Marine and power equipment
Damping Coatings for Marine and Power Equipment: Vibration Noise of Bulkheads, Decks and Enclosures
Noise in ship cabins and engine rooms partly comes from machinery through the air and partly from hull vibration that reaches bulkheads and decks and is radiated from the steel panels. A water-based damping coating (sound deadening / anti-drumming compound) addresses only the second path; panel vibration of generator sets, air compressors and machine enclosures is the same kind of problem. AN2-800 and AN6-S130 are the products for these applications. For coatings used on board, fire and other requirements must be confirmed according to the requirements of the classification society and flag state.
Where the noise comes from and what damping addresses
| Application | Typical problem | What damping addresses | What needs other measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ship cabins | Booming in the cabin, vibrating bulkheads and decks | Vibration radiated by bulkhead and deck steel | Sound from the engine room reaching the cabin through the air needs insulation and absorption |
| Engine rooms | Main and auxiliary machinery sources combined with hull vibration | Vibration radiated by steel structure panels | Airborne sound of the machinery itself; establish the dominant cause before coating the whole space |
| Power and machinery equipment | Generator sets and air compressors make enclosure panels vibrate | Vibration radiated by enclosure and casing panels | Intake, exhaust and other airflow noise |
Further reading: Ship cabins: airborne sound and panel radiation, Ship engine rooms: machinery sources and hull vibration (application notes, not project results)
Suitable products
| Model | Positioning | Typical uses listed on our website | Key data (from the product page) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN2-800 | Water-based damping and sound insulation coating | Rail vehicles and car bodies; elevators, ventilation ducts and equipment casings; metal components in cars, ships and similar | Composite loss factor 0.2 (with reference to DIN EN ISO 6721-3); approx. 1.4–1.8 kg/m² (wet) per 1 mm dry film |
| AN6-S130 | Damping coating for buildings and equipment | Machine enclosures, air compressors and power generation equipment; vibration control of HVAC ducts and steel structures | Composite loss factor 0.15 (with reference to DIN EN ISO 6721-3); approx. 1.2–1.4 kg/m² (wet) per 1 mm dry film; source: TDS v260112 |
| AN2-900 | Water-based damping coating, waterproof type (archived data) | Noise reduction of cars, trains, ships, box-type structures and similar equipment; extended uses such as incinerators, elevators, ventilation ducts and power stations; applications needing lasting water resistance | Water-based synthetic resin; archived data, contact Tech to confirm current values before use |
Candidate products must be confirmed through trials on test panels under the actual conditions.
Application and use
Please provide before selection
Use of the equipment or space, environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, exposure to moisture), substrate and primer system, performance target, verification method, and the coating requirements of the classification society or ship owner.
Marine requirements
For coatings used on board, fire and other requirements must be confirmed according to the requirements of the classification society and flag state. Our website does not list any marine approval; for marine projects, contact Tech@griwecolor.com.cn at the selection stage.
Application notes (AN2-800 / AN6-S130)
- Substrate: remove oil, dust and other contamination; test compatibility with the primer system and metal surface first.
- Film build: up to 5 mm wet film in one pass, approx. 4–4.5 mm when dry.
- Temperature and drying: application temperature of at least 15 °C is recommended; at 20 °C, 55% RH and approx. 5 mm dry film, full drying takes 12–18 hours; at 50 °C approx. 2–4 hours (surface air speed below 5 m/s). Keep ventilation available when applying inside enclosed spaces.
- Drainage: avoid standing water on the coating; keep drainage in the structure so that a wetted coating can dry.
- Test panels: prepare test panels with the same substrate, thickness and drying conditions as in production to confirm adhesion and application behaviour.
FAQ
Can a damping coating solve cabin noise on a ship?
First separate the paths. Part of the cabin noise is sound from the engine room travelling through the air; another part is hull vibration reaching bulkheads and decks and radiating into the cabin. A damping coating addresses only the second part; airborne sound needs insulation and absorption. Establish the dominant cause before coating the whole space.
What approvals does a marine damping coating need?
For coatings used on board, fire and other requirements must be confirmed according to the requirements of the classification society and flag state; the ship owner, shipyard and classification society decide this for each vessel type. Our website does not list any marine approval. For marine projects, contact Tech@griwecolor.com.cn.
Can the EN 45545-2 HL3 result of AN2-800 be used for ships?
AN2-800 is tested to EN 45545-2:2013+A1:2015 and reaches HL3, test report no. (2020) CL字第W1197号 (from the AN2-800 technical data sheet dated 2023-06-14). This is a result under a rail vehicle fire standard; it applies only to AN2-800 and does not replace a marine approval. Marine projects follow the requirements of the classification society and flag state.
Which product suits generator sets or air compressor enclosures?
The typical uses of AN6-S130, our damping coating for buildings and equipment, include machine enclosures, air compressors and power generation equipment. Its composite loss factor is 0.15 (with reference to DIN EN ISO 6721-3), according to TDS v260112. AN2-800 is also listed for equipment casings. Send us the enclosure structure, sheet thickness, noise problem and service environment and our technical team will help you select.
Can it be used in humid conditions?
This has to be assessed for the actual environment. Avoid standing water on the coating during application and service, and keep drainage in the structure so that a wetted coating can dry. AN2-900 on our website is a waterproof-type water-based damping coating; it is archived data, so contact Tech to confirm current values before use.
Can I buy directly from outside China?
Yes. Overseas customers can request a quote directly from us. Tell us the vessel or equipment type, the coated area and the target thickness, and our sales team will reply with pricing and lead time.
Need a quote or technical advice?
Tell us the vessel or equipment type, coated area, substrate and primer system, target thickness, and any classification society or owner requirements. Sales handles commercial questions, Tech handles technical questions.