IFS PureFlex FBE is a flexible, corrosion resistant, quick-cure, single coat, thermosetting powder coating designed to offer the very best in protection to rebar.

Drawing from years of formulation experience, the IFS Research and Development team have created PureFlex FBE, a Fusion Bonded Epoxy that is extremely reactive and cures quickly to form a uniform, consistent film that provides incredible levels of protection to rebar products and is economical and easy to apply for coaters.

Tested to meet and exceed ASTM 775 and ASTM 1078 as well as AASHTO M284 and AASHTO M254, IFS PureFlex FBE offers the world class corrosion protection, excellent flexibility and adhesion properties required to extend the service life of steel reinforcement bars, dowel bars and relation accessories such as couplers and supports.

IFS PureFlex FBE also benefits from the unparalleled service that comes a standard with IFS Coatings. As well as a dedicated customer service team, quick turnaround times and the ability to provide customized solutions to your application problems, the IFS PureFlex FBE also benefits from detailed Quality Control to reduce ‘holidays or pin holing.

Fusion bonded epoxy has been in use for over 40 years. Epoxy-coated steel reinforcing bars (rebar) may be used in any concrete subjected to corrosive conditions, including those exposed to deicing salts or marine waters. As a result, fusion bonded epoxy coated rebar is used in a huge range of construction applications and provides specifiers, engineers, architects, fabricators and end-users confidence in the construction of pavements, marine and parking structures and bridges. In fact, well over 80,000 bridges have used epoxy coated rebar.

Commonly known as FBE, Fusion Bonded Epoxy is applied to steel and creates a strong, flexible, protective and consistent film. The steel is heated through induction heating and the powder is applied. The part is so hot that the powder gels and cures within 30 seconds. As it cures, as chemical crosslinking process occurs creating a protective thermosetting film. The part is then put into water to quickly cool it.

IFS PureFlex FBE has been designed to offer the concrete construction industry the very best in strength, flexibility and supreme corrosion protection.

IFS PureFlex FBE provides:

• Excellent corrosion resistance
• Excellent flexibility
• Excellent adhesion
• Excellent flow for film consistency
• Excellent chemical resistance
• Excellent durability
• Fast curing for easy application

IFS PureFlex FBE is tested to strict ASTM and AASHTO standards. Carefully formulated to produce corrosion protective qualities, chemical and physical durability, and chloride permeability, IFS PureFlex FBE meets and exceeds the following industry standards:

• ASTM 775/A775M (rebar specification)
• ASTM 1078, type 1 (dowel bar specification)
• AASHTO M284 (rebar)
• AASHTO M254 (dowel bar)

To meet these specs and ensure first class performance,  PureFlex FBE has been put through the following tests to ensure it meets the strict performance requirements including corrosion protective qualities, chemical and physical durability that the industry requires:

Chemical Resistance

Industry recognized rebar specifications require the G20 test to be completed. Coated rebar specimens, including those without holidays, and specimens with intentional drilled holes, are immersed in various liquid solutions for a specific time at a specific temperature. The coated rebar must not blister, soften, lose bond or develop holidays.

Cathodic Disbondment

ASTM 775/775M requires the G8 test to be performed on various coated rebar sections with a performance  showing an average coating disbondment radius of 3 rebar pieces shall not exceed 4mm.

Salt Spray

The ASTM B117 test is performed to specific requirements and the average coating disbondment radius of 9 test sites on 3 coated steel bars should not exceed 3mm.

Chloride Permeability

With testing completed in line with the stated test methods, the accumulative concentration of chloride ions permeating through the film shall be less than 1 x 10^-4 M.

Coating Flexibility

Coating flexibility is demonstrated through the mandrel bend test completed to the required specifications. Performance should indicate no cracking of the coating on the outside radius of the bars.

Relative Bond Strength

Test method A944 is used to determine that the mean bond strength of coated bars should not be less than 85% of the mean bond strength of uncoated bars.

Abrasion

The D4060 taber abrasion test is performed and results should indicate a weight loss of no more than 100mg.

Impact Test

The G14 falling weight test is completed with a performance requirement of no shattering, cracking or bond loss except at the actual impact area.

 

 

 

At IFS Coatings our mission is to deliver unparalleled service and product to the industry while providing the environmentally responsible choice. The IFS PureFlex FBE product was been developed by an extremely knowledgeable team of R&D formulators with years of chemical formulation experience, and also comes with a dedicated, experienced and professional support team.

Choose IFS PureFlex FBE and you will benefit from:

• Experienced and professional technical and application support
• Quick turnaround times
• A customer driven support team who will partner with you to create the best rebar solution for your needs
• Competitive pricing

 

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IFS PureFlex FBE has won DOT approval from the following states:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Michigan
• Missouri
• Minnesota
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Nevada
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

This list is continually being updated with more approvals, so please check regularly for updates!