Products for the Architecture & Engineering

We manufacture, under licenses from the U. S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), a complete line of Fluorinated Polyurethane FPU^TM coatings for Architecture & Engineering.

Like most fluorinated polymers, FPU^TM provides a non-stick, low surface energy finish that resists soiling, is extremely stable (resistant to UV and solvents), is chemically non-reactive (nontoxic and suitable for potable water applications), and is impermeable to oxygen and water (provides a superior anticorrosion barrier).

Unlike most fluorinated coatings, however, FPU^TM does not require heat curing. The two-component (chemically curing) NRL formula makes it possible, for the first time, to apply FPU^TM in an economical thin film, using conventional painting equipment. Our coatings are also strong, flexible, and abrasion resistant, because during the ambient-temperature curing-process, the polymer molecules cross-link to form a mechanically tough surface.

These properties result in the following advantages.:

• Barrier-effect corrosion protection. Its impermeability halts corrosion by preventing oxygen and hydroxide (OH) ions from reaching the metal surface.
• Nontoxic. Its chemical stability prevents the coating from degrading contaminating products into the environment. Its non-reactive nature makes it so chemically inert that some FPU^TM systems (AS4020) are approved in Australia for portable water applications.
• Long service life. Its flexibility allows it to resist chipping. Its chemical stability allows it to withstand heat and UV radiation without harm (e.g., it will not chalk or become brittle like Epoxy).
• Easy to clean. Its low surface energy produces a non-stick finish that resists soiling. Its chemical stability allows the finish to withstand most solvents.
• Repairable. Its chemical (as opposed to heat curing) means that FPU^TM can be repaired in the field. In contrast to PVDF, if an FPU^TM surface suffers mechanical damaged, you can clean it and touch up the area with a brush or roller

These properties translate into improved appearance, and lower cost of ownership because, FPU^TM coatings reduce: the need for maintenance, the maintenance effort, and the maintenance downtime.

Products

We manufacture several versions of our WC^TM Series topcoats to preserve a structure's appearance and to protect it from corrosion in a number of different environments.

FPU WC-1 provides basic, cost-effective FPU^TM protection in a normal environment. The first picture on this page shows WC-1 used to preserve the appearance of a high-impact area (the water wall) at the Sidney Casino.

FPU WC-1 (BA) is variant of our basic WC-1^TM that includes additives that produce a surface that is very resistant to soiling by common graffiti agents. Stains do not penetrate the surface and clean off without leaving a shadow. The second picture shows a test at the Australian Post Office.

FPU WC-2 (H) is a version of our WC-2 ^TM Series, which provides an intermediate level of fluorination for added mechanical toughness. WC-2 (H) ^TM also contains PTFE, which produces a finish with very low surface energy. Low surface energy means that there is very little energy available with which a soiling agent to form a bond with the surface. That is, the surface is very resistant to soiling and can be cleaned easily, often with water-pressure only. The next two pictures on this page show WC-2 (H)^TM on exposed structures in Westchester County, New York.

FPU WC-15 is heavily fluorinated to provide enhanced mechanical toughness, UV resistance, and protection against salt-water corrosion in the most extreme environments. It is Lloyds certified (MATS/2481/1) for Salt Water Ballast Tanks. The last picture on this page shows WC-15^TM used on a sea-water intake structure at a petrochemical plant.

Systems

Steel Structures

A typical system for steel is as follows:

• Blast. Abrasive blast steel surfaces to White Metal in accordance with SSPC-SP 5 to achieve a surface profile of 1 to 2 mils. Air must be free of oil and moisture. Moisture dramatically shortens the pot life for the FPU^TM topcoats.
• Cleaning. Remove abrasive grit and dust by brushing and vacuuming.
• Temperature. Surface temperature during blasting and application should be at least 3 degrees F above the dew point and between 50 degrees F (10 degrees C) and 100 degrees F (38 degrees C).

• Striping. Brush-apply Epoxy Polyamide 21EP 150 Green primer to surface edges, seams, rivets, bolts, welds, and other irregular surfaces (see product descriptions for information on mixing, thinning, cleanup solvents, induction time, and drying time).
Priming. Apply Epoxy Polyamide 21EP 150, Green primer, 3 mils DTF.
• Intermediate Coat. Apply Epoxy Polyamide 21EP 151, Gray primer 3 mils, DTF.
• Finish Coat. Apply FPU^TM WC^TM Series 2 to 3 mils DTF.

Concrete Structures

A typical system for concrete is as follows:

• Cleaning. Clean free of dust washed surface with 2-3 Mils profile.
• Priming. Apply acrylic non-shrink filler, then a clear non-gloss Epoxy Sealer (ES010).
• Intermediate Coats. Epoxy Mastic Concrete Primer (EM32) 3-4 Mils DFT. Then Flexible Epoxy (21CC FE316) 4 Mils DFT.
• Finish Coat. Apply FPU^TM WC^TM Series 2 to 3 mils DTF.