New floors in minutes
April 1st 2008

Quaker Chemical has announced the UK launch of RapidShield – a UV-curable floor coating system.

Developed, tried and tested in automotive and heavy equipment manufacturing plants, aerospace and food factories, and distribution warehouses throughout the USA, RapidShield is designed for use on any new or existing concrete floor.

Once applied it is cured instantly by a portable unit that emits UV-light, turning the coating into a solid film which creates a strong bond to the substrate.This fast cure means that within minutes, the floor can be used again – vital where lengthy shutdowns or interrupted production cannot be tolerated.

RapidShield produces a durable, non-slip, gloss finish with excellent chemical resistance although this can be modified to produce a matt finish and/or enhanced skid resistance.

It can be used on floors exposed to direct sunlight without the loss of gloss and fading associated with epoxies. It is also more durable than other coatings,meaning that a floor does not have to be recoated as frequently.

RapidShield is available as clear and in a range of standard colours so can be used to create safety stripes,warning signs or simply coordinate a floor with other building colours.During application, it also has health and safety advantages over traditional epoxy materials for operator and those in the vicinity. It is nonflammable, contains no solvents or isocyanates and complies with the latest VOC and HAP regulations.