The new Quantum® V92 fluoropolymer topcoat from Dulux® is changing the face of Australian infrastructure by combining the brand’s colour expertise with outstanding durability and aesthetic protection.
The award-winning Lachlan’s Line pedestrian and cycle bridge in Sydney’s North Ryde is impossible to miss. Its sweeping helical-shaped form creates a distinctive visual landmark and its bright blue colour ensures a long-lasting impression, thanks to the durability of its innovative topcoat.
Designed by architects KI Studio in collaboration with engineering giant Arup, the 170m steel structure is protected by Dulux’s Quantum® fluoropolymer topcoat in a striking shade of Arena Blue.
An ultra-premium quality, two-pack product, it is designed to deliver superior colour and gloss retention in areas of high UV radiation. As the finish coat in a coating system that provides long term corrosion protection, it is ideal for infrastructure projects such as bridges, transport, marine structures and oil rigs, while its premium quality finish delivers extra durability to high-demand areas such as commercial facades, retail complexes, high rise offices and apartments.
Unique, long-lasting protection
Fluoropolymer’s outstanding protection makes it suitable for a range of weather conditions, including extreme heat. The 8072m2 steel Airpark Roof of the Qantas® Founders Museum, for instance, located in Longreach in outback Queensland, features the protective topcoat in Wagon Gold on its exposed steel frame. Designed by architects The NRA Collaborative and constructed by Watpac, the asset’s high-gloss colour benefits from fluoropolymer dry heat resistance 120°C. Dulux created more than 30 colour samples for consideration before Wagon Gold was selected for the project.
Quantum V92’s exterior durability significantly reduces infrastructure maintenance requirements. Elaine Chiu, Brand Manager, Dulux Protective Coatings, explains this presents both financial and environmental cost savings over the lifetime of an asset.
“Protective coatings are applied to critical infrastructure projects, and so they need to be tested rigorously,” says Chiu. “The chemistry behind our new Quantum V92 topcoat creates extremely UV stable coating that does not degrade as quickly as traditional coatings like polyurethanes or acrylics.”
Ecological benefits
Dulux’s new Quantum V92 fluoropolymer topcoat is capturing the attention of engineers due to the unique benefits it brings to infrastructure projects. Not only does it reduce the need for maintenance by maintaining the aesthetic of gloss, colour and thickness, it also helps to cut down on ecological waste.
“Every time you remove a protective coating, you consume energy and produce waste,” says Chiu. “This is the same for applying a new system – this includes energy spent for manufacturing, transporting, as well as human resource to apply the product(s).
“By prolonging the lifespan between maintenance, Quantum V92 reduces direct financial costs and, importantly, it reduces waste and energy consumption. This is a growing consideration across infrastructure projects.”
Colour you can count on
The outstanding exterior durability of Quantum V92 also ensures the chalk resistance, gloss and colour retention to provide long lasting aesthetic appeal.
“With this new product, our supply chain ensures we can match the required colour within a short period of time and the applicator can have the colour readily tinted in store.”
Colour is matched both visually as well as via Dulux colour technology. “Colour can be a tricky thing in that it can appear different, depending on factors such as light,” says Chiu. “Not only can Dulux match visually, we also match colour with digital equipment to ensure it is matched to a very small percentage of error.”
Colour was a vital consideration for the recent Canberra Metro Light Rail project, for instance. Designed by architecture practice Architectus in collaboration with AECOM, the project called for a ‘perfect’ steel finish that was low maintenance and that blended into Canberra’s bush-capital environment.
In addition to its high durability, the product’s graffiti resistance also makes it a perfect choice for urban environments, such as public transport, sporting facilities and retail facades.
“Fluoropolymer technology is becoming more popular for infrastructure projects in Australia because of the extreme UV radiation and the extended maintenance periods desired by asset managers,” says Chiu.
“Dulux is known for its wide range of colours and our new Quantum V92 fluoropolymer topcoat product ensures we can deliver these colours with a highly protective coating.”