Finishing options at HKO – our fully integrated process
The (chemical) textile finishing of our products is the core of HKO's development expertise. It is primarily about determining which material, base product (needle mat, fabric, multilayer), and finishing best solve the individual challenges of our customers. Our expertise lies not only in the in-house development of finishes and coatings but also in leveraging our know-how in combining various product components. We have the capability to rigorously test innovative and customer-specific finishes directly in our laboratory and can also draw on the expertise of our parent company Saint-Gobain and various research and development methods. All finishes are applied to the product in our integrated production process.
Laminations for needle mats and fabrics
PTFE lamination
- Temperature resistance from -54°C to +260°C
- From 12.5 micrometers; mainly 50 and 100 micrometers
- Single or double-sided lamination with a peeled PTFE film
- Mainly with LSR (liquid silicone rubber) bonding
- Outstanding chemical resistance
- Excellent non-stick properties
- Low coefficient of friction (0.12–0.05, depending on pressure and speed)
- Conductive (black) or non-conductive
Coatings for fabrics
Silicone coating
- Temperature resistance from approx. -50°C to approx. +250°C with excellent flexibility
- High resistance to extreme mechanical, thermal, and electrical influences
- Good light stability, UV, and oxidation resistance
- Mostly resistant to acids and alkalis
- Weatherproof
- Good dirt and oil repellent properties
- Good electrical insulation properties
- Available in various colors
- Up to 500/500 g per side IMO certified
- Variants: Topcoat silicone and transfer silicone – ask our experts
ITX coating
- Intumescent (swelling/foaming) coating composition in a tailor-made polymer matrix.
- Possible expansion temperatures: approx. 150°C, 200°C, and 300°C - expansion rate depends on the filling degree of the mixture within the matrix.
- Non-flammable
- Insulating/expanding (increase in insulation area) when exposed to heat
- Prevents the spread of flames
- Prevents the passage of smoke and toxic gases
- Mixture of different expansion temperatures possible
- One-sided or two-sided alternative
PU coating - G1/G2, W1/W2
G1/G2, W1/W2
- Increased slip resistance and fraying resistance
- Optionally single-sided (G1, W1) or double-sided (G2, W2)
- G1 and W1 are IMO certified
- Variants: G1F/G2F, G1“S”
G1 Shipyard
- Softer polymer coating for filament fabrics
- Can be coated on one side
- IMO certified
General properties:
- Free of solvents and halogens
- With aluminum pigments (except W1/W2)
- No thermal decomposition of the coating up to 200°C
- Maximum application temperature depending on the substrate
Silverline coating
- Fireproof, highly reflective pigmented polymer coating
- Free of solvents and halogens
- No thermal decomposition up to 200°C
- Maximum application temperature depends on the carrier fabric
- Higher reflectivity due to particularly highly reflective aluminum pigments
- Very low PCS value and low emissions for PFP
Treatments for fabrics
Vermiculite
- Non-combustible, pure inorganic coating
- Temperature resistance of the pure coating up to approx. 1000°C
- Permanent temperature resistance (composite): up to approx. 750°C or up to 1000°C (on silica fabric)
- Good slip resistance and fraying resistance
- Minimization of smoke development
- Very high abrasion resistance
- Variants: AR also available as fabric coating
CS treatment
CS
- Flame-retardant surface
- Resistant to continuous temperatures of approx. 700°C
- Resistant to approx. 750°C for short periods
- Good slip resistance and fraying resistance
- Available in various colors
CS Shipyard
- Additionally: minimal dust accumulation
- IMO certified
CS mintgreen
- Softer surface than CS
HT75 / HT90 treatment
HT75
- Flame-retardant surface
- Resistant to continuous temperatures of approx. 700°C
- Resistant to approx. 750°C for short periods
- Good slip resistance and fray resistance
- Available in various colors
HT90
- Special white finish for short-term temperatures up to 900°C
- Permanent temperature resistance up to approx. 750°C
- Stiffens the fabric
- Resistant to metal splashes
Oleophobic treatment
- Special colorless top coat to improve oil resistance at room temperature for approximately three months (HKO internal method)
- Oil repellency/grade 8 guaranteed for non-tempered materials (according to AATCC 118)
- Temperature resistance up to 200°C/4h (long term) and 300°C/1h (short term)
- No change in the flammability of the material
- Resistant to organic acids in normal concentrations, hard water, commercial diesel fuel, and gasoline drops
- Slight color variations after exposure to temperature are possible
- IMO certified
HKO treatments for fabrics
Weld Guard Ocean Blue
- Temperature resistance up to 1000°C in burner test
- Specially developed for use in shipyards
- To improve the abrasion resistance, fraying, and thermal resistance of large welder's protective fabrics
- Improved resistance to metal splashes
- Improved resistance to flames
- IMO-certified versions available
G-Tec
- Gray special equipment with metal oxide
- Thermal resistance up to 700°C (long term) or briefly (approx. 8 hours) up to 750°C
- Excellent abrasion resistance
- Flame retardant
- Available in various colors
G-Tec Ultra:
- Stronger smoke inhibition through multi-stage chemical treatment
G-Tec Ultra “LE”:
- Improved smoke inhibition compared to G-Tec Ultra.
- Hardly noticeable color change at temperatures between 200°C and 400°C
Finished and processed yarns
The optional use of refined or processed yarns can, among other things, make a significant contribution to the increased insulation performance of the end product. Refining the yarns through texturing, twisting, or chemical treatment leads to better thermal performance or results in altered mechanical properties. All refining processes are part of the in-house process.
Twisted yarns
For altered mechanical and physical properties. Twisting two or more threads creates a more durable yarn with a larger diameter. Twisting the strands in the Z or S direction affects the tensile strength of the yarn and allows for the combination of different materials for hybridization.
