INCA was approached by the engineers at CSX Transportation to create
a replacement for the out-dated and problematic technology being used in
the manufacture of their 'coil car', a specialty rail car designed to
transport coils of steel.
Historically, this 'coil car' was
insulated by spray in place (SIP) urethane foam. While this foam was
thermally adequate, it came with some serious negatives that the
railroad wanted to avoid. Specifically, foam was expensive to install,
fragile in service, flammable, difficult to repair and heavy. Also,
there are potential health issues during installation of foam. Instead
of foam, INCA suggested the most durable Thin Film Thermal Management
Solution in our catalog: CH-202.
INCA CH-202 reversed the
negatives of foam use by being inexpensive to install, extremely
durable, easily repaired and weighing very little. CH-202 has a
water-based vehicle and offers no health hazard during application.
Also, CH-202 carries a U.L. class "A" fire rating when applied to
steel.
CH-202 Product Performance:
- CH-202 is most effective against radiant heat energy, typically neutralizing 78% of the Thermal Infra-Red (TIR) that would otherwise be absorbed by the substrate.
- A nominal 4 mil (100 micron) DFT layer is the equivalent of 4 inches (10 cm) of foam insulation against radiant heat gain.
- While operating as a radiant barrier, CH-202 will maintain a temperature within a few degrees of ambient, resulting in the potential temperature.
INCA supplied CH-202 to the CSX Research Lab in Waycross, GA, for
laboratory testing and a field trial of CH-202 in 'coil car' service.
After nearly two years of evaluation, CSX came back to
INCA with the positive results of their tests. These lab and field
trials proved that CH-202 was thermally identical to the foam, but of
course without any of the negatives of the foam application.
CSX placed an order for a new build of 'coil cars' and INCA CH-202
was specified as the insulating layer. The car order was built over the
following year and INCA went into 'official' status with CSX.
Since that initial engagement, INCA has supplied Thin Film Thermal
Management products to CSX for approximately 1,000 coil car units, built
over several years. Building on the proven results garnered over the
years, our strong working relationship with CSX continues to this day as
we develop new uses on other rolling stock.
