Application
Thermal Energy Loss Prevention for Industrial Pipes & Vessels
Exposed surfaces — pipes, tanks, reactors — leak thermal energy continuously. Cool Touch is a thin-film insulative coating that slows heat loss at the surface, retaining process energy without the bulk, weight, or maintenance overhead of traditional jacketed insulation.
The Challenge
Traditional insulation leaks energy and breeds CUI
Process piping, tanks, and vessels lose massive amounts of thermal energy every hour they operate. The standard answer — jacketed mineral wool or foam insulation — is bulky, heavy, hard to inspect, and notoriously prone to corrosion under insulation (CUI) when moisture gets trapped against the substrate.
Inspection programs, replacement cycles, and the maintenance shutdowns that come with them push the true lifecycle cost of jacketed insulation far above what a single line item suggests.
Process and reliability engineers need a way to retain thermal energy at the surface without the weight, the inspection burden, or the corrosion risk.
The Solution
A thin-film insulative coating engineered for industrial heat
Cool Touch is NanoTech's industrial insulative coating, powered by the same insulative ceramic particle (ICP™) technology behind Cool Roof Coat. Applied in just 1–2 coats, it forms a thin-film insulative barrier that slows heat loss at the surface — retaining thermal energy inside pipes, tanks, and vessels without bulk.
Because Cool Touch bonds directly to the substrate rather than wrapping around it, it eliminates the moisture trap that creates corrosion under insulation. Inspections become straightforward; surface condition is visible; and the insulation no longer hides the asset it's supposed to protect.
Why process and reliability engineers choose Cool Touch
Retains process heat
Thin-film insulative barrier slows heat loss at the substrate.
Stops corrosion under insulation
Bonds to the substrate — no moisture trap, no CUI.
1–2 coats, no bulk
Lower weight on pipe supports, easier access for inspection and maintenance.
Inspectable
Surface condition stays visible — no jacketing to remove for inspection.
Lower lifecycle cost
Reduce inspection labor, replacement cycles, and CUI-driven asset failures.
Reduces Scope 1 & 2 emissions
Less heat loss means less fuel and less power to keep processes on spec.
Where Cool Touch retains industrial thermal energy
Steam & condensate piping
Reduce energy loss across distribution networks where every BTU counts.
Process reactors & vessels
Maintain process temperatures with less reliance on bulk jacketed insulation.
Storage tanks
Keep heated product on-spec while reducing heat-tracing energy use.
Heat exchangers & boilers
Cut radiant heat losses on equipment that operates around the clock.
Distillation & refining columns
Stabilize column temperatures and reduce reboiler loads.
CUI-prone insulation removals
Replace failing jacketed insulation with a coating that doesn't trap moisture.
Engineered for industrial reliability
1–2
Coats Required
CUI Risk
Eliminates
Visible Substrate
Inspectability
TIME Best Inventions 2024
Recognition
Spray · Brush · Roll
Application
Made in the USA
Origin
Cool Touch is part of NanoTech's TIME Best Invention-recognized ICP™ platform. Project teams receive substrate-specific application guidance, technical documentation, and reliability data to support specification, procurement, and turnaround planning.
Industrial thermal energy loss FAQs
How thick is a Cool Touch application compared to jacketed insulation?
Cool Touch is applied in just 1–2 coats and forms a thin-film insulative barrier that slows heat loss at the substrate. Compared to traditional jacketed mineral wool or foam systems, the resulting profile is dramatically thinner — reducing weight on pipe supports and improving access for inspection and maintenance.
Does Cool Touch prevent corrosion under insulation (CUI)?
Yes. Because Cool Touch bonds directly to the substrate rather than wrapping it, it eliminates the moisture trap that creates corrosion under insulation in jacketed systems. The protected surface stays visible and inspectable — addressing one of the most expensive failure modes in industrial reliability.
Can Cool Touch be applied to in-service piping and vessels?
Many Cool Touch installations occur during scheduled turnarounds when systems are offline, which simplifies surface preparation and application. In some cases, application on in-service equipment is feasible — coordination depends on substrate temperature, accessibility, and safety constraints, all of which are evaluated during project assessment.
What substrate temperatures can Cool Touch handle?
Cool Touch is engineered for industrial process surfaces operating up to 350 °F at recommended film build, and brings exposed hot surfaces toward the ≤140 °F (60 °C) contact-burn threshold defined by ASTM C1055. Specific application limits and substrate compatibility for higher-temperature service are confirmed during the technical review for each project — reach out for the latest technical data sheet.
Is Cool Touch compatible with stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum?
Cool Touch is formulated to bond with the metallic substrates common in industrial process equipment. Compatibility for specific alloy and surface conditions is confirmed during the substrate evaluation and application planning phase.
How does Cool Touch reduce facility energy costs and emissions?
By reducing heat loss at the surface of pipes, tanks, and vessels, Cool Touch retains more thermal energy inside the process — meaning less fuel is needed to maintain temperature setpoints. That reduction translates directly into lower Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions for facilities operating thermal processes.