Discover the Power of PZP 130 Zinc Primer Matt

When you’re working with bare steel or ferrous substrates that need serious corrosion protection, the PZP 130 Zinc Primer Matt from Thermaset is an ideal first line of defence. Designed to be used as a robust primer layer beneath your top-coat, this zinc-phosphate epoxy powder coating primer delivers exceptional anti-corrosive performance, especially in demanding industrial or architectural environments.

What is PZP 130 Zinc Primer Matt?

PZP 130 is part of Thermaset’s “ThermaPrime” primer series. It’s an epoxy powder coating primer containing zinc phosphate—formulated specifically for improved corrosion protection of mild steel.

Although marketed as a primer, it offers a matt finish and durable surface that can be used to build a multi-coat system. The typical curing schedule: partial cure 5 minutes at 180 °C (metal temperature), full cure 10 minutes at 180 °C (or longer as required for the top coat).

Because of its corrosion-fighting properties, it’s well suited for use where a top coat might otherwise struggle on untreated or marginally prepared steel.

Key Features & Technical Highlights

Zinc phosphate epoxy primer — enhances protection on ferrous metals.
Excellent corrosion resistance: For example, panels with PZP 130 were tested under neutral salt spray (ASTM B117) and passed 1,000 hours with corrosion creep < 2 mm from the scribe.
Strong mechanical performance: Flexibility (ISO 1519) pass ≥ 5 mm, Buchholz hardness ≥ 80, adhesion (2 mm cross-hatch) Gt 0.
Matt finish — while being a primer, its matt surface also helps hide imperfections in the substrate, making it advantageous when surface quality is less than perfect.
Versatile application — suitable for many metal substrates, and designed to be over-coated with a suitable top coat depending on the end-use.

Typical Use-Cases & Applications

Fabricated steel structures, frames and components where corrosion resistance is critical (railings, structural supports, external steelwork).
Architectural metalwork requiring a strong primer base before a decorative top-coat.
Industrial equipment, enclosures and metal cabinets subject to moisture, humidity or corrosive atmospheres.
Marine or coastal support structures, where salt spray exposure is a major factor (provided correct top coat is applied over the primer).
Repair or refurbishment projects where existing steel may not be ideally pre-treated; PZP 130 provides a robust primer even when optimal conversion coatings may be marginal.

Application & Specification Tips

Substrate prep matters: The metal to be coated must be clean, rust-free, oil/grease-free, and free of mill-scale. The data sheet recommends at least solvent vapour degreasing; for greatest corrosion protection, grit-blast to SA 2.5 (Rz 35-65 µm, Ra 6-10 µm) or use chemical conversion (phosphate/chromate) pre-treatments.Film thickness control: Recommended dry film thickness is around 60-70 µm for optimum performance with the PZP 130 system.
Over-coating: PZP 130 is designed to be over-coated with a suitable top-coat from Thermaset’s range. Ensure the primer is correctly cured (and potentially partially cured if specified) before applying the top coat so that full cure occurs in combination.
Curing schedule: As described above: partial cure ~5 mins at 180 °C (metal temp) then full cure 10 mins at 180 °C (or longer, depending on top coat). Over-curing or contamination before top-coat can affect adhesion.
Avoid contamination: Make sure no oil or handling marks are on the primer surface before top-coat; if contamination occurs, mild detergent cleaning + slight abrasion may be required.
Edge coverage: For cut or laser-cut steel edges, ensure appropriate film build and correct treatment to maximise edge corrosion resistance.

Why Spec PZP 130 Zinc Primer Matt?

Choosing PZP 130 gives you the advantage of a primer formulated for durability and corrosion protection rather than a standard decorative powder alone. That means:

The top-coat sits on a purpose-built anti-corrosive base instead of directly on bare steel, enhancing the lifespan of the coating system.
In environments where pre-treatment might have been compromised or where high-corrosion risk exists, PZP 130 adds an extra layer of insurance.
Because the finish is matt and robust, you have less worry about slight substrate flaws showing through — an advantage in heavy fabrication or refurbishment.
It fits seamlessly into multi-coat systems, enabling specifiers, contractors and fabricators to build high-performance finishes with predictable performance.

If you’re looking for a high-performance primer layer for ferrous metal surfaces—where corrosion protection, durability and finish quality matter—then the Thermaset PZP 130 Zinc Primer Matt is an excellent choice.