Breakthrough Coating for New, Rigid EU Train and Metro Fire Standards Withstands up to 1,000 °C
Finland’s Finnester Coatings has introduced the world’s first, fire-retardant ceramifying polymeric coating technology, which allows exteriors of trains and metro cars to enhance the safety of passengers and train personnel.
– A hybridRED trial recently won a certification for retardation of fire and smoke, even at 1,000 °C. Tests were conducted by VTT Technology Centre of Finland, the top research and technology firm in the Nordic region. VTT is also part of the European Transfeu Consortium, a leading standardization for fire safety engineering in rail transport, says the company in a statement.
With the new coating, traditional risks from fire and smoke in tunnels are minimized. Already used against graffiti, UV, abrasion and ice, hybridRED withstands up to 1,000 °C for train and metro exteriors.
– Meeting the EU’s latest (EN455545-2 HL3) fire safety challenge for train car exteriors has finally been achieved. HybridRED is the first proven coating ready for market, says Finnester Coatings Oy CEO Ari Hokkanen.
The coating product, which combines organic and inorganic materials, is designed for steel and aluminum substrates.
– HybridRED has the structural integrity to prolong ignition times and curtail smoke generation, which reduce the risk of fire in train or subway tunnels. This ceramifying polymeric material also protects carriages from corrosion, UV, ice, abrasion and graffiti. Smooth and gloss RAL finishes are easily applied and maintained, continues Hokkanen.
When exposed to fire, hybridRED forms a ceramic shield, which is stable, unlike carbon foam formed by intumescent systems. HybridRED is closer to incombustibility than any other coating solution.
HybridRED polymer ceramification
HybridRED polymers are derived from organic and inorganic materials. When combined in Finnester Coatings Oy’s unique process, new properties emerge, which are referred to as a ceramifying effect.
Key Properties of the coating:
• First certified EN 45545-2 HL3 R7 fire retardant coating for train and metro carriages
• Prolonged ignition time and curtailed smoke generation
• Anti-corrosion and anti-graffiti properties
• Ice and UV resistant
• Smooth and gloss finish for all RAL colors – also transparent
• Fast tack-free; no post-curing
• Non-toxic, no halogens or antimony trioxide
• Two-component, solvent based, high solid system
• Easy to apply and maintain
For more information: http://www.en45545hl3.com/#menu-item-01
