Surface World November 2019 Surface World November 2019 | Page 70
PRODUCTS & PROCESSES
A revolutionary composite coating
creates fi re resistance for decorative
outdoor applications
HybridRED coating is a
ground-breaking innovation
in the composite industry.
The product’s fi re-resistant
technology is based on
ceramifying polymers. applications, such as the energy industry,
bridges and facades.
Finnester Coatings launches a new coating
product for composite applications called
HybridRED. Never before has a composite
product combined fire and outdoor
resistance with decorativeness. The coating
is especially designed for infrastructure HybridRED’s unique technology is the result
of five years of research and development.
The coating can be applied like a paint,
but when exposed to fire, it forms a ceramic
shield. Ceramification prolongs the ignition
times and slows down the spread of flame.
“This is a ground-breaking solution for
composite applications where fire-resistance,
high mechanical strength and weatherability
are needed. In addition, the coating’s
decorativeness makes it one of a kind
in the market”, says Ari Hokkanen, CEO
at Finnester Coatings.
“It protects the
composite from
fire, UV, weather
conditions and
vandalism. As a
decorative solution
it offers a smooth
and gloss finish with
a variety of colours.
Ceramifying polymer
backbone is the key
for HybridRED’s
revolutionary
features.”
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NOVEMBER 2019
“Although fire protection can be added
into composites, it means that the other
key properties are lost. HybridRED coating
solves these problems”, Hokkanen says.
HybridRED has now been launched in
the European market. However, Finnester
Coatings is getting prepared for the sales
worldwide.
“There is a clear demand for fire-resistant
composite applications that are safe, aesthetic
and outdoor resistant”, Hokkanen says.
“Due to the
ceramifying
technology, the
coating doesn’t
contain any flame
retardants, so
it’s nontoxic and
eco-friendly, unlike
most of the other
fire-resistant coating
products in the
field”, Hokkanen
says and continues:
Composites in
general have many
advantages; they
are lightweight,
strong, and require
little maintenance.
They are also easy
to process into
various shapes in
different colours. However, their biggest
weakness is that they have zero tolerance
against fire and therefore burn easily.
Case: Fireproof FRP
footbridge in United
Kingdom
APB Group Ltd were contracted by
Lancashire County Council to replace
two existing steel footbridges at Ormskirk
in North West England with new fibre
reinforced plastic (FRP) footbridges.
The bridges were 1 km apart but were
identical 28 m spans over the railway.
FRP was chosen as material because of its
lightweight, low maintenance and good
weather resistance. Both footbridges span
over the railway and therefore, the tender
documentation set requirements for
protection against surface spread of flame
to BS476 Part 7: Class 1.
“HybridRED was the only solution found
to meet this requirement in an external
environment with the additional benefits of
good performance for smoke and toxicity”,
says Martin Halpin, Innovation and
Development Manager from APB Group Ltd.
More information:
Ari Hokkanen
CEO, Finnester Coatings Oy
+358 10 422 1222
ari.hokkanen@fi nnester.fi
Finnester Coatings Oy is a Finnish
family-run business developing high-quality
coatings in different fields of industries.
read online: www.surfaceworld.com