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» Versatile
Tunnel cladding can be customized to the needs of any job. Any shape, color, perforated, different backing options and inclusive emergency signage. Secure vitreous enamel doors and emergency fire cabinets can be included.
» Fireproof
Vitreous enameled steel is totally incombustible, will neither ignite nor burn and will withstand continuous temperatures of up to +400°C. Architectural VE panels will, depending on the design and the nature of the backing materials, provide fire ratings of a min. of two hours. Higher fire ratings can be achieved. No staining from smoke and even direct contact with open flames. No toxic fumes released.
» Appearance
No peeling, cracking or loss in gloss level vitreous enamel panels maintain the appearance of the tunnel for the lifetime of the panel which is normally a warranty of 50 years. Non stick and easy to clean. Depending on choice of panel and fixing design no additional flashing or cover strips are needed. Wide range of color options or printing if desired.
» Emergency Signage
Labels and diagrams can be silkscreened with a VE paste and fired onto panels providing incombustible high quality VE signage. Options for cut outs for emergency lighting also available.
» Low Maintenance Cost
Vitreous enamel has high lubricity, is non stick, non static and non porous. These qualities make it hard for dust and grime to cling to panels and very easy to clean off. No long term yellowing from tunnel born chemicals and debris. Retains reflective qualities.
» High Sound Absorption
The standard combination of 1.6mm tray or2mm sheet VE tunnel cladding with 12mm calcium silicate or gypsum backing offers excellent sound absorption properties. Vitreous enamel tunnel cladding also offers the option to customize shapes (curves, , backing option, perforation options and fixing options according to the clients needs.
» High Impact Resistance
The physical strength of the steel, coating and panel backing enable vitreous enameled panels to withstand deformation and damage due to impact. Panels are quick to install and easily replaced.
» High Abrasion Resistance
A combination of very high lubricity and extreme surface hardness gives vitreous enamel unusually high abrasive resistance when compared to other cladding surfaces. On the Moh Hardness Scale : Diamond =10, Aluminium or Sheet Steel=3, Fibre Cement Board Painted = 2.5 Vitreous Enamel = 5.5 to 6). This makes VE an ideal durable finish for use in buildings or areas that are used by to large numbers of people and where machine cleaning can damage gloss levels such as in tunnels. Use a metal key and try to scratch a vitreous enamel coating then do it to any other cladding coating and you will see that there is a significant difference
» Excellent Homogenous lighting
Vitreous enamel retains a high gloss, reflective finish for life. No peeling, cracking or yellowing. This ensures excellent homogenous and safe lighting in the low light tunnel environment, for life.
» Environmental Safety
The production of VE panels is an ecologically friendly process that does not involve harmful substances.  The panels are made from non toxic materials including glass, steel and calcium silicate.  All materials are not harmful to the environment and are recyclable. The VE coating increases the lifespan of the original steel many times thereby reducing waste and the number of times the steel needs to be reprocessed.  VE Panels release no toxic fumes in the event of a fire.
» Non Stick, Easy Clean
Non static, does not collect dust or allergens. High lubricity, non stick and non porous make it very easy to clean with a mild soap solution.
» Quick Installation, Easy Replacement
Various fixing systems are available and can be customized to suit each project. Typical heavy gauge (flat or curved) “tray type” panels can be fixed using a simple “hook on” fixing system requiring no drilling and very basic tools for installation or panel replacement.
» High Salt Air & Chemical Resistance
Vitreous enamel is highly resistant to corrosion from salt air. Also highly resistant to corrosion from both acids and alkalis. VE panels are therefore suited to tunnel, underground and seaside port environments.
» FULL LIST OF VE QUALITIES
» click here for full list
Tough. Durable. Versatile.
The performance characteristics of vitreous enamel result in a material that will not rust, is resistant to chemical attack, abrasion and fire as well as being more durable than any other architectural cladding material. In addition its versatility enables custom designs of all shapes and dimensions, the use of graphics and logos as well as a virtually unlimited colour range.

Durability
Vitreous enameled steel panels are extremely durable and need very little maintenance and cleaning. They will retain their original colour throughout the normal expected life of a building. Exposure to extreme weather conditions and coastal environments does not affect their performance or appearance.

Chemical Resistance
Vitreous enameled steel is resistant to all organic solvents and has excellent resistance to atmospheric pollution, corrosion and degradation by the great majority of chemicals. It will not rust and is 100% water resistant.

Abrasion Resistance
Vitreous enameled steel is extremely abrasion resistant withstanding cleaning and most abrasive materials without affecting the coating. It will meet scratch resistance to Moh Scale 6.

Fire Proof
Vitreous enameled steel is totally incombustible, will neither ignite nor burn and will withstand continuous temperatures of up to +400°C. Architectural VE panels will, depending on the design and the nature of the backing materials, provide fire ratings of a min. of two hours. Higher fire ratings can be achieved.

Graffiti Resistance
Vitreous enamel panels have a non porous and solvent resistant surface making them ideal for use in public areas where unwanted graffiti, markers and sprayed paints can be easily removed.

NO FADING - UV Light Resistance
Vitreous enameled steel is completely resistant to ultra violet light and the original colours and surface finish will not deteriorate under continuous exposure to sunlight.

Impact Resistance
The physical strength of the steel, coating and panel backing enable vitreous enameled panels to withstand deformation and damage due to impact, chipping and surface damage. This is provided they have been correctly designed, manufactured and installed.

Thermal Shock Resistance
Vitreous enameled steel will withstand rapid cooling by water spray from +400°C to normal room temperatures over a 30 second period.

Safety
The resistance of vitreous enameled steel to impact and distortion under extreme temperatures provide further significant safety advantages in applications such as tunnels and claddings in public areas.

Colour Range
The range of colours for vitreous enamel is virtually unlimited. Existing colours can be matched which makes it ideal for refurbishment or replacement panel. If a hard sample cannot be supplied for matching we can reference the RAL Design or Pantone color ranges.

Appearance
Vitreous enameled steel is sterile, germ free, odorless and easy to clean. Combined with its other characteristics and a smooth colour fast surface, vitreous enameled panels provide unmatched visual appearance.

Hygienic
Non porous finish that doesn’t absorb bacteria and or allergens. Non stick, high gloss surface is very easy to clean. High resistance to cleaning chemicals and high abrasive resistance withstanding very intense regular cleaning with no loss in performance qualities.

Custom Designs
Vitreous enameled panels can be made in various shapes, sizes and configurations. Contact our Technical Advisory Service for further information.

Signage & Graphics
Logos, names and selected graphics can be fired onto the panels – these will have the same characteristics mentioned above and will maintain their appearance throughout their life.

Secure
VE Doors create lockable compartments for services, utilities, cleaning or tool storage as part of the cladding layout.

Sustainability
VE Coating increases the lifespan of the original steel many times over reducing the need to produce replacements. Both the VE steel and the vitreous enamel coating can be recycled and re-used to make VE panels again.

Economical
VE has a lifespan at least 4 times that of most other cladding products. It is the most durable and longest lasting surface coating. It is also non fading and has the highest abrasive resistance making it not only cheaper but looking better over its lifespan.

For any queries or more information please contact us at info@ceratec.com.hk

» click here for test reports
ITEM TEST STANDARD DESCRIPTION TEST RESULT
1 BS 476: Part 4: 1970 Non Combustibility Test Classification: Non Combustible
2 BS 476: Part 6: 1989 Fire Propagation Test Fire Propagation Index I = 0; Subindices i1, i2, i3 = 0
3 BS 476: Part 7: 1997 Surface Spread of Flame Test Classification: Class 1
4 BS 1344 Part 1 Resistance to Thermal Shock of Coating Satisfactory
5 BS 1344: Part 2; ISO 2722:1973 Resistance to Citric Acid at room temperature Class AA
6 BS 1344 Part 3 Resistance to Sulphuric Acid Class AA (white panels)
7 BS 1344:1968: Part 4 Resistance to Abrasion Rate of mass loss = 0.00963 g/min
8 BS 1344: Part 5: 1984 Resistance to Hot Detergent Solutions used for Washing Textiles Test Satisfactory
9 BS 1344: Part 6: 1988 Resistance to Alkali Satisfactory
10 BS 1344 Part 7: 1984 Resistance to Heat No cracking, flaking or blistering or other surface damage
11 BS 1344: Part 8: 1984; ISO 2742:1983 Resistance to Boiling Citric Acid Rate of mass loss = 15.1g/m2 for 2.5 hrs testing time
12 BS 1344: Part 9: 1987 Resistance to Boiling Water Satisfactory
13 BS 1344: Part 10: 1987 Resistance to Condensing Hydrochloric Acid Vapour Test Satisfactory
14 BS 1344: Part 17: 1975; ISO 2745: 1998 Resistance to Hot Sodium Hydroxide Solution Test Satisfactory
15 BS 1344: Part 21: 1993 Resistance to Impact Pistol Test Some powdering, but no spalling or chipping
16 ASTM B117 - 97 Salt Spray Test for 1000 hours No discernible change
17 ASTM E350-95 and Laboratory In house Method Carbon, Manganese, Phosphorous and Sulphur Content of VE Steel Carbon < 0.01%; Manganese: 0.24%; Phosphorous: 0.009%; Sulphur: 0.008%
18 BS 4360:1986 Tensile Strength Test of Weldable Structural Steel Grade 43A Complies
19 BS 1449: Part1: 1983 Tensile Strength Test of Low Carbon Steel Plate Complies with Grade CR4 of BS1449
20   Moh's Hardness Scale Result = 6
21 BS EN 10209:1996 Determination of Adherence Level of Enamel Adherence Level 1
22 BS 3900:D5:1997; BS EN ISO 2813:2000 Specular Gloss (60 degrees) Mean 95%
23 ASTM C 423 - 02 Sound Absorption Complies
 
Highest Performance and Lowest Maintenance Cost
Vitreous enamel panels are perfectly suited to the low light tunnel environment. For safety in the event of fires and for homogeneous light and a long lasting high gloss finish VE panels are accepted worldwide as the best cladding product for tunnels. A high quality VE finish outlasts any other surface coating used in the tunnel environment with no loss in performance. This makes vitreous enamel safer in the long term and more economical by creating savings in lighting, electricity and maintenance costs.
 
VE Heavy Gauge “Tray Type” panel design: CERATEC: Eagles Nest Tunnel: Design, Supply & Install, Hong Kong, 2008
 
Curved Sheet panel design
with cover strip
VE Fire Hose Reel Cabinets
with VE Signage
VE Cross Tunnel Door Exits
with VE Signage
 
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