Actan GS shines in Highways Agency trials

Actan GS water based primer from Pugh and Co International was successful in recent trials conducted with the Highways Agency on the A6 Fairfield Road Bridge in Buxton.

The trial tested sections of the galvanised steel bridge parapet were coated in Actan GS and then overcoated with leading manufacturers' topcoat products.

Actan GS is an ultra-low VOC adhesion primer, with well-proven performance on new or old galvanised steel and aluminium.

The purpose of the Buxton trial was to assess the performance of Actan GS as a primer/adhesion promoter used in conjunction with the registered Highways Agency (HA) formulations of topcoats.

The selected bridge was chosen by the HA and the trial carried out by the Steel Protection Consultancy with the co-operation of Derbyshire County Council, the HA and the paint manufacturers: Akzo Nobel International Paints, Ameron Paints, W and J Leigh, and Tikkurila (Kemira Paints).

The trial at Buxton involved adhesion tests and gloss readings at various points of the five different top coated areas both with and without Actan GS pre-treatment.

The tests were carried out after seven weeks and again after three months.

In addition, there was a twelve-month inspection after a full winter period.

Improved Adhesion The results are clear in the report conclusion, the use of Actan GS significantly improves the adhesion of subsequent topcoats.

"All of the Highways Agency approved paint systems applied over Actan GS show good adhesion to the galvanised parapet rails.

Where Actan GS had not been used as a pre-treatment/primer coat significantly lower adhesion was apparent." In addition, there was an unexpected gloss enhancement with the Akzo Nobel International polyurethane top coat.

Actan GS is a water-borne surface treatment/primer for galvanised steel, aluminium and stainless steel surfaces.

It bonds with the surface to form a film that is hard yet flexible, impact resistant and non-porous.

In addition, Actan GS promotes great adhesion with all commonly used paint systems including chlorinated rubber, vinyl, acrylic, epoxy and polyurethane.

Negligible VOC Content Actan GS is proven to perform well on new and weathered galvanised steel in extensive trials over the last five years.

It is 100 per cent water-based with a VOC content of less than 0.1 per cent to ensure more than compliance with both EC Directives and US environmental legislation.

This negligible VOC content gives Actan GS a considerable advantage when application is to be carried out in confined spaces.

Actan GS is both safe for users and kind to the environment.

Actan GS is part of a family of Actan environmentally friendly, water borne surface treatment/primer/coating products designed for ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

All have been developed by Pugh and Co International and tested independently to guarantee high protection performance.

Application can be by brush or spray without dilution.

The surface simply needs to be degreased and loose material or on older galvanised surfaces, corrosion products such as 'white rust' brushed away.

Fully Tested and Approved "The Buxton Bridge trial with the Highways Agency's registered formulations of paint is proof, together with the recent BBA certification, that Actan GS can now be safely specified by UK companies maintaining bridges, street furniture, lighting columns, parapets etc," remarks Roland Peemans Managing Director at Pugh and Co International.

For more information on Actan GS or a full copy of the technical report on the Buxton Bridge trial contact: Pugh and Co.

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