Underground coal mines are turning to Brain Industries’ expertise in Fire Retardant Anti-Static (FRAS) polyurethane replacement parts to suit development, longwall and out-bye services machinery.
An equipment overhauls contractor recently installed our FRAS polyurethane components on a shuttle car for a NSW underground coal mine. Brain supplies individual components or complete replacement parts kits.
What is a shuttle car?
Shuttle cars transport cut material from a mine’s working face. They receive coal from the continuous miner and usually transport it for discharge onto a conveyor belt.
Why use FRAS polyurethane for shuttle car and other underground mine components?
Polyurethane is light-weight, and resistant to corrosion, oils, chemicals, abrasion, and impact. This makes it an excellent alternative to steel. Regulators of underground coal mines in NSW and Queensland require alternative, non-metal, material to be FRAS. The NSW Resources Regulator details requirements in its
Mine Design Guide No MDG3608 Non metallic materials (UG coal mines).
In October 2020, the NSW Resources Regulator issued a safety alert highlighting risks of underground mines using non-FRAS polyurethane, rubber, PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyester. These materials can accumulate and store an electrical charge with enough energy to ignite methane gas. This followed a September 2020 safety alert (No 381) from Resources Safety and Health Queensland.
The
NSW Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2014 requires underground mines’ ventilation system components and conveyor accessories to be FRAS (clause 87).
What other benefits does FRAS polyurethane provide mines?
Polyurethane’s durability extends the life of assets and reduces the time and cost of part replacements. So, it is cost effective, reduces equipment damage, and increases operational efficiency.
Why use Brain Industries polyurethane industrial products?
Our highly experienced technicians are experts in manufacturing FRAS polyurethane and polyurethane products. Brain is Australian owned and operated. It designs and manufactures in Australia.
We use purpose-built, production equipment and premium, high performance, prepolymers from an Australian supplier to ensure consistent, high-quality castings. Our in-house capability also means fast turn-around times to meet project deadlines. No project is too big or too small.
Brain provides regular customer service site visits, including underground inspections, at no direct charge. We can carry stock to support valued customers.
Need shuttle car components or other FRAS polyurethane industrial products?
If you’re in the mining sector – talk to us about how polyurethane can help improve safety and efficiency. We make a range of polyurethane and FRAS polyurethane mining components and
custom design solutions to solve mines’ problems.
We are also specialists in polyurethane
pulley lagging and
polyurethane products for other industries including agriculture, oil & gas, marine & shipping, transport, tunnelling, and waste management.
Call +61 2 4969 2111, email
admin@brainindustries.com.au or use our
contact form to discuss your needs. We’re ready to help.
