TPi April 2010

Coated tube & pipe

Armacell adds anti-microbial protection

in conjunction with other elements can often collectively contribute to a ‘sick building syndrome’. The Armaflex products also provide passive protection to supplement and complement the active protection provided by Microban. The passive elements, forming part of the engineered structure of the product, include a closed-cell foam construction, which is an effective water vapour barrier. The material is also non-wicking and small surface damage does not compromise the integrity of the barrier. Armaflex is also free of dust and fibrous materials to prevent any combination of mould spores and bacteria that could cause or aggravate respiratory infections. This combination of active and passive protection ensures suitability of the product for use even in sensitive areas. Class O fire rating is also incorporated into the Armaflex range of products as well as excellent thermal properties, designed for both rectangular and circular ductwork as well as general pipework, flanges and valve boxes. The products are formaldehyde free, and protection against UV exposure, impact damage and weathering can also be provided.

organisms, disabling their ability to function, grow and reproduce. Because the anti-microbial protection is an inherent part of the insulation material, the protection provided is permanent and cannot be removed during handling, washing or general wear. The effectiveness of the protection is also maintained in conditions of heat and cold as may be expected in applications for thermal insulation materials. Microbes are a wide group of often microscopic organisms, which can be responsible for illness and disease in humans, particularly leading to respiratory problems. Given ample food and moisture, any surface can support microbial and bacterial growth. Where left unchecked, this can result in rapid rises in infection counts, which

Class O Armaflex engineered foam insulation materials, including sheets, tubes and coils, are now supplied with built-in anti-microbial protection providing continuous and lifelong protection against the proliferation of potentially infectious agents. These products are particularly appropriate for use in buildings with high occupancy levels, such as offices, hospitals, schools and leisure centres, but can be used anywhere to provide added protection against harmful microbes such as bacteria, mould and mildew. The protection is provided by Microban anti-microbial product protection, a technology that is incorporated into the manufacturing process of the insulation materials. On contact, this protection penetrates the cell walls of micro-

A selection of the Class O range of Armaflex products with Microban anti-microbial protection

Armacell UK Ltd – UK info.uk@armacell.com www.armacell.com/uk

Corrosion protection of steel pipelines by polyurethane coating

in reducing both cleaning agents and waste of material.

TIB Chemicals AG has developed a new high-performance corrosion protection, Protegol ® UR Coating 32-60. The new coating system is a solvent- free, two-component liquid, 100% solids, pure polyurethane which fulfils the requirements of DIN EN 10290:2002 (2002) ‘Steel tubes and fittings for on- and offshore pipelines, external liquid applied polyurethane and polyurethane- modified coating’, class B, thickness of 1,500µm, for a service temperature between -20°C and +80°C.

in order to achieve a polyurethane system with a high grade of polymerisation and resistance capacity against chemical and mechanical influences. The new coating has improved properties and is a very fast-set coating. It can be reliably applied on-site, without a complex and time-consuming application process, by use of a regular airless gun for product that has been formulated with a mixing ratio of 1:1, a density of 1.2 g/cm³ and a pot life of 10 to 15 seconds. The modified fast-curing system, using a fusion gun with two mixing chambers and tip air-blast cleaning instead of solvents, gives an additional advantage

Claimed advantages include a single- layer, homogeneous coating with excel- lent bonding to steel, providing good chemical and mechanical resistance (soil stress); the fast curing protects the coated surface against contamination, such as wind carrying and dust; and the coated pipes or pipe sections can be inspected in less time after application, holiday- tested and brought back into service.

TIB Chemicals AG – Germany info.cps@tib-chemicals.com www.tib-chemicals.com

To formulate this coating system it was important to select the ideal rawmaterials,

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Tube Products International April 2010

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