Sipco launches new two-component coat
01 January 2003
Saudi protective coatings specialist Sipco has launched a new polyurethane elastomeric coating on the market designed for use on a wide range of applications.
The Dammam-based manufacturer says its new Sipflex PU-333 two-component coating matches, if not surpasses, the performance of similar imported products, while offering the benefits of local availability.
Sipco is a leading supplier of protective coatings to the petrochemical industries throughout the Middle East, and particularly Saudi Arabia, where for over 20 years it has been supplying quality coating systems, for the protection of metal and concrete structures.
The company has, over the years, developed strong business links and technical agreements with the world's two largest paint and coating manufacturers - Akzo Nobel of Holland and ICI Devoe of the US.
Sipco's clients include Saudi Aramco, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic), Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), the Saudi Sewage Authority, and those international contracting companies who undertake major projects for these organisations and who form the industrial backbone of the Kingdom.
Elaborating on the reasons behind the launch of the new coatings, a company spokesman says: "The environment of the Middle East, and particularly parts of Saudi Arabia, are subject to some of the harshest conditions to be found anywhere in the world, with extreme variations of temperatures and humidity, combined with high levels of ultraviolet (UV-A, UV-B) radiation, a saline-laden atmosphere with wind-blown sand.
"Sipco's products and systems have successfully stood the test of time in this environment, and provided the company and its technology partners, with the experience and confidence in the area of new product development.
"Towards the end of the '90s, Sipco established that there was a significant demand from its clients for a two-component, elastomeric polyurethane membrane which would provide a seamless, impermeable covering up to 1.5 mm thick, suitable for the containment of water, sewage and chemical waste.
"Until now, these products have been imported from the US or Europe, with all the inconvenience that this incurs compared to local availability, let alone the very high costs. At the end of a three-year period of development and testing, the R&D department of Sipco, and its technology partners, under the direction of deputy general manager-technical Dr Ahmed Jomha, were satisfied that the development confirmed to the relevant standards, met the clients needs and was equal in application and performance to any of the imported products and the Sipflex PU-333 polyurethane elastomeric membrane was launched.
The coating is readily available in many colours, including off-white, black, red, yellow, grey and aluminium. It can also be made to the specific colour requirements of the client providing the quantities are large enough.
Unlike many factory-fabricated membranes used for water and waste containment, Sipflex PU-333 is supplied as a two-component liquid polyurethane, which is easy to apply on site, by roller, squeegee or spray, eliminating the need for hot application or on-site seaming.
"The speed of application, especially on structures having abnormal or unusual shapes, offers the client significant cost savings over the more traditional factory-fabricated membranes," the spokesman says.
He continues: "Whatever the shape of the tank, roof or containment structure, Sipflex PU-333, being a seamless membrane, guarantees watertight integrity.
"Damage to the coating during or after construction is simple and easy to repair, by just applying more Sipflex to the damaged area, returning it to as good as new.
"The tough durable film is UV stable, and highly resistant to abrasion and heavy wear and tear, making it suitable for the decking of both basement and multistorey car-parks. Aggregates may be added to provide a non-slip surface.
"Sipflex PU-333 is extremely flexible even at extreme temperatures, enabling crack bridging, and severe substrate movement without coating damage.
"With excellent resistance to chemicals and sewage water, and with a 100 per cent solids formulation and containment properties, the coating is a truly environmentally-friendly product."
The coating is said to be extremely versatile, and can be used in many fields of application, ranging from roofing to tank linings.
The spokesman elaborates: "On roofing applications, the coating forms a totally waterproof, seamless membrane over plywood, metal, concrete and other substrates.
"In the field of corrosion protection, the coating provides protection through the year against water and corrosion, on concrete pilings, cooling tower bases and supports, or reinforced concrete subject to harsh chemical atmospheres.
"In ponds and reservoirs, Sipflex PU-333 guarantees water-tight containment on virtually any scale - from wash tanks to reservoirs, including agricultural water systems, collection basins, dam faces, tank farm containment, decorative free-form ponds and swimming pools, pavement or concrete linings.
"On decks and pavements, the coating combines abrasion resistance and waterproofing to protect against water corrosion and carbonation on bridges, pedestrian and parking decks, protects utility flooring in severe applications such as sewage treatment plants and detergent or other processing plants.
"On environmental systems, the coating forms an ideal barrier to aqueous solutions including drainage ditches, catch basins, mine drainage and sewage treatment lagoons.
"On tank linings, it tightly adheres to all tank surfaces, providing a flexible elastomeric barrier to water and chemical attack.
Physical properties of Sipflex PU-333
Adhesion to concrete (dry): 600 psi
Permeability to water: 0 perms
Adhesion to steel: 600 psi
Recovery from 100 extension
After 5 minutes: 95%
After 24 hours: 100%
Tensile strength ASTM D 412
100 ml sheet: 400 psi
Salt spray ASTM B112: 2,000 hours
- Hempel charms, shows its mettle
- Pioneer Alwan guarantees a quality job
- Sipco launches new two-component coat
