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 safe use of products containing diisocyanates. The new laws led Sylmasta to formulate SylWrap LH – a specialist resin containing below 0.1% free diisocyanate which makes pipe repair safer, greener and more convenient.
Where clients require it, the entire range of SylWrap products can be manufactured with LH resin by Sylmasta at their industry-leading composite repair production facility in the United Kingdom.
This makes Sylmasta the only company in the world producing low free diisocyanate composite wraps. It is a direct benefit of Sylmasta’s heavy investment in bringing the technology to produce pipe repair bandages to the UK.
Legislation governing products containing diisocyanates
Sylmasta began working on SylWrap LH before EU and UK REACH legislation governing the use of products containing greater than 0.1% free diisocyanates came into force on August 24th 2023.
The legislation introduced laws stipulating such products can only be handled by an operator who has undergone extensive training in the safe use of diisocyanates. This has significantly impacted the ability of workforces to respond to emergency pipe repairs.
Previously, anybody could apply a pipe repair bandage as soon as leaks or bursts were identified. Since the change in regulations, bandages containing greater than 0.1% free diisocyanates can only be used by a person who has completed approved training.
The legislation covers every moisture-cured composite wrap on the market – except for SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage, SylWrap SC Super Conformable, SylWrap CR Corrosion Protection Wrap and SylShield Pipe Weld & Protection Wrap when manufactured with LH resin.
With diisocyanate content below 0.1%, no training is required to handle SylWrap products made with LH. The LH formulation makes SylWrap safer and better for the environment. It also 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. Instead, a leaking pipe can be sealed by any member of the workforce as soon as the problem is discovered.
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 and time-consuming. Depending on local and national requirements, it must also be repeated at regular intervals. 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 an instant repair. 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 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. Their airborne particles are easily absorbed by humans.
Users regularly exposed to diisocyanates risk developing breathing-related conditions. These include asthma, rhinitis and dyspnea. SylWrap LH resin reduces risk to operators and makes pipe repair safer by containing under 0.1% free diisocyanate content.
SylWrap LH requires no health and safety information on labels
The low free diisocyanate formulation is 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 the requirement for training before use on their labels.
LH has similar mechanical properties to the previous formulation
There is minimal difference between the mechanical properties of SylWrap’s standard resin 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 standard resin.
Switching to SylWrap LH
If you would like to learn more about low free diisocyanate pipe repair, please contact Sylmasta via email, phone +44 (0)1444 831 459 or fill out the below form.
SylWrap Case Studies
