Geotechnical specialist Maccaferri, best known for its wire-mesh Gabions used in retaining wall construction, has introduced a new, environmentally friendly protective coating for its double-twist wire based products, which offers improved technical performance and environmental compatibility when compared to PVC and HDPE coated mesh products.
The new, specifically formulated PA6 coating is an organic based, extruded polyamide material which is said to offer improved adhesion characteristics, enhanced resistance to mechanical damage and better cold temperature performance. Resistance to hydrocarbon pollutants is also claimed together with long term strength and elasticity.
According to Maccaferri the organic polyamide PA6 coating is also far more environmentally friendly then traditional wire coatings as it contains no pthalates, heavy metals or other ozone depleting chemicals. Furthermore, unlike PVC, it doesn’t emit hydrogen chloride during burning.
Extensive accelerated testing has shown that, compared with traditional PVC or HDPE coatings for wire products, the new Maccaferri PA6 system is 50% harder and is 25% more malleable, even after long-term exposure to UV. As well as this, results showed that PA6 gave a three-fold improvement in coating-to-wire adhesion, significantly more resistance to impact and abrasion damage, and achieved a 30% improvement in design life.
"Although offering better performance, PA6 is not seen as an alternative to PVC coated wire products, but more an enhancement. We see it being used when PVC or HDPE coated products do not provide users with the required design life, environmental or technical performance." said David Crowther, Maccaferri Technical Manager. "Maccaferri will continue to manufacture PVC coated products for use in less demanding applications" he added.
The new PA6 coating is available on the entire range of Maccaferri’s double-twist wire based products including Gabions, Reno [R] erosion protection mattresses, Terramesh [R] and Green Terramesh [R] soil reinforcement systems as well as the Company’s range of rock-fall protection meshes.
Maccaferri PA6 coated products are manufactured in accordance with EN 10245-5:2011 – "Organic coatings on steel wire"
