Armorcast Polymer Concrete and Fiberglass products compared to conventional material; Concrete, Wood, Steel etc..
• Lighter weight
• High load carrying capacity
• High impact resistance
• Non-conductive or sparking
• Non-combustible
• Superior weathering resistance
• Excellent chemical resistance
• Excellent insulating properties for cold climate installations
• Can be field modified with common tools to suit unusual conditions • Tamper-proof fasteners
• Ease of installation
• Zero maintenance
Covers: Slip Resistance Surfaces
All covers, equipment pads, etc., that are exposed to foot traffic have a slip resistant surface with a minimum coefficient of friction of 0.60 under wet or dry conditions. Armorcast Products Company slip resistant covers meet the American with Disabilities Act slip resistance requirements.
Materials
Polymer Concrete is a filled or extended plastic resin binder system having a structural fiber reinforcement for strength and durability. These systems were derived from Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) systems normally referred to as fiberglass.
The evolution of Polymer Concrete began with a desire to reduce the raw material cost of “FRP” products by extending or reducing the amount of plastic resin required for each part. This was accomplished by using low cost fillers such as sand of the granular consistency of face powder. These initial attempts were successfully applied to a number of common products where physical product mass was paramount in the end product usage. As Polymer Concrete research and development progressed, it became apparent that the “fillers” could be blended to obtain desirable physical and chemical properties equal to “FRP” as well as other generally used material. This discovery widened the probable application of Polymer Concrete with Armorcast Products Co. contributing significantly to its further scientific and product development under the name of “ARMORCAST”.
Armorcast Systems
The development of the Armorcast Systems includes the blending of the fillers and their effect on the material properties, the resin binder, the fiber reinforcement and the production methods. Therefore these are complete systems being applied to the economical production of high quality products. These products are successfully replacing identical items normally produced from age-old materials previously considered the only standard.
The Four Major Components of the Armorcast Systems are as Follows:
1. BINDER: We refer to the resin as a binder. It has the specific function of holding the entire mass or composition together and contributes to the specific desirable characteristics of the final product.
2. FILLERS: The Armorcast fillers are a defined proprietary blend of materials, each contributing to the property of the composition, and the final product. These control such features as abrasion resistance, impact strength, compressive strength and ultraviolet absorption.
3. FIBER REINFORCEMENT: Armorcast uses the highest quality grade fibers as its reinforcement. We utilize the distinguished physical characteristics of chopped, mat, cloth and woven roving individually and collectively to meet the required product specifications.
4 .PRODUCTION METHODS: The Armorcast production methods are as varied as is the proprietary blend of the Armorcast composition allowing the most economical conversion of raw materials into high performance products.
The Production Method Employed for Each Product is Determined by:
• The Armorcast Composition of Binder and Fibers
• The Specific Combinations of the Various Types of Glass Fibers (chopped, mat, etc….)
• The Yearly Product Quantity Shipments
• The Overall Economics aimed at Providing the Highest Quality Products at the most Economical Price.
In addition to the above four Armorcast System Components, there is a product feature offered to our customers that is not necessarily thought of as a system component but more of a result of the above four. The Armorcast System allows the detailed reproduction of presently used standard products providing the customer the freedom of interchangeability with direct replacement spare parts. The Armorcast System features will save corporations, utilities and municipalities untold time and expense by eliminating the need for a complete product design change.
LOAD RATINGS
Pedestrian Loading
Pedestrian loading is generally between 250 to 350 lbs.per sq./ft. applied over the entire area of the cover. This loading is generally specified for sidewalks, planters and parkways where no vehicular traffic is anticipated under any condition.
10K Loading
The 10K loading is specified for areas that could be subjected to incidental light vehicular traffic. 10K loading has the same wheel base as AASHTO H10, and ASTM A-8 of 8,000 lbs. plus a 30% load increase due to impact forces for a total wheel load of 10,400 lbs.
20K Loading
The 20K loading is specified for areas subjected to occasional heavy traffic such as drivways, alley and parking lots. 20K loading has the same base wheel loading as AASHTO H20, HS20-44 and ASTM A-16 of 16,000 lbs. plus a 30% load increase as due to impact forces for a total wheel load of 20,800 lbs. 20K loading is not appropriate for areas subjected to continous traffic such as streets and highways.
ANSI / SCTE Tier 5 Loading
Tier 5 is specifed for sidewalk applications for occasional non-deliberate light vehicular traffic. Design load 5,000 lbs. and a minimum failure load of 7,500 lbs.
ANSI / SCTE Tier 8 Loading
Tier 8 is specifed for sidewalk applications for non-deliberate light vehicular traffic. Design load 8,000 lbs. and a minimum failure load of 12,000 lbs.
ANSI / SCTE Tier 15 Loading
Tier 15 is specified for driveway, parking lot and off roadway applications subject to occasional non-deliberate heavy vehicular traffic. Design load 15,000 lbs. and a minimum failure load of 22,500 lbs.
ANSI / SCTE Tier 22 Loading
Tier 22 is specified for Driveway, parking lot and off roadway applications subject to occasional non-deliberate heavy vehicular traffic. Design load 22,500 lbs. and a minimum failure load of 33,750 lbs.
ASSHTO H20-44 or HS20-44 Loading
Deliberate vehicular traffic installations such as streets and highways. Armorcast non- concrete enclosures designed to withstand AASHTO H20-44 loading are fitted with a cast iron or steel frames and covers that can be used in street and highways for deliberate continuous and continuous traffic.
For additional information and technical assistance on our products and capabilities, please contact the Engineering department at Armorcast Products Company.