Cold bonding: repair without hot work
Cold bonding joins, seals or rebuilds metallic components using ambient-curing epoxy composites, with no heat input at all. Induscoat applies this technique on tanks, piping, flanges, structures and equipment envelopes — wherever welding is forbidden (ATEX zones), risky (cast iron, hardened steels) or economically absurd (downtime, permits, rebalancing).
The challenge: welding is not always possible, or desirable
On a live industrial site, welding requires a hot-work permit, area isolation, a fire-watch and often a line drain-and-purge. In an ATEX-classified zone (refinery, chemical plant), welding is simply forbidden. On cast iron, welding cracks. On hardened steels, it destroys the structure. On a process tank, it forces a costly shutdown. Cold bonding removes all of these constraints.
The solution: ambient-curing epoxy composites
Induscoat applies ambient-curing epoxy pastes and resins that bond to steel, cast iron, stainless, bronze, aluminium, concrete and composites. These systems can bond reinforcement plates, seal leaks, rebuild lost material and create mechanical joints without a single spark. The final bond strength can approach that of the parent steel in shear.
Analysis of the part, failure mechanism and mechanical loads
Surface preparation: NACE 2 grit blasting + solvent degreasing
Application of the epoxy composite and joint shaping
Ambient cure (4 to 24 h) and return to service with no hot work
Benefits of cold bonding
- No hot-work permit, no fire or explosion risk
- Usable in ATEX-classified zones with no waiver
- Bonding to cast iron, steel, stainless, bronze, aluminium, concrete
- No thermal distortion and no heat-affected zone
- In-service repair possible on isolated and drained lines
- Joint mechanical strength close to parent steel in shear
Systems we apply
Induscoat selects the cold-bonding system based on your substrate, service and HSE constraints. We apply Chester Molecular (cold repair composites), Arcor (anti-corrosion finishes) and our own Induscoat formulations for Canada's most demanding services.
Related solutions
These services and products complement the application described above.
Frequently asked questions
How strong is a cold bond?+
A properly applied repair epoxy composite on a NACE 2 blasted surface reaches 200–300 kg/cm² adhesion in shear and 800–1,200 kg/cm² compressive strength. This is sufficient for most structural and containment applications. For high dynamic loads, we specify high-toughness systems.
Can you bond to a wet or oily surface?+
Some formulations are tolerant to moisture and traces of oil — they repel fluid at the surface during cure. For best results and manufacturer warranty, NACE 2 grit blasting + degreasing remains the reference. We assess case by case based on urgency and accessibility.
Is cold bonding accepted by insurers and API?+
Cold bonding is recognized by API 510 (pressure), API 653 (tanks), ASME PCC-2 and ISO 24817 as a composite-repair method for pressure equipment and tanks. Our work is documented to these standards with procedure, qualification and inspection.
Which sectors do you serve in Canada?+
Refineries, chemical and petrochemical plants, mines, cement, power stations, pulp-and-paper, water treatment — in Quebec, Ontario and across Canada.
Tell us about your equipment to repair
Technical recommendation and quote within 24 business hours.
Request a quote