By Davies Hood, President of Induron Protective Coatings
When it comes to protective coatings—especially for the most aggressive and demanding environments—ceramic epoxy technology has a lot to offer. When we talk about ceramic epoxy, we are talking about epoxy resin that is fortified with a ceramic pigment. While the ceramic pigments that we use are only part of the pigment package, they are a very important part. The ceramic spheres that make up part of the pigment package in our ceramic epoxies pack a lot of power to add effective layers of protection for both steel and concrete substrates.
Induron has manufactured ceramic epoxies for 50 years–in fact, you can read about the original ceramic epoxy here. Yet, over the years, I’ve noticed several stubborn myths that persist around ceramic epoxies. As someone who’s spent a good portion of his career in this industry and leading a company that has been producing ceramic epoxy-based products for decades, I’d like to take a moment to bust a few of those misconceptions.
Myth #1: Ceramic Epoxies Are Only for Potable Water Tanks
This is one of the most common misconceptions I hear—and it’s just not true. While ceramic epoxies are excellent and commonly used in potable water service, their value extends far beyond the water tank. Thanks to their superior film build, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance, ceramic epoxies can protect wastewater infrastructure, structural steel, secondary containment, pipelines, and even high-wear interiors like clarifiers and digesters. At Induron, we’ve seen them outperform other coatings in everything from sewer systems to electric transmission towers.
Myth #2: All Ceramic Epoxies Are Created Equal
I wish this were the case—it would make product selection a lot easier! But not all ceramic epoxies are formulated with the same level of care, quality ingredients, or application versatility.
At Induron, our ceramic epoxy coatings are formulated with tightly controlled ceramic pigment levels and specialized resins to ensure consistent performance, long-term durability, and ease of application. The magical part is that ceramic epoxies provide a surface that has better adhesion than cohesion, which means ceramic epoxies are almost self-healing! With features for microbial resistance, reduced permeability, and “self-healing,” ceramic epoxies are nothing short of phenomenal. Believe it or not, we’ve even been told our coatings work too well!
Myth #3: Ceramic Epoxies Are Too Difficult to Apply
Today’s ceramic epoxies, especially ours, have been engineered with applicators in mind. At Induron, we prioritize user-friendly products that spray easily, hang on vertical surfaces, and cure consistently—even in challenging conditions. Our team also offers on-site support and training because the best product is only as good as its application.
Myth #4: Ceramic Epoxies Are Overkill for Most Jobs
If you’re protecting assets in highly corrosive or abrasive environments, using the right ceramic epoxy isn’t overkill—it’s smart. These protective coatings extend the life of infrastructure, reduce maintenance costs, and prevent premature failures. Investing a little more in the right protection upfront can save thousands in repairs and downtime down the road. When performance matters, ceramic epoxies are a wise, cost-effective choice.
Myth #5: Ceramic Epoxies Are Brittle
We often hear concerns that ceramic epoxies are brittle–like a coffee mug or saucer, but that’s not the case. The word ceramic in “ceramic epoxy” refers to part of the pigment package, not the resin system itself. These coatings are built on a robust epoxy resin foundation, which means they retain the forgiving application characteristics and long-term benefits of epoxy resin. So no, ceramic epoxies aren’t going to shatter like your favorite mug.
All in all, ceramic epoxies are not a gimmick, and they’re certainly not limited in scope. At Induron, we believe in protective coatings solutions backed by science, proven in the field, and supported by people who care about doing the job right!
If you have questions about where and how ceramic epoxies can add value to your project, we’re here to help. Let’s bust more myths and protect more infrastructure! .