News 27/1/06

VANQUISH ASBESTOS ENCAPSULANT IS LAUNCHED

Isothane Limited manufactures a range of polyurethane and related products. Along with polyurethane precursors for use in the production of high performance coatings, adhesives and sealants, the company produces its own finished systems for use in the construction and civil engineering industries. By targeting these systems accurately, Isothane has put itself in a unique position to provide encapsulation, waterproofing and thermal insulation products from one source.

The company is well appointed to service contractors in the construction industry. We habitually work with our contracting customers in developing specifications for architects and deliver goods to construction sites all over the UK, Ireland and in export markets. Our product quality and delivery to promised dates are benchmarked against other companies in the sector, with Isothane consistently appearing in the top 5% because we recognise how important it is to contractors to get the right quality of product delivered to the right place, at the right time, in full.

Recognising the increasing concern about the management of asbestos found in buildings, Isothane Limited has developed a product, Vanquish, which has been specifically designed to meet those needs. In line with our normal practice, this will be delivered from our factory direct to the contractor's door, or other nominated site, without passing through the hands of sales distribution agents.

We have introduced a Class O rated liquid-applied asbestos encapsulant for internal usage, Vanquish E. This is a tough, flexible, water-based acrylic co-polymer suitable for asbestos cement, AIB and all other asbestos containing materials. It is a type of product with which contractors will no doubt be familiar, but our specific thinking in developing this system was that, as a manufacturer with an existing contractor base, we had the opportunity to supply it direct to the applicator, rather than via agents and distributors. This means that all the quality can be left in the pail, while the price remains extremely competitive. Two of the determining factors in the easy and successful application of paint systems of this type are levels of mica, which determine their effectiveness as vapour barriers, and the solids content, which critically influences their thixotropy. Having spoken to many ARCA members, we are aware that a primary requirement of any paint system is that it does not sag or slump unduly on application, nor simply disappear into what is intrinsically a porous substrate. In both cases, application time is extended and coverage rates adversely affected. Vanquish E performs extremely well in both regards, especially when used in conjunction with our primer liquid, Vanquish S.

Companies such as Shield Environmental and European Asbestos Removals have already used the Vanquish system successfully on a number of prestige projects. Vanquish is a logical extension to our existing range, as we have been involved in the encapsulation of asbestos roofing and cladding since 1987. Usually, the problems we have been asked to address in this sector are:

1. Condensation problems caused by change of building use
2. Leaks caused by cracking and weathering of asbestos cement sheets

The treatments we continue to supply in addition to Vanquish are as follows:

The applications of polyurethane foam fall into 2 broad categories:

1. Internal
   This is the most common situation in which to apply the spray as it is inevitably less prone to adverse weather conditions and can therefore be carried out at virtually any time of year.

   Essentially, the contractors first seal in the fibres by application of our low-odour PVA-based Vanquish S. This offers extremely good adhesion for the foam, which is subsequently applied at the correct thickness to achieve the required U-value.

   We are very much aware that the initial reason for choosing asbestos as a roofing material may have been fire safety. However, we are also aware that cost is always an issue. For this reason, we propose either of two systems for internal applications: Duratherm, a single application foam where Class 1 only is required; and the more expensive composite foam and intumescent coating system, Pirthane O, where the requirement is for a Class O rated surface.

2. External
   Where occupation of a building may be too constant to allow an internal spray application to take place, there is an option to spray a suitable foam on the outside of the roof. In this case, the substrate is prepared in the normal way to receive a coating and primed with Isothane EMP to encapsulate the fibres, minimise surface porosity and maximise adhesion. Thermadek 40 is then applied at the recommended thickness and protected from UV degradation with a suitable coating system, normally Isothane EMA.

This is based on urethane technology and as such exhibits exceptional strength, elasticity and resistance to UV degradation. It is a thixotropic liquid extended with aluminium leaf, which, on application, migrates to the surface and interlocks, providing a high degree of UV resistance. Although Isothane EMA is highly suitable as a UV protector for externally applied urethane foam, the general area of use is in external roof waterproofing where it will withstand ponded water and light foot traffic without any requirement for scrims or other forms of re-enforcement. Again, the substrate is prepared in the normal manner, then treated with a urethane primer, Isothane EMP. After the primer has been allowed to go tacky, Isothane EMA is easily applied by brush or roller without any requirement for heating, or for larger areas, sprayed by suitable machinery, normally a Graco King or similar.

For more details on Vanquish contact
Simon Knowles, Sales Manager

+44 1254 872555