Anti-slip tray mats, such as those in the image below, are used in their millions every day by airlines and train companies throughout the world. They require a special coating that meets the food contact regulations, is non-allergenic and slip resistant when applied to both the front and back as they need to resist any turbulence during the flight or train journey.
Figure 1: Airline anti-slip trays from Sky Air Holdings www.skyairholdings.com
To cater for this need, in 2017 we released a new water-based formulation specifically designed to provide an anti-slip coating to for paper mats. FP 2233 is specifically designed for customers that apply low coating weights to high quality paper and have limited drying. This is achievable as the activation temperature to give the high coefficient of friction is lower for FP 2233 than previous formulations. It can also be applied to a wide range of paper grades where ii offers good water repellence, grease resistance and a high tactile feel.
When dry, the coating gives the substrate a static slip angle that retains stability in excess of 45° above the horizontal plane. This makes it perfect for keeping drinks, food trays and other items stable during take-off and landing, as well as during in-flight turbulence.
A summary of FP 2233’s key characteristics and application instructions can be found below. For all other questions, or to place an order, please get in touch by email at enquiries@polymers.co.uk, or by telephone on 01706 828208.
Characteristics Properties
- Total Solid Content: 46%
- Viscosity: 250-400 c poise
- PH Level: 7.5-8.5
- Storage Temperature: 5-30°C (optimum 10-30°C)
- Storage requirements: Store in sealed containers. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight.
- Shelf Life: 6 months in wet state
Application Instructions
FP 2233 is easy to apply and activate. Various printing techniques can be used, including gravure and anilox rollers. Before use, the wet coating benefits from gentle aeration/stirring for 15 minutes to optimise viscosity. We recommend aiming for a coating weight of around 3- 4 gsm dry for nonporous substrates, and around 6- 8 gsm dry for highly porous substrates. Bear in mind that the surface roughness and porosity of the substrate will affect the final properties of the coating. Therefore, be sure to carry out tests on your substrate before using FP 2233 in bulk.
During application, keep your application rollers running and clean any excess from the rollers with warm water before the adhesive dries. Dry spillages may need to be removed with solvent cleaners.
The coating should be dried at a temperature in excess of 90°C or above in order to fully activate the nonslip qualities of the coating. To achieve this, we recommend using infrared and/or hot air curing.
Compliance
In its dry state, FP 2233 meets a wide range of direct food contact regulations.
Wet Bond Adhesives
FP 2068 is a water based adhesive specifically designed for wet lamination of aluminium foil or metallised film to paper, glassine and cardboard. Details are available on our web site.
We also produce adhesives for the textile finishing industry, including flame retardants for clothing and upholstery. To find out more about our standard range, or to request a bespoke formulation, please get in touch with one of our advisers today.
