AQUA AERO CASE STUDY
Setting the new global standards in HVAC&R coatings
Aqua Aero Coil Coating
10.000 hours ASTM B117 Saltspray
Test Certificate
Standard UV protection (ISO 16474)
no top layer
FDA approved (21 CFR 175.300)
No VOC’s/No Odor
AQUA AERO COATING FOR MICRO CHANNEL HEAT
EXCHANGER COILS.
Micro Channel coil technology faces many challenges
in the HVAC industry:
▝ Challenges with the costs of production
▝ Challenges with the size of equipment
▝ Challenges with corrosion
When faced with these issues, the manufacturers
decided to research coil and corrosion alternatives that
could reduce the size, cost, and instances of corrosion
while maintaining high performance.
Twenty years after automotive makers introduced Micro-
Channel coils to their manufacturing, the HVAC industry
is using it to increase efficiency, decrease the amount of
FASTER
Negligable capacity loss
Hydrophilic and hydrophobic option
ASTM E84, UL 723 (Class A)
& NFPA 255 Approved
Air dry
NSF Approved (category RX-2)
refrigerant used in systems and deal with issues
of corrosion – making it an all-around better, more
cost-effective coil for contractors.
Currently, the HVAC Micro Channel users have
acknowledged that an anti-corrosion treatment
for Micro Channels is required in high corrosive
defined areas. The only accepted coating until
today is an e-coating that is applied by specialized
coating companies and outsourced by the OEM.
This faces cost challenges for transportation,
logistics, extra stock and added delivery times.
Cost of the coating application is more than doubled
and exceeding customer maximum cost acceptance.
Warranty of coated coils cannot be extended by
service contracts, and are kept outside the scope
of the service provider.
COMPETITIVE BETTER
AQUA AERO COATINGS FOR MICRO CHANNEL COILS
Micro-Channel indoor and outdoor coils consists of three main components.
The “channels” or “tubes”, aluminum fins and two manifolds. These
components are brazed together during a hydrogen/nitrogen process and
inhibited by a catalyzer called flux. The brazes are effected in corrosive
environments and the Micro Channel coils will start to leak. Aqua Aero has
developed a 100% waterbased alternative to e-coat which can be applied
to the coils at an OEM plant or at the site. The coating is of similar resistance
as e-coating, without add on cost challenges and warranty limitations.

The coating is applied by a spray technique, that secures a full coverage

of the coils and has excellent adhesion to flux. Aqua Aero Coatings are
applied by global licensed (OEM) partners and performs excellently on
Micro Channel coils.

Test location

AQUA AERO COATINGS CASE STUDY

Aqua Aero was applied by our testing partner Tecsir in 2017 to Micro
Channel replacement coils for a number of chillers in Cancun, Mexico.

1 Location Zona Hotelera in Cancun

2 Distance to the (salt) sea 100 meters

3 Application period Spring 2017, by the spray technique

4 Prevailing wind direction Ocean winds

5 Sandstorm direct impacting Sand from the beach

6 Direct UV impact Yes

7 Pollutants Sea salt, sand and sargassum (algae)

The Tecsir company tested several different coating brands for their
Micro Channels and also non-coated coils in the same location inside the
same chiller.
▝ Bare and powder coated coil.
▝ Energyguard coated coil.
▝ Thermoguard (Blygold) coated coil.
▝ Aqua Aero coated coil.
 Following periodic inspection, The Tecsir company informed Aqua Aero
about the condition of the coated coils on site. After two years there is no
visible corrosion on the Aqua Aero Coated headers, braze joints, tubes, and
fins contrary to the others. This was the current status of all coated coils and
result based on their rating.

Worst Best

Bare and powder Energyguard coated coil Thermoguard (Blygold) Aqua Aero coated coil
coated coil coated coil

The Micro Channel coils started showing corrosion at the points where
natural and chemical pollution adheres to the surface. Aqua Aero shows
resistance to the pollutant at the severe exposure sites as in Cancun. The
picture on the left below shows the pollutants adhere to surface without
affecting the AA coating surface. After cleaning the coils, every six months,
by flushing clean water, the coating surface is as new as shown
on the picture below on the right.

Polluted Aqua Aero coated coil Cleaned Aqua Aero coated coil

The Tecsir company recommends the use of Aqua Aero coated coils in
severe corrosive conditions. In addition to the corrosion-resistant properties,
the staff of Tecsir confirms the use of the Aqua Aero coating because it’s
easy to apply, without VOC’s.
 Design: subsoda

The Netherlands
Phone: +31 302374074 ▝ Email: info@aquaaero.net
www.aquAAero.net