Non-Slip Coatings & Pallet Liners

Learn how these compounds are made and how they can be applied to fulfil a variety of commercial project requirements.

Introduction
Applications For Non-Slip Coatings
Product Profile: FP2177 Anti-Slip Coating
About Formulated Polymers

INTRODUCTION

Non-slip or anti-slip coatings are used in a wide range of applications. This guide explains how these compounds are made and how they can be applied to fulfil a variety of commercial project requirements.

What Are Non-Slip / Anti-Slip Coatings?

Simply put, these coatings give a substrate extra ‘grip’ by providing a molecular level surface or skin, which offers greater anti-slip properties than the substrate would without the coating.

The coated substrate generates a greater level of friction on the surface so that when an object is placed on it, it is less liable to shift around, reducing the risk of spill or slippage. Like other types of coating, such as paint finishes or flame retardants, anti-slip coatings can be added when a product is made or applied retrospectively.

Our anti-slip coatings are water-based, containing no solvents or other potentially harmful chemicals. This means they can be used in direct or indirect contact with food and drink products.

Anti-slip coatings are applied directly to a substrate when wet, using various printing techniques. Only when the coating has cured thoroughly will its non-slip properties become apparent. The treated substrate will have a more tactile feel that is immediately noticeable when you run your hand over it.

At Formulated Polymer Products Ltd we specialise in efficient, non-toxic coatings suitable for all applications, including food trays, anti-slip mats and pallet liners.

APPLICATIONS FOR NON-SLIP COATINGS

Which industries make use of anti-slip coatings and how are they used?

Food Trays For Passenger Flights & Trains

Anti-slip coatings, when applied to food trays, are able to prevent many spillages during flights and train journeys. Once it has dried out, a high-quality non-slip coating will allow for tilts of up to 45 degrees. It is little wonder that the passenger flight industry makes use of anti-slip coatings for aircraft support during steep climbs or descents.

Packaging

Packaging is primarily about protecting products and components so that they arrive in mint condition when transported. Part of this means not allowing items to shift around inside a crate or pallet when in transit. It could also mean providing greater slip resistance on warehouse shelves so that products are less likely to fall when being picked for transportation. As such, non-slip coatings are widely used in the packaging industry.

Indeed, food packaging often uses non-slip coatings to protect food which might bruise if it were allowed to move. Given that some non-slip coatings also offer resistance to water and grease, this means that they can be extremely beneficial to food producers.

The tactile nature of anti-slip coatings also allows them to play an aesthetic role in some food packaging. Take for example the popular printed coatings now found on the outside of many drinks cans, popular with craft beer producers. Many food products also have textured outer packaging, which is achieved using an anti-slip formulation.

Anti-Slip Mats & Pallet Liners

Anti-slip coatings are often applied to paper/cardboard sheets or mats, which provide high levels of friction on either side. Rather than treating the storage unit itself, these sheets can be used to line containers, boxes, pallets or vehicles as required.

Anti-slip sheets means that this technology can be used at a relatively low cost in different situations where a direct non-slip coating would be impractical.

Non-slip pallet liners are becoming more and more commonplace as cost-effective solutions in the logistics and warehousing industries. Designed to prevent accidental slippage of items that have been stowed onto a pallet, non-slip liners provide several advantages:

Increased Stability
The increased stability afforded by an anti-slip pallet liner means that items don't slip off their pallets so frequently, if at all, thereby reducing damage and product wastage. This is regardless of whether they are being transported by a trolley, in the hold of an aircraft or on a forklift truck.
Cushioning
Pallet liners also provide a cushioning effect between the goods in transit. If, for example, four or five boxes are stacked onto a single pallet, then a non-slip liner can be placed between each to provide a protective layer as well as to prevent slippage. Not only that, but many anti-slip liners also provide water-resistant properties to help prevent cross-contamination as well as damage from sharp objects, such as nails.
Sustainable Technology
Wrapping pallets in layers and layers of plastic is a common attempt to prevent potential slipping when in transit. Not only does this crush some of the items that are at the edge of the pallet's load, this method uses an unsustainable material for just a single trip. On the other hand, non-slip pallet liners can be used again and again and will still be of benefit in the warehouse once a pallet's contents have been removed. Unlike some plastic packaging solutions, a typical anti-slip pallet liner can be recycled once it gets to the end of its useful life cycle. This makes them a sustainable alternative to other packaging options commonly used in the logistics industry.

Anti-slip coatings vary in their properties and components, so please refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for application and curing instructions.

PRODUCT PROFILE: FP2177 ANTI-SLIP COATING

Our specially formulated FP 2177 anti-slip coating is a water-based compound that can be applied directly to packaging materials, food trays, anti-slip mats, pallet liners and other substrates. When dry, the coating increases a surface’s co-efficient of friction.

Developed using many years’ experience in the adhesives business and in consultation with our clients, FP2177 is among the most cost-effective and easy to apply non-slip coatings on the market.

Low prices per unit
Unrivalled lamination strength
High levels of heat resistance
Consistent quality and reliability

Properties

FP2177 has the following colloidal properties:

Total Solids Content: 47.0% +/- 1%
Viscosity, centipoise 600 - 900
PH level 7.5 - 8.5

Benefits

FP2177 has several features that make it an excellent non-slip coating for food contact and storage purposes:

Solvent-free water-based formulation: Completely safe to use with all food and drink products. The dry film components of FP2177 meet all UK, US (FDA) and EU food contact regulations for food packaging. Please get in touch for further information.
Casein and starch-free: Eliminates some common food allergens.
Grease resistance & water repellence: Useful qualities for food trays and slip mats.
Excellent co-efficient of friction: When dried, the coating delivers a static slip angle in excess of 45° (tested using the incline plane test method with a stainless-steel bed).

How Much To Use?

The optimum dry coating weight is:

Highly porous substrates: 8 g/m² (gsm)
Non-porous substrates: 4-5 g/m²

We recommend conducting internal trials to find the right dry coating weight for specific applications, as the anti-slip properties will be directly affected by the coating weight and porosity of the substrate. If in doubt, please contact us for free guidance.

A summary of storage and application guidelines is given below. Full information can be found in your Material Safety Data Sheet.

Storage & Handling

FP2177 is supplied in liquid form in sealed containers, which can be stored for up to 6 months between 5°C and 30°C. FP2177 is non-toxic, but the appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn at all times when handling the compound.

Avoid storing your containers in direct sunlight.

Preparation

After storage at cool temperatures (5°C to 10°C), we recommend allowing the dispersion to warm up to room temperature (16°C to 21°C) before use. The dispersion requires gentle stirring for at least 15 minutes prior to use to ensure all components are thoroughly mixed.

The substrate to be coated needs to be free from dust, lint and other pollutants that might diminish the anti-slip properties of the coating.

The substrate itself and any printing/lamination should be thoroughly cured before the non-slip coating is applied.

Application Guidelines

In order to achieve the best results from a non-slip coating, it is important to apply it correctly, and the method will depend on the substrate that needs treating.

FP 2177 can be applied using a variety of printing presses, with gravure or anilox rollers.
The coating weight should be controlled carefully on the press throughout the process.
Pump the liquid coating through a clean peristaltic pump from the IBC /container into the press tray.
Keep your applicator running during machine stoppages in order to prevent the coating sticking to your application rollers.

Curing

For optimum results, the coated substrate must be cured at temperatures of 95°C +. We recommend using an infrared drying unit or hot air tunnel. In tests these have been the most successful methods for delivering the maximum anti-slip properties from the dried coating.

Equipment Cleaning

Wet coating deposits can be easily cleaned from equipment with warm water, although dried deposits may require a solvent-based cleaner.

For further technical information and advice about how our adhesives can help you, please get in touch to chat about your requirements.

Find Out More

ABOUT FORMULATED POLYMERS

Thank you for downloading this e-book. At Formulated Polymer Products Ltd (FPP) we pride ourselves on our range of quality water-based products and first-class service. Established in 1988 as a manufacturer of bespoke latex compounds, over the past 30 years we have expanded our products to provide functional applications for clients in a wide range of industries.

As well as our anti-slip coatings, our products include:

Wet bond adhesives and cross linkers
Cold seal adhesives
Textile coatings
Flame-retardant foam and treatments
PVDC packaging
Water-resistant concrete and cement additives for the construction industry
Sprayable adhesives for furniture manufacturing
Pre-vulcanised rubber latex dips for balloons, surgical gloves, bottle teats etc.
Latex coatings for electronic products

Our polymer compounds are used to manufacture a variety of products, from carpets, to food packaging, wallpaper coatings and upholstery textiles.

Visit our website for more details! www.polymers.co.uk

Contact Details

Anti-Slip FP2177 can be ordered in various volumes and container sizes, from 25 kg sealed containers to 1 tonne IBCs. We also offer bespoke formulations on request and provide free technical advice to all customers.

For more information, please get in touch with one of our technical sales team by phone or email using the details below:

Call us: 01706 82 82 08
Email us: enquiries@polymers.co.uk

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