Vehicle Floors Sealed by Plastics Lining

23rd September 1960, Page 140

23rd September 1960

Page 140

Page 140, 23rd September 1960 — Vehicle Floors Sealed by Plastics Lining

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APLASTICS floor impregnated with fine aluminium-oxide dust is a special feature of a refrigerated food van and a drop-sided lorry used for carrying hides, the bodies of which have been completed by William Collett and Sons, Ltd., Northbrook Road, Eastern Avenue, Gloucester.

In both applications, the main advantage of the plastics material is that it seals the floor against the egress of fluid; seepage of moisture through the van floor would damage the insulating material, In the case of the lorry, sealing protects the running gear against attack by the corrosive effluent.

Mounted on a Commer normal-control 30-cwt. chassis, the van is employed by J. B. Williams, Ltd., wholesale distributors, of Gloucester, for the carriage of frozen foods. Mernbers of the company's transport department report very favourably on the flooring. In addition to providing an effective seal, the plastics lining has a valuable non-slip property.

Based on a 2-oz,. glass-fibre mat impregnated with polyester resin, the flooring material is further impregnated with the fine grit during the moulding process. If a rough surface is required, the material is sprinkled with granite dust before it is dry and the surplus is brushed, off after drying.

The material is bonded to the standard wood floor after the latter has been coated with an accelerator of the type used in the preparation of the moulding. This prevents the wood abstracting some of the accelerator from the moulding, which would impair curing. It is extremely important that the wood be dry before bonding is performed.

Overall cost of applying a floor of this type to an 18-ft. platform body is £56. In this ease the material is extended at the sides up to chock-rail level.

Interesting features of the refrigerated van include the use of two spring-loaded " vestibule" doors inside the body to reduce loss of cooling efficiency during entry by an operator. The doors are automatically closed behind the operatoi after entry or exit.

Expanded polystyrene with.a thickness of 4 in. is employed to insulate the sides, floor and roof and the front and rear panels of the van. Compressor-type refrigerating equipment is installed in the cab of the vehicle.