When machinery alignment fails, the consequences are rarely subtle. Vibration increases, wear accelerates, and the costs of unplanned downtime begin to stack up quickly. For engineers working in marine and industrial environments, the chocking method they choose has a direct bearing on how long that alignment holds. There’s one product that fits the bill nicely, but what is Chockfast Orange?
Chockfast Orange is a two-component epoxy resin grouting system with a proven track record in some of the most demanding applications in both sectors. This guide covers what it is, where it is used, and why it continues to be specified ahead of traditional alternatives.
H2: What Is Chockfast Orange?
Chockfast Orange is a high-performance, two-component epoxy resin chocking and grouting system specifically engineered for use in demanding marine and industrial environments. It is formulated to maintain structural integrity and dimensional stability under conditions that involve intense vibration, mechanical loading, and repeated thermal cycling.
These properties make it particularly well-suited for applications where conventional metallic shims or cementitious grouts may fail over time due to fatigue, corrosion, or loss of alignment.
H2: Why Traditional Chocking Methods Fail
Steel shims and cementitious grouts have been used for machinery mounting for decades, but both carry limitations that become more apparent over time. Steel shims are susceptible to corrosion and fatigue under cyclic loading, and achieving a precise fit requires time-consuming machining.
Cementitious grouts present a different problem: they shrink as they cure, which introduces gaps at the bearing surface and allows alignment to drift before the machinery has even run at full load. In environments involving vibration, thermal cycling, or chemical exposure, these weaknesses compound. The result is a mounting system that demands ongoing attention rather than delivering long-term stability.
H2: How Chockfast Orange Supports Hot Running Machinery
Now we’ve answered the question, ‘what is Chockfast Orange?’, let’s take a closer look at what it’s used for. The material is most commonly used beneath machinery that operates under “hot running” conditions, which is equipment that reaches high operating temperatures during service and then cools when shut down. This repeated expansion and contraction can introduce alignment drift in traditional mounting systems.
Chockfast Orange compensates for these stresses by providing a resilient yet rigid support layer that absorbs micro-movements while preserving precise alignment. It is especially valuable for critically aligned, reciprocating machinery such as diesel engines, compressors, pumps, and gearboxes, where even minor misalignment can lead to increased wear, vibration, and potential failure.
H2: Key Benefits of Chockfast Orange
This eliminates the need for labour-intensive machining of steel chocks. Once cured, the material delivers a combination of mechanical and chemical properties that make it well-suited to long-term service in demanding environments:
- Compressive Strength: Chockfast Orange cures to a high-strength, load-bearing solid capable of supporting heavy machinery under continuous dynamic loading without deformation or settlement.
- Adhesion to Steel and Concrete: The material bonds directly to both substrate types, creating a stable interface between the foundation and the machinery baseplate without the need for additional bonding agents.
- Resistance to Oils, Fuels, and Seawater: Chemical resistance across a broad range of common industrial and marine fluids ensures the grout retains its integrity throughout the service life of the installation.
H2: Applications in Marine and Industrial Environments
Chockfast Orange is used wherever precise machinery alignment must be maintained under demanding operating conditions. In the marine sector, typical applications include diesel main engines, auxiliary generators, gearboxes, and propulsion system components aboard commercial vessels, offshore platforms, and naval craft.
On the industrial side, it is specified for compressors, pumps, turbines, and large rotating plant in sectors including power generation, oil and gas, petrochemical processing, and civil infrastructure. Wherever the combination of heavy dynamic loading, thermal movement, and a chemically aggressive environment places conventional mounting materials under stress, Chockfast Orange provides a reliable and long-lasting alternative.
H2: Installation Advantages and Cost Savings
In addition to its material performance, Chockfast Orange compares favourably with traditional alignment methods when assessed against total lifecycle cost. The case for epoxy grouting is not simply about upfront savings; it is about what the installation costs you over the years that follow.
The key advantages break down as follows:
- Reduced Installation Time: Casting in place removes the need for precision machining of steel chocks, which shortens the overall installation programme and reduces on-site labour costs accordingly.
- Minimal Maintenance Requirements: Once correctly installed and cured, Chockfast Orange requires no ongoing adjustment or remedial work under normal operating conditions, keeping maintenance schedules lean.
- Improved Equipment Reliability: Consistent, stable support for rotating and reciprocating machinery reduces the frequency and severity of vibration-related wear, extending service intervals and reducing unplanned downtime.
- Lower Operational Expenses: Taken together, these factors contribute to a measurably lower cost of ownership over the full service life of the installation.
H2: Certifications and Industry Approvals
The product, also known by its designation PR-610TCF, has been rigorously tested and approved for marine use by leading classification societies, including the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Lloyd’s Register, and Bureau Veritas. These approvals indicate compliance with strict international standards for safety, durability, and performance in shipboard applications.
As a result, Chockfast Orange has become a widely trusted solution for permanently securing and aligning critical machinery in both new builds and retrofit projects across the global maritime and industrial sectors.
H2: Speak to IMS About Chockfast Orange
Hopefully, this answers the question, ‘what is Chockfast Orange?’, and you’re now ready to move ahead with a decision.
IMS Ltd is the sole UK distributor of the Chockfast range, including Chockfast Orange, Red, Red SG, Grey, and Black. Whether you are specifying for a new build, planning a retrofit, or need guidance on the right product for your application, our team is happy to help. Call us on 01202 632868 or get in touch via our contact form. We supply across the UK and can advise on quantities, logistics, and technical requirements.
