Temperature indicating paints
Temperature Indicating Coatings
Monitor and prevent overheating in critical process vessels and transfer lines — with a clear, visible colour change at a defined temperature.
- Used in
- Petrochemical & process industry
- Surface
- Steel, EN ISO 12944-4 preparation
Thermochromic coatings
Paint that shows you where it gets too hot
Temperature indicating coatings — also known as thermochromic coatings, inks or paints — change colour in response to temperature, thanks to pigments that react to heat.
thenex TI paints are designed to improve the safety of refinery and petrochemical process vessels and transfer lines by revealing excessive heat caused by internal damage, such as refractory lining failure — early, and without anyone having to be close to the hot area.
“TI coatings can prevent overheating of a device or a specific area in the system.”
Two types
Reversible or irreversible
Reversible thermochromic paints
Change colour at a certain temperature and return to their original colour when the temperature drops — for applications that need repeated indication.
Irreversible thermochromic coatings
Change colour permanently once a specific temperature is reached — showing whether a surface has been exposed to that temperature, for safety indication and quality control.
thenex TI paints
Built for harsh plant conditions
Advanced overheating detection
A clear, immediate colour change at a specific temperature threshold — an early warning before damage occurs.
Robust properties
The cured film resists corrosion, weather, oil, grease, gasoline and mechanical wear.
High heat resistance
Designed to perform reliably under extreme temperatures.
Easy application and maintenance
For steel surfaces; shot-blasted to the recommended roughness in line with EN ISO 12944 part 4.
Visible at a glance
The colour change
Colour transition across a temperature gradient. 
A local hot spot becomes visible as a distinct colour change.
Application areas
Where TI paints protect critical assets
- Refinery process vessels — identifying excessive heat from internal damage or refractory lining failure
- Petrochemical equipment — temperature monitoring in demanding processes
- Transfer lines — visible indication of abnormal temperature conditions
- Valves installed low down or at height — checked from a safe distance
Thermochromic coatings are also used in the oil & gas, food, textile and heavy industries. Deliveries have gone to customers in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Product range
Indicating paints — the complete range
Formulations for different temperature thresholds, transition times and applications.
- Safe temperatures and transition temperatures
- Colour changes and transition times
- Order codes
FAQ
Questions about TI coatings
What are the advantages of temperature indicating coatings?
Unwanted heating in a selected area of a system is detected at an early stage — without anyone having to be in the immediate surroundings and without installing extensive safety systems. It is also a practical solution for valves installed low down or at height.
How much coating do I need?
We calculate the right quantity for your requirement. Send us the area to be coated and we prepare a quotation.
Are multicolour changes possible?
Yes, depending on the temperature range and the product applied.
How are thenex temperature indicating coatings applied?
The coating is applied from the outside, directly to the area to be monitored. After suitable cleaning, it is applied in two coats: a primer followed by the indicating paint. Any existing indicating paint must be removed completely first.
Detailed application instructions come with each coating, as they differ from product to product.
Why is a primer necessary?
Applying the primer is required and recommended by both the manufacturer and thenex; warranty claims depend on it. For detailed technical questions we can provide a corrosion test report.
What is the storage life?
Unopened cans can be stored for 12 months from production.
What is the service life of the coating?
An irreversible indicating paint is spent once its transition temperature has been reached for the first time and the colour change has taken place.
Are there special handling requirements?
Yes. Coatings and equipment require dangerous-goods packaging. thenex knows these requirements and has shipped to many countries.
How is shipping organised?
thenex handles worldwide shipping and knows the country-specific import and export requirements. As an exporter we are bound by global restriction lists and export regulations, so the destination and the end user are checked before an order is accepted.
Related categories
All products & services
- Bulk Material SolutionsUltrasonic discharge for powders and bulk materials — also for hazardous areas.
- Industrial Burners & Combustion SystemsIndustrial burners engineered job by job for steam and power generation and combustion system revamping.
- Combustion EquipmentFrom the first spark to environmental compliance: ignition, flame monitoring and emission measurement.
Ask an expert
Tell us the surface, temperature range and area to be coated — we recommend the right paint and quantity.
- +49 2871 2713 0
- sales(at)thenex.com