Monthly Archives :

January 2021

Combining Color Fastness and Durability to Meet Advanced Playground Surface Needs

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The Market

Safety & Playground Surfaces

The Challenge

As outdoor safety surfaces and playgrounds continue to evolve in requirements, complexity, and customization, end-user customers need products that can meet both industry standards as well as their unique design specifications. These systems must be consistent upon installment, account accurately for climatic conditions, and be highly durable against damages from both UV exposure and usage. Additionally, while brightly colored EPDM rubber appears colorful and vibrant immediately after installation, it often shows a significant amount of yellowing over a short period of exposure to UV rays. This is caused by yellowing of the polyurethane adhesive used, and ultimately renders the surface aesthetically unappealing.

The Solution

Carlisle’s team of chemists has developed an alternative technology to meet today’s play and safety surface requirements, while also maintaining color fastness. While other color fast binders on the market provide an improvement over standard MDI binder, they generally cause installation crews to have a very difficult time working with the material. In response, Carlisle created an aliphatic isocyanate chemistry with the same installation characteristics as standard MDI binder, which greatly reduced installation time and expense over other color fast binders on the market. Additionally, the color fastness achieved continues to surpass any other product options available today.

Learn more about our rubber and EPDM capabilities at www.UltimateRb.com.

Supporting the Community with a Safer Surface

 150 150 Carlisle Polyurethane Systems

The Market

Safety & Playground Surfaces

The Challenge

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), through the Parks Build Community Initiative, selected a location to restore a park in St. Louis, MO – the host city of its annual conference. In 2016, the NRPA chose to take on a new challenge, creating a park from scratch. The suburb of Wellston was chosen as the prime location to create Trojan Park, a state-of-the-art gathering place for youth, families, and adults. This large park, over 1-acre in size, required a safety surface that was not only durable enough to support heavy traffic, but was also aesthetically pleasing, eco-friendly, and safe.

The Solution

Carlisle Polyurethane Systems, a St. Louis-based company, was proud to donate its Tru-Motion binder product to support NRPA with this project. Tru-Motion, a moisture-cure binder for use in the construction of bonded rubber granule type surfaces, exhibits reactivity and cure rates similar as MDI-based binders. The binder’s excellent color fastness and exterior durability allow the use of light-colored EPDM granules without the objectionable yellowing encountered when using MDI and TDI binders. Tru-Motion products provide an eco-friendly, highly durable, and visually appealing ground cover.
Carlisle chemists were on-site daily to oversee the installation of the base (aromatic) and top (aliphatic) coats. Working under a tight deadline, installers were able to cover this large area with the rubberized material. The entire project finished just in time for the park’s grand opening ceremonies… and for the eager kids waiting to try out the playground equipment!

In Outdoor Tracks, Consistency is Key

 150 150 Carlisle Polyurethane Systems

The Company

Pro Track and Tennis, Inc., is a family-owned business based out of Omaha, Nebraska. Owner Lance Laurent has been active in the track and tennis court resurfacing industry for more than twenty years, and proudly founded Pro Track and Tennis, Inc. in 2005. Mr. Laurent has extensive knowledge of the sports surfacing industry and has personally installed more than 400 running tracks and just as many court surfaces.

“Carlisle’s staff provides the type of accessibility and support to help make us more successful” – Lance Laurent

The Challenge

The unpredictability on the jobsite and of the weather are our two biggest challenges. In this business, work cannot be completed when it is raining, and heat and humidity can pose issues during the curing process. We do not want the materials to set too quickly which is contingent upon the climatic conditions on-site. Also, if there is any irregularity in the asphalt planarity, our contractors will have to take extra care to ensure even installation of the system. Each job is a little different, so preparing our contractors to deliver a consistent end-product every time, despite varying conditions, poses a real challenge.

The Solution

Product consistency is the key element to enable our contractors to overcome these challenges. We have used various products from other manufacturers, but we found they can perform differently from one job to another. Our two lead track installers, who each have more than 20 years of experience, stated that the Tru-Motion products provide consistency. They are the ones handling the product day-in and day-out, and I have only heard positive feedback from them. They specifically like the structural spray because it consistently delivers excellent coverage.

What is important to me is the products are competitively priced and my contractors are familiar and successful with the products. Anything that causes problems in the field can slow you down and cost you money. If something does not go as planned, the provided support is very important, and the Carlisle staff provides the type of accessibility and support to help make us more successful.

protrackandtennis.com

Protecting Valuable Physical Assets during Seasonal Weather Changes

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Cold weather has already arrived in many parts of the U.S. and North America—and the heavier winter months are just around the corner. As the cool air descends upon us, now is an ideal time to take stock of your most important physical assets—and especially your vehicles—and check to see how prepared they are to handle the inclement weather. Wind, sleet, rain and even snow—with non-stop days of continued wetter climate—can take a toll on vehicle and pick-up truck exteriors, fenders, wheel wells, bumpers rocker panels and more. Whether you operate your vehicle for recreational use, run a sole proprietor transportation business, drive a tractor for a privately owned farm, or own a series of commercial vehicles, your investment—and even your livelihood—can depend on making sound decisions when it comes to safeguarding your essential equipment during the colder months.

Did you know? Vehicles, trucks and other equipment can age prematurely from repeated poor weather exposure. The same is true and applies to ANY seasonal changes. Above average hot weather temperatures come summertime are no exception. The damage to valuable equipment from literally “baking” in extreme heat over long periods of time can be deleterious to traditional exterior paint jobs and cause metal surfaces and flatbeds to literally degrade, if not properly prepared. But the harsh winter elements can be particularly hard on equipment surfaces of all types. Ideally, equipment should be stored in indoor garages or storage facilities or under covered awnings throughout the winter season. This is especially true in regions of the northern U.S. that experience less forgiving cold weather temperatures.

But during the winter season, and year-round, Bullet Liner technology can serve as an invaluable “companion” for pick-up truck, car, vehicle and fleet operators looking to protect their investment. Bullet Liner offers the industry’s most trusted “high caliber” protective spray on coating. Our elastomer sealant is durable and scratch and scuff-resistant to keep surface exteriors in top shape all through the cold season. Additional benefits include:

• Bullet Liner offers UV and color protection to keep surface colors bright and vibrant despite temperature extremes.
• Our heavy-duty, tensile strength coating is impervious to dings from mud, rocks, ice and other flying debris that can result from more treacherous winter road conditions.
• Bullet Liner’s premium elastomer protection doesn’t peel, bubble or crack—even in heavy rain or other formidable types of climate (including alternate hot temperature extremes, depending on your locale).
• Extra protection of your assets equals higher value and ROI on your equipment (better preserving their longevity and generating stronger resale value if you choose to liquidate).
Especially if your pick-up truck, car or cargo van IS your brand, you’ll want to keep it in top physical shape this winter—not just to ensure operability, but to maintain an appearance that will still be sharp and polished come spring season for your customer prospects.

Also, for general safety and smoother operability this winter, don’t forget to remove batteries from dormant equipment; lower/detach machinery parts (hydraulic cylinders, hoses, guards, etc.) from heavy equipment that will be “sitting” outside; and begin winter preparations long before the most brutal weather truly sets in. A few advance precautions can keep valuable equity in your pocket all winter long. Whether you operate a cargo van or utility truck, or run a vehicle fleet—or even if you oversee a large stock of commercial equipment that remains exposed year-round—it’s time to take stock in your preparedness to protect your valuable equipment.

To learn more about weatherizing your work-related inventory and your personal assets with Bullet Liner premium elastomer coating technology, please check out more information and tips at www.BulletLiner.com.