SylWrap LH: Low Hazard Pipe Repair Bandage Resin with Diisocyanate Level Below 0.1%
In August 2023, EU and UK REACH legislation came into force governing the use of products containing diisocyanate. In response, Sylmasta formulated a new resin containing below 0.1% free diisocyanate to make pipe repair safer, greener and more convenient – SylWrap LH.
Using their world-leading composite repair production facility at their site in the United Kingdom, Sylmasta can incorporate the new LH resin into any moisture cured wrap in the SylWrap range as per client requirements.
This makes Sylmasta the only company in the world currently manufacturing low free diisocyanate composite repair wraps – reflecting their heavy investment both in creating LH resin and bringing the technology to make custom-made bandages to the UK.
Legislation governing products containing diisocyanates
SylWrap LH was formulated and introduced in response to EU and UK REACH legislation governing the use of products containing greater than 0.1% free diisocyanates which came into force on August 24th 2023.
The legislation stipulates such products can only be handled by an operator who has undergone extensive training in the safe use of diisocyanates.
Previously, anybody could apply a pipe repair bandage. But since the legislation came into place, bandages containing greater than 0.1% free diisocyanates can only be handled by a trained operator. This has significantly impacted on the ability of workforces to respond to emergencies.
In contrast, SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage, SylWrap SC Super Conformable, SylWrap CR Corrosion Protection Wrap and SylShield Pipe Weld & Protection Wrap manufactured with LH resin fall outside the legislation.
No diisocyanate training is therefore required by any user before handling or application of those products. The LH formulation makes SylWrap safer, better for the environment, and maintains the ease and speed of repair which have made SylWrap a world-leader in pipe repair.
Faster repair with SylWrap LH resin
SylWrap LH resin enables repairs to take place much faster than when using moisture cured wraps covered by the 2023 regulations governing the safe use of diisocyanate.
There is no need to check records to see which contractors have up-to-date approval to work with diisocyanates; a leaking pipe can be sealed by any member of the workforce as soon as the problem is identified.
No diisocyanate training also removes the financial burden of getting a large workforce trained. Third party online courses cost between £5 and £10 per person.
Training is extensive, time-consuming and must be repeated at regular intervals depending on local and national requirements. It is generalised and covers all types of products containing diisocyanates, meaning large elements have no relevance for handling pipe repair bandages.
SylWrap LH is better for the environment
As already noted, response times are quicker for SylWrap products with LH resin because any user can make a repair as soon as a problem is identified. This makes it a better product for protecting natural resources and the environment.
The faster a leak is sealed, the less precious water is wasted. In the United Kingdom alone, nearly three billion litres of water were lost every day on the public supply network in 2021-22, according to the sector’s latest figures.
Analysis has shown that by 2040, 12 of the 17 regions in England and Wales face the prospect of not having enough water to cater for demand. In the USA, 40 of the 50 mainland States are expected to experience water shortages in the next decade.
Every minute that a pipe is left to leak because there is no operator trained in the safe use of diisocyanates is costly to the environment. SylWrap LH resin plays a small part in improving the preservation of a resource which the world depends upon.
SylWrap LH reduces risk to the operator
The REACH legislation has been introduced as part of efforts to drive diisocyanates out of products. Diisocyanates are highly toxic and if airborne, their particles are easily absorbed by humans.
Users regularly exposed to diisocyanates are at risk of developing breathing-related conditions including asthma, rhinitis and dyspnea. By containing under 0.1% free diisocyanate content, SylWrap LH resin reduces risk to operators and makes pipe repair safer.
SylWrap LH requires no health and safety information on labels
The low free diisocyanate formulation is now safe enough to not require any hazard symbols on its labelling. No symbols increase operator confidence in the safety of the product.
Suppliers providing moisture cured composite repair wraps with greater than 0.1% free diisocyanate are required under the new regulations to clearly display on their labels the requirement for training before use.
LH has similar mechanical properties to the previous formulation
There is minimal difference between the mechanical properties of the original resin used in SylWrap and the LH formulation.
LH maintains the same 2-5 minute work time and two-year shelf life from date of manufacture. It can be used in identical applications to the original formulation.
Where the formulations do differ is in temperature resistance; LH is only resistant to 120°C compared to the 250°C of the original resin.
Switching to SylWrap LH
Customers who would like to learn more about low free diisocyanate pipe repair are asked to please contact Sylmasta via email, phone +44 (0)1444 831 459 or fill out the below form.
SylWrap Case Studies
