blisterfluid best takes place
at ihe momentthe blisteris brokenand the fluid
released.The neutralreading- as in the case of
Recommendation:Removalof gelcoat and
affectedareas of laminate. i
OistltteCwater - is pH 7. Readingsusuallyfound
for GRP blistersare:
Thoroughcleaningand dryingpriorto re-
laminationwith Epiglass@epoxy resinsystem and I
pH 5 - pH 6: Acid reading
This is by far the most common result,and
applicaiionof GelshieldPlusepoxy baniersystem.
i
Ii
indicatesthat free acid has hydrolysedoff the
emulsioncoating forming acetic acid and other
acetic compounds. Occasionallyreadingsas low
as pH 4 havebeen found.
pH 7 is neutraland is sometimesfound in vessels I
i
located in brackishor freshwatermoorings
pH 8 - pH 8.3: Seawater-filledblisters I
Water has penetratedthe gelcoat.
pH 9: Alkaline reading l
This is very rare and indicatesthat amine
acceleratorshave been used either at the I
laminatestage oii just possibly,at the resin
manufacturing stage.This is very unusualin
Il
more modernhu[s, so the implicationsare not
discussedhere.
,l
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Option 1: Protection System Suggested Schemesfor
Descriptionof system I]sets of Gelshield 200
A vesselwith no signsof osmosiswill benefitfrom Gelshield 200 applied by Brush/Roller or Conventional Spray:
.1
protectionagainstosmosis.The earlierthis is done, Gelshield200 (Grey)@ 10 micronsWFT = 50 microns DFT
the greaterthe benefits,and some manufacturers are Interfill830 as required
applyingGelshield@ 200 to theirhullseitheras an option Gelshield200 (Green)@ 110 micronsWFT = 50 micronsDFT
or as standardequipment. Gelshield200 (Grey)@ 110 micronsWFT = 50 micronsDFT
Gelshield200 is an epoxy barriersystemthat serves Gelshield200 (Green)@ I10 micronsWFT = 50 micronsDFT
the dual functionof the barriersystemand antifouling Gelshield200 (Grey)as an antifoulingtie coat @ 50 micronsDFT
tie coat. Once the recommendedthicknesshas been 2 coats lnternationalAntifoulino
appliedit can be over-coatedby any of the antifoulings
in the International@
Range. Waterline
Gelshield200 is an epoxy primerwith specificformulation Gelshield 200
characteristicsdevelopedto offereasy applicationby a lnterfill
830
varietyof methodswhilst consistentlydeliveringa high Gelshield 200
levelof protectionagainstosmosis.The solventbased Gelshield 200
epoxytechnologydeliversextremelygood adhasionto Gelshield 200
the surfaceand very good toleranceto a wide rangeof Gelshield 200
applicationconditionsand temperatures.To augmentthe Antifouling
barrierpropertiesof the epoxy,layeredmica has been Antifouling
incorporatedwithinthe formulathat createsan interlocking
Microplate'"effectwithin each coat, which is highly Gelshield 200 applied by Airless Spray:
effectivein combatingwater penetration.
Gelshield200 (Grey)@ 300 micronsWFT = 135 micronsDFT
It will also protect metal fittingsfrom conosion, and so a lnterfill830 as reouired
singleproductcan be appliedto hull,sterngearand skin Gelshield200 (Green)@ 3OOmicronsWFT = 135 micronsDFT
fittingsto providemaximumprotectionto all undenvater Gelshield200 (Grey)as an antifoulingtie coat
parts of the vessel. @ 50 or 135 microns DFT (dependingon typeof application)
Gelshield200 can be applieddirectlyto the gelcoatafter 2 coais InternationalAntifouling
the appropriatepreparation.Roller,brushor conventional
spraysare appropriateapplicationmethods,whilstairless
spray has the advantageof being able to deliverthe
greatestcoatingthicknessin each application,reducing
the time to completethe project.
Once cured,the full rangeof antifoulings from
Internationalcan be applieddirectto Gelshield200 as
it functionsas an antifoulingtie coat as well as a primer.
lf the applicationis completedwithinthe overcoating
time specified,no sandingis requiredbetweencoats
of Gelshield200 or subsequentantifoulinglayers.
Option 2: Treatrnent System Suggested Schemes for
Description
of system Users of Gelshield PLUJ (YAA220series)
Any yacht affectedby osmosiswill needto haveall or Gelshield Plus used in the manner described
part of its gelcoatremoved.By definition,a 'driedout: is the typical scheme:
glassmatt from which the gelcoathas been removed Gelshield Plus (Green)@ 150 microns
is itselfan unsoundporoussurface,and it followsthat Interfill830 as required
applicationof a coatingoverthis type of substratecarries GelshieldPlus (Blue)@ 150 microns
a certaindegreeof risk. GelshieldPlus (Green)@ 150 microns
GelshieldPlus has been developedspecifically to GelshieldPlus (Blue)@ 150 microns
minimisethese risks.lt has the followingkey attributes: Gelshield 200 (Grey)as an antifoulingtie coat @ 50 or 135
Two ComponentChemicallyCuring Epoxy. microns DFT (depending e.g.rolleror ailessspray)
ontyre of application
2 coats lnternationalAntifouling
It is a two-part, chemicallycuringepoxy productwith a
2:1 mixingratio.Epoxyhas beenchosenas beinga highly
impermeableresin.Further,unlikepolyestersthat have Waterline
very criticalmixingratios,it is easyto mix in the boatyard Gelshield Plus
environment.Epoxyresinsare not susceptibleto the lnterfill
830
hydrolysisthat is the root causeof typicalGRP osmosis. Gelshield Plus
Gelshield Plus
Solventless formulation
Gelshield Plus
The benefitof a solventlessformulationis that ihere is no Gelshield 200
chance,of solventmigratinginto the porousmatt surface Antifouling
and becomingentrappedin those voids previously Antifouling
'osmotically'introducedwater;this
occupiedby the
would latercreateproblems.One accompanyingand
Gelshield Plus used in conjunction with Epiglass:
desirablefeatureof the solventlessformulationis, of
course,that the operatoris not subjectedto an EpiglassEpoxy @ -100 microns
unoleasantsolventsmell. Interfill 830 as required
GelshieldPlus (Blue)@ 150 microns
High-buildcharacteristics GelshieldPlus (Green)@ 150 microns
Generally, the thickerthe coatingthe morewater- GelshieldPlus (Blue)@ 150 microns
impermeable it becomes.GelshieldPlus,being100%
Gelshield 200 (Grey)as an antifoulingtie coat @ 50 or 135
solids,can be appliedup to 150 micronsthick for the microns DFT (depending spray)
e.g.rolleror airless
ontypeof application
first coat; an effectivebarriercan be built up with only
2 coats InternationalAntifouling
4 coats.
Gelshield Plus (Base YAA222 Curing Agent YAM21 Waterline
Blue, YAA220Green)is an alternativedevelopment
EpiglassEpory
in high buildsolventfree epoxyfor areaspreferring
lnterfill
830
pigmentedepoxieswhilstretainingthe highlyprotective
Gelshield Plus
elementand extremelylow water permeation
Gelshield Plus
characteristics of originalGelshield.The alternating
Gelshield Plus
coloursaid visibilitywhen buildingup the scheme.
Gelshield 200
It has inherenthold up characteristics higherthan those
Antifouling
associatedwith the originalGelshield,thus givingthe
potentialto use one less coat than in previous Antifouling
specifications (osmosistreatmentschemesof 4 coats
as against5 coats for the originalproduct).Additionally,
it has a simplifiedmix ratioof 2:1 and the abilityto cure
at temperaturesdown to 10'C,some 4 degreeslower
than the originalversion.Compatibility with Interfill830
and Interfill833 remainsunchanqed.
Option 3: Re-lamination
and Treatment System
Description of system
ffi
Epiglass@Resins as repair systems
Wherelaminatesare physicallydamaged,Epiglass
HT9000CYAA900 series)epoxyresinsuppliedas
Standardcure,Slow cure or Fastcure havea roleto
play.EpiglassHT9000is a versatileepoxy resinsystem
with a wide varietyof usesthe most common of which
are sheathingand lamination,althoughgivenits versatility
it alsogets usedfor gluing,fillingand fairing.Epiglass
Epoxyis extremelywater resistant.
Repairing holes in laminates
Whenthe blisterdamageis padicularlysevere,
theremay be a holerightthroughthe hulllaminate.
Damagedlaminatesare often repairedby what is
commonlycalledthe 'pyramidsystem'.ln this method
the damagedareais cut back into a seriesof steps to
enlargethe surfaceareato which the repairwill be
attached.The appearancethereforeis that of a pyramid.
Resinand woven rovingis progressively built up in the
repairareaonto a backingboardcoveredwith a
polythenesheet,heldagainstthe insideof the hu,,.
The board is removedonce the repairis completed.
This systemprovidesstrongrepairssuitablefor
overcoatingwith the Gelshield@
Plussystem.
This methodof repairis widelyused both in
the yachtingindustryand in commercialareas.
For full details pleasereferto the GelshieldPlus
ApplicationManual,availablefrom yachtpaint.com.
Your local Internationalrepresentativewill also be
happyto assistwith technicalenquiries.
lmportant Notes:
All representationsand statementsconcerningthe product(s)in this brochureare accurateto the best of our knowledge.Statements
made in this brochureare advisoryonly and are not intendedto be specificrecommendalionsor warranttesof any product,combination
of productsor iitnessfor any particularpurpose.To the extent permittedby law,we do not accept any llabilityto ary personTorany toss
or damage{director indireci)that may arisefrom any use of or relianceon any of the methodsor informationcontainedin the brochure
for any purpose.
UnlessotheMise agreed n writing,all productssuppliedand technlcaladviceor recommendationsgivenare subjectto the Conditions
of Sale of our supplyingcompany.Any watranties,if given,are containedin those stancjardCondiuonsof Saleand are the ontvones
made with respectto any productswe seilto you or adviceor recommendations we give to you.
For each of our productsthe relevantProductData Sheei, NlaterialSafetyData Sheetand packagelabellingcomprisean integral
nformationsystem about the product in questlon.Copiesof our Product Data Sheetsand Materia SafetyData Sheetsare available
on requestor from our website:M.yachtpaint.com
Internationaland all products mentionedin this brochureare trademarksof, or licensedto, Akzo Nobei.
