APC has developed and launched Triflex™, a direct-to-metal coating that offers superior chemical resistance, enhanced mechanical toughness and good UV-stability for the rail industry.
Advanced Polymer Coatings has recently introduced TriFLEX™, an exterior coating for the rail industry that uses APC’s newly developed triple resin technology. APC is also making significant investments to support this innovation. As a matter of fact, the company is expanding its factory with a multi-million-dollar project, introducing new automated production lines that will quadruple its manufacturing capacity.
Technically speaking, TriFLEX™ is a direct-to-metal coating that offers superior chemical resistance, enhanced mechanical toughness and good UV-stability – thus providing protection and durability in harsh conditions. The new solution has also undergone extensive lab development, industry collaborations and successful field trials, setting a new standard in the rail cars industry.
“The way TriFLEX™ has been developed and the aims we set out to at the start of the project are in the core DNA of APC, which is to meet the needs of our customers through innovation and to create stand-out, industry-leading products. It’s important when developing these new products that they’re looked at as long-term solutions, not sacrificial layers,” has stated Matt Sokol, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at APC. “We believe there’s a gap in the industry. You can invest in a coating with great chemical resistance, but you sacrifice performance in other categories like UV stability and impact resistance. The triple resin technology we have developed, working with global experts in their fields, sets TriFLEX™ apart and provides a complete package of unmatched protection and performance without sacrifice for rail tank cars and hopper cars. It is an industry first, and we are very proud to announce its launch.”
Moreover, field trials of TriFLEX™ have demonstrated its UV resistance, non-chalking properties, superior impact resistance and flexibility, as well as its ability to withstand splashes and spills of acids. Rail rolling stock operators involved in the trials have also praised the product's ease of application, quick drying times and rapid return to service, highlighting its practical benefits and efficiency.
“Critically, the response we’re having on field trials is showing considerable improvements on existing products with great feedback from rail companies. Unlike existing direct-to-metal exterior coatings, TriFLEX™ affords a much higher degree of flexibility, impact, and weathering resistance,” has added Jake Valadez, Global Industrial Manager at APC. “The one-coat system’s complete, triple resin technology is the innovation that gives it the competitive edge. TriFLEX™ has been designed to deliver exceptional performance in the harshest of environments. It is not just durable, but it also offers superior mechanical performance compared with traditional coatings. The advanced formula we have created further ensures long-lasting color and gloss retention, maintaining a vibrant appearance over time. We believe it really is a game-changer.”