Sika® Unitherm® Platinum Rail

Interior and exterior intumescent coating for rail vehicles

Sika® Unitherm® Platinum Rail is a 2-component solvent-free intumescent fire-protection coating based on epoxy resin. It is suitable for coatings of components made of metal, wood and GRP laminates in rail vehicles, in both internal or external applications. Thanks to its abrasion resistance Sika® Unitherm® Platinum Rail contributes to protect surfaces from corrosion. When exposed to heat, it swells forming a heat insulating layer thus providing passive fire protection.   

  • ​​​​​​High shock, impact and abrasion resistance
  • Application directly on sand blasted metal without primer
  • Wet film thickness = dry film thickness
  • Can be applied in one layer for up to 4 mm
  • Short coating and curing time (24 hours)
  • Halogen free
  • Meets
    EN 45545-3 R45 / EN 45545-2 R1/R7
    NFPA 130
    ASTM E 162 / ASTM E662
 
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PRODUCT BENEFITS

  • ​​​​​​High shock, impact and abrasion resistance
  • Application directly on sand blasted metal without primer
  • Wet film thickness = dry film thickness
  • Can be applied in one layer for up to 4 mm
  • Short coating and curing time (24 hours)
  • Halogen free
  • Meets
    EN 45545-3 R45 / EN 45545-2 R1/R7
    NFPA 130
    ASTM E 162 / ASTM E662
 

Areas of Application

Sika® Unitherm® Platinum Rail is designed primarily for in-shop applications. It is typically used in the production of rail vehicles for coating internal or external aluminum, steel and GRP surfaces. Sika® Unitherm® Platinum Rail is suitable for experienced professional users only. Tests with actual substrates and conditions have to be performed ensuring adhesion and material compatibility.  

Packaging

 

Sika® Unitherm® Platinum Rail (A)

Pail 

15 kg

Sika® Unitherm® Platinum Rail (B)

Can

1.8 kg

Product Details

Typical Product Data
Chemical base

2-component epoxy

Color

Light grey

Cure mechanism

Polyaddition

Density

mixed

1.45 kg/l

Solid content (CQP002-2)

100 %

Mixing ratio

by weight

by volume

100 : 12

100 : 18.4

Application temperature

ambient, product, substrate

10 ─ 40 °C

Pot-life

at 20 °C

at 35 °C

30 minutes

 15 minutes

Curing time

touch dry

hard dry (ready for handling and transport)

8 hours A

24 hours A

Compressive strength (ISO 604)

45 MPa 

Bonding strength (Pull-off) (CQP057-3 / ISO 4624)

10 MPa

Tensile strength (CQP036-1 / 580-5,-6 / ISO 527-2)

10 MPa

Abrasion resistance (ISO 5470-1)

1000 g; disc: CS 10

65 mg/1000 R

Shelf life

24 months

CQP = Corporate Quality Procedure

A) 23 °C / 50 % r.h.

Application

Application Information

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Application by airless spray will give the best results and is recommended to achieve uniform thickness and appearance. In case of application by roller or brush, additional layers may become necessary to achieve the required coating thickness, depending on type of construction, site conditions, color shade etc.

Prior to the application it is recommended to perform a trial on site to ensure the selected application method will provide the requested results.

Such an airless spray equipment contains a single pump or a plural pump with a flow heater. A suitable setup could typically looks like as follows:
- Pressure ratio ≥ 66 : 1
- Air flow rate ≥ 24 l/min
- pressure at the spray gun ≥ 200 bar
- nozzle size: 0.019 ─ 0.025" (0.48 ─ 0.64 mm)
- spraying angle: 20 ─ 40°

The material temperature can reach up to 35 °C at the nozzle.

The filter mesh is not required and can be removed. Use direct material feed (without suction hose). At low temperatures it is recommended to use insulated spray hoses of a maximum length of 25 m.

Sika® Unitherm® Platinum Rail must not be diluted!

Surface preparation

Steel surfaces require a blast cleaning to Sa 2.5 according ISO 8501-1. 

Aluminium and galvanised steel surfaces require sweep blasting according ISO 12944-4. 

Prior to application surfaces must be free from dirt grease or oil.

For other substrates tests must be carried out on the specific surfaces. For contaminated and weathered surfaces of galvanised steel or primed areas, an appropriate cleaning is mandatory.

Application

Sika® Unitherm® Platinum Rail can be applied with ambient and surface temperatures between 10 °C and 40 °C. Optimum results are achieved at temperatures above 15 °C. If the products has been stored at lower temperature it is recommended to condition it close to the production line for 24 hours to 48 hours prior the use. 

Relative humidity must not exceed 80 % and the ambient temperature has to be ≥ 3 °C above dew point.

If an additional layer is required, the minimum waiting time is 8 hours (20 °C), whereas the maximum is 7 days for interior and 2 days for exterior applications.

Note: The previously applied coating must be dry and free from any dirt, moisture or contaminants that could prevent or reduce adhesion.

If waiting times are longer than indicated, the last applied coating must treated by mechanical means, e.g. grinding, etc.

Temporary storage or transport of coated constructions must be carried out in a suitable manner. It is "good practice" that straps or chains are not brought into direct contact with the coated surface.

For repairs it is required to abrade coating areas to a matt finish and clean off dust. Use masking tape if necessary and then apply Sika® Unitherm® Platinum Rail.

Removal

Clean the pump and tools immediately after use with Sika® Thinner E+B. Cured material can only be removed mechanically.

STORAGE CONDITIONS

Sika® Unitherm® Platinum Rail has to be kept between 5 °C and 30 °C in a dry place. Do not expose it to direct sunlight or frost. After opening of the packaging, the content has to be protected against humidity.