Nukote coating systems

Technological advances in POLYUREA coating formulations and in equipment technologies in recent years have resulted in a new breed of superior coatings providing distinct advantages that are finding favor with owners, contractors and engineering consultants.

These are replacing traditional coating, lining and membrane systems because they; eliminate common weaknesses of the older technologies, provide stronger physical properties, perform at higher levels of abuse and temperature extremes,  last longer and can be applied quickly and easily. These systems are suitable in applications above and below grade, and in immersion services whether in fresh, brackish or seawater. Nukote Coating Systems have perfected these Polyurea systems in a range of products that include 75 proprietary formulations designed specifically for varying usage and abuse levels.

Apart from the universal use of Polyurea, this article was written in an effort to summarize some of the uses for Nukote Polyurea within infrastructure market segments, primarily those applications specific to general construction, power generation, water, waste water, bridges and tunnels. 

Nukote polyurea has a number of advantages including:

• Fast Reaction Time and reduced down time
• Moisture and Temperature Insensitivity
• Excellent Adhesion
• Superior Elongation
• Superior Tensile Strength
• 100% solids and  No Volatile Content
• High Abrasion Resistance
• Seamless Applications
• Heat and Fire Resistance
• Long-Term Stability
• Environmental Protection

Universal Applications
There are a number of applications for which Nukote polyurea is ideal, regardless of industries including use in waste and potable water systems, pipes, processing plants,   storage tanks,  roads and other infrastructure related applications. These applications often include us with landscapes, gardens, ponds, water features, fountains, and the like that are present in almost any industry or development project

Nukote polyurea's fast reaction time (5-15 seconds) is a great advantage for facility maintenance, repair or to regain usage of the facility as quickly as possible which is critical to projects such as airports (including runways), sea ports, roads, bridges, sewer systems, car parks, flooring, industrial kitchens, etc., where the coated areas can be open for light trade use within an hour and put to full use within a few hours, compared to a waiting period of days for traditional coatings

Modern advances in chemistry have made it possible for polyurea’s formulations to feel soft and elastic as rubber and hard as a metal. The new Polyureas will stretch with much less force and, more importantly will vigorously resist punctures and tears.  These attribute makes Nukote polyureas ideal for any application where there will be some shifting to the substrate.   Nukote polyurea’s excellent elongation and tensile strength allow it to bridge cracks and gaps in the substrate preventing failures.

Nukote polyurea has countless applications in the power production and distribution industry regardless of type of power generation facility (Coal fired, Hydro, Nuclear, or Gas).    Hydroelectric plants have implemented polyurea as a protective coating for years for protecting concrete pen stocks, chutes, pipes, manifolds, floors, walls, steel turbines, and other substrates.  Natural gas power plants also have countless uses for pure Polyurea. The coal fired power  generation  plant has number of applications and is ideal for the  more corrosive areas and systems including the material handling system, cargo cars, the water, waste water, sea water  and cooling system. A geotextile Polyurea composite has found its way as a preferred system for lining Ash ponds

Nukote polyurea is an excellent coating for secondary containment in nuclear industry.  It works well as a protective coating and when applied over a Nukote geotextile fabric it provides an excellent secondary containment barrier, especially for storage of radioactive dust and other by products.

In the waste water, manhole & sewer Linings with polyurea is a rapidly growing market due to products ability to solve many current issues with ground water infiltration and installation speed. With proper surface preparation and substrate conditions and primers, Polyurea can be applied and return the cavity to service faster than most competitive systems with the fastest back in service and minimum disruption and gaining ground with municipalities worldwide.

Treatment plants and other systems related to processing wastewater provide an extremely large application potential for Nukote polyurea. Likewise, landfills need a protective industrial coating that is easy and affordable to install and performs extremely well providing superior chemical resistance. Nukote recommends using polyurea on geotextile fabric directly over well compacted soil.  This system provides a better system than using concrete and it is dramatically more cost effective.

Polyureas versatile characteristics make it an ideal protective coating in Bridge and Tunnel applications. From submersed piles (concrete or Steel)  in fresh, sea , brackish  or swampy water to superstructure and Deck , Nukote Polyurea and Polyaspartic have number of applications in Bridges as a protective , abrasion resistant waterproofing barrier. A specially formulated Polyurea is used as a waterproofing underlay suitable to resist direct hot Asphalt pour and solvents within hours of installation. Polyaspartic Polyurea is an excellent Anti carbonation, waterproof, chemical resistant protective and architectural coating with unmatched features compared to products being used at present

Nukote offers systems designed for Tunnels with Polyurea as a standalone coating or as a Geotextile Polyurea composite in conjunction with other secondary or tertiary waterproofing systems based on ground water conditions, shaft placement, warranty period and the specified design life. The system ensures a very long design life as well as a failsafe system to protect the structure even in the event of failures caused by geological movement, impacts of unusual weight and intensity or other unpredictable events or occurrences.

Ports,wharf, and harbor developments have found favor with Nukote polyurea due to Polyurea’s ability to withstand long-term salt water exposure, making it an ideal coating for pilings, docks, and other applications.  Its ability to withstand high abrasion caused by chains and ships and fast installation and repairs are also added benefits. Mining Industries are adapting to Polyurea faster than any other industry and have placed it far above the current products being used after the initial trial and success. Nukote Tailor makes product for high abrasion resistance, high erosion resistance, and specific to Mining industries apart from the liners for Leach ponds.

Nukote produces coatings and insulated composites specifically for applications common to chilled water storage, distribution utilizing proprietary foam insulation and coating that cross link to form a seamless system providing effective waterproof, insulation and corrosion control.

The above applications are by no means the full potential of Nukote Polyurea systems. Please contact Nukote for more details. Nukote products are backed up by global manufacturing and application capabilities, proven by our long track record in civil and infrastructure projects world wide

For more information  www.ncs-intl.net or send a mail to .

About the author
Kishore Kumar has over 20 years of progressive experience in techno-commercial and business development of advanced and high performance coating, anticorrosion solutions and services. He is a qualified Coating Inspector certified by FROSIO & the council for Norwegian standard NS 476. He has authored a couple of technical papers and conducted workshops on high performance coatings, particularly on Polyurea as pipeline coating.