UV-curable anti-slip coatings for various areas of application

Featuring prominently in this regard is the composition and nature of floor coatings.

Anti-slip coatings are applied to floors to ensure safe traction when walking, even in the presence of slip-inducing substances such as moisture, oils or dust. Anti-slip coatings are used, for example, in train, tram and department store entrance areas and also on loading ramps. Anti-slip coatings ensure smooth tiled surfaces in bathrooms are safe to walk on.

Evaluation of slip resistance is primarily carried out by way of product-related type testing of floor coatings. The currently applicable test procedures are regulated by the standards DIN 51 130 and DIN 51 097. In all cases, the slip resistance required of a floor surface will be determined by the slip-inducing substances primarily encountered during the respective use. A distinction is made between areas that are largely dry and walked on in shoes and wet areas that are walked on in bare feet.

So-called R ratings are applied to areas that are walked on with shoes. These are ‚ramp tested‘ using the walking method in accordance with DIN 51130. Ratings are allocated using the following table.

So-called ABC ratings are applied to areas such as swimming baths, saunas and showers, which are walked on barefoot and generally become wet as a result of their respective use. These are also ‚ramp tested‘ using the walking method in accordance with DIN 51 097

Anti-slip coatings in practice

Primarily traditional solvent-based or water-borne floor coatings are available for on-site application. The slip resistant features are sometimes only first achieved on site by interspersing corundum or quartz sand granulate into the wet coating or alternatively the granulate is pre-added within the coating system. Such manual processing can result in the R rating of the anti-slip coating, which had previously undergone type testing, either not being achieved or even being exceeded in some cases.

The advantage of industrially processed anti-slip coatings is that system conditions and application volumes can be precisely determined to produce uniform surfaces that deliver the commensurate slip resistance for the tested areas. Beneficial application using roll coaters guarantees a uniformly applied volume and, in contrast to spray systems, minimal wear and 

tear. UV-curable anti-slip coatings that are quickly cured using UV light are best suited for roll coating applications. Depending on the volume to be applied, the throughput speed of industrial roll coaters is between 8 and 12 m/min. Materials such as films can also be coated with UV-curable coatings from roll to roll. Current state-of-the-art allows for the coating of 2-dimensional, digitally printed aluminium boards.

Innovative FREODUR UV anti-slip coating ES1927MRA999

Customer requirements are afforded priority in the development of new UV-curable anti-slip coatings. In addition to ensuring the requisite slip resistance rating, specifications regarding visual and haptic quality, cleanability, adhesion as well as chemical, wear and scratch resistance must also be met. The newly developed UV coating system ‚FREODUR UV anti-slip coating ES1927MRA999‘ is notable for its excellent scratch and wear resistance and achieves a slip resistance rating of R11 B with an application volume of around 40g/m². The medium-coarse grain fillers employed coordinate optimally with the base coating and are already uniformly interspersed throughout the coating material. Despite the slightly coarse surface, the coated area can easily be cleaned using conventional floor cleaners and water. Due to the minimal thickness of the coating, the appearance of digitally printed surfaces remains largely unaffected. Formulated with a solids content of 99%, the coating system is practically solvent-free.

Application process

The industrial roll coating process particularly lends itself to application of UV-curable anti-slip coatings onto board materials and adhesive films. Notable benefits are:

• Fast throughput speed of 8 to 12 m/min
• Working widths of up to 3 metres possible
• Uniform coating
• Low consumption coating
• Negligible coating waste
• Minimal wear and tear
• Extremely fast UV curing enables immediate further processing

To guarantee the tested slip resistance, the application process and settings are stringently regulated. Changes in the process, for example dual layer coating or a different roller gravure, may lead to changes in the surface characteristics that necessitate re-evaluation and re-certification of the slip resistance.

Application areas

Wet barefoot areas in showers and sanitary facilities

Floor advertising in entrance areas of department stores

Walk-on informational stickers on the floors of public buildings, airports and railway stations

Conclusion

FREODUR UV anti-slip coating ES1927MRA999 meets the highest standards in terms of safety and durability and is an excellent choice for the industrial coating of printed films and coated and printed board materials. The fast and homogeneous application offers significant benefits in comparison to conventional drying systems.

Brief profile Carolin Barth

Born in 1976, studied chemical engineering/paint-coating-environment at Esslingen University of Technology. Since concluding her studies in 2001, Carolin has worked in the industrial coatings department at Emil Frei GmbH & Co. KG with responsibility for development and product maintenance of UV-curable coating systems.