Midland, MI - September 20, 2006
|
|
| King Ramses II |
To protect the statue from damage during it’s 10-hour journey to its new home near the Great Pyramids in Giza, the statue was wrapped in VORACOR, a tailor-made ridgid foam formulation suitable for spray and injection tecnologies developed by Dow Polyurethane Systems. VORACOR was selected because it met the specific flow properties, cell structure, compressive strength and density required for the safe transportation of the heavy statue.
"We were thrilled to be involved in helping to protect a historical treasure like King Ramses II that holds such great significance for the Egyptian culture and to the world,” said Juan Antonio Merino, general manager of Dow Polyurethane Systems. “While this application is quite unusual, it exemplifies our ability to develop polyurethanes systems that solve individual customer challenges no matter what they are or where they are located around the world."
Dow was first approached by the The Arab Contractors Co., the largest local contracting company in Egypt, to develop a polyurethane spray foam formulation that could protect the colossal antiquity on its journey by truck from Cairo to Giza. Based on the contractor’s specifications, Dow developed a VORACOR system that provided the exact flow properties required for the spray foam application and was capable of filling the cavities in the statue. In addition, the formulation met the project’s need for a polyurethane system with high compressive strength at the lowest density possible, without deformation. The final VORACOR system used to surround King Ramses II featured a closed cell foam structure and a compressive strength of 180 KPA at a density of 80Kg/m3.
"Working closely with Misalla – the company handling all the operations related to the protection of the statue by means of the polyurethane system - we were able to develop the exact polyurethane system needed to ensure the safest possible transport for the statue," said Sherif Badran, Technical & Sales representative, Dow Polyurethane Systems. “As you can see, the statue has arrived at its destination safely and so we can all rest easy now, especially the King.”
Approximately two tons of polyurethane foam was used to cover King Ramses II and the actual injection took about three days to complete. First, the statue’s surface was wrapped in a multi-layer of special cloth which was then covered by a layer of silicone that acted as a shock absorber. The foam was then injected on the silicone rubber layer at three levels -- the crown, the waist and the legs-- using a small-sized mobile injection machine that enabled easy access to the 36-foot (approximately 11 meters) high altitudes. A test run, using a replica of the statue surrounded by a steel structure weighing 65 tons, was conducted weeks before the statue’s planned departure from downtown Cairo.
Having arrived at his new home safe and sound, King Ramses II is ready for another 3,200 years of rule, this time in more serene and authentic surroundings, near the Great Pyramids of Egypt.
About Dow Polyurethane Systems
Dow Polyurethane Systems provides formulated polyurethane systems for the manufacture of flexible, rigid and microcellular foams, elastomers, adhesives, coatings or binders used in such applications as construction, automotive, footwear, sports equipment and furniture. Focused on meeting the specific needs of customers in their local region, Dow Polyurethanes Systems operates a global network of 18 systems houses with manufacturing units and 8 service centers, supported by three research and development centers. Dow Polyurethane Systems is focused on providing innovative, tailor-made solutions to customers world-wide. For more information, please visit www.dowpolyurethanes.com.
About The Dow Chemical Company
Dow is a diversified chemical company that harnesses the power of science and technology to improve living daily. The Company offers a broad range of innovative products and services to customers in more than 175 countries, helping them to provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. Built on a commitment to its principles of sustainability, Dow has annual sales of $46 billion and employs 42,000 people worldwide. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.
®™* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow
For Editorial Information:
Annalisa Gianantonio
Dow Polyurethane Systems
39 02 48224431
Anisha Shah
Gibbs & Soell, Inc.
(212) 697-2600, ext. 228
ashah@gibbs-soell.com
