New Ceilings Reached for Hyperlast

Hyperlast polyurethane is used for decorative relief work aboard two new luxury cruise liners

The flexibility of Hyperlast polyurethane and the precision with which detail is reproduced makes it ideal for producing seamless moulds in any shape - and at any hardness.

Take in the sumptuous surroundings of the first class dining rooms aboard the luxury cruise ships, MS Oosterdam and MS Zuiderdam of the Holland America Line, and you’ll be awed by the beautiful, floral ceiling decorations. Designed by renowned artist, Barbara Nanning, and commissioned by VFD Interiors of Utrecht, Barbara Nanning also supervised the production by Polarttech in Goirle, Holland.

Polarttech were chosen because of their many years of expertise in polyurethane. The ornate mouldings were a special and prestigious commission, which required a very careful choice of materials for both the mould and the finished moulding to create the extra-ordinary effect of an inverted field of flowers.

Arthur Brouwers of Polarttech says “The mould material was crucial since the project required, most importantly, to demonstrate in its finished glory the reproduction of the fine detail. Hyperlast polyurethanes are ideally sensitive and responsive to this need, and easy to work with – they are an obvious choice”.

The Hyperlast material is also rigid and offers low temperature curing. It is fire retardant, has a high heat distortion temperature and high modulus.

For designers, artists and those seeking to experiment with mould formations or create prototypes of any kind large or small, simple or complex for short or long production runs, the Hyperlast moulding range of polyurethanes provides a versatile and flexible easy-to-use system that reproduces exquisite detail and accurate dimensions owing to its low shrinkage.

The sheer scale of this particular project leaves no room for doubt as to the need for a dependable, right-first-time moulding material. Each ship required 588 separately moulded pieces to create fourteen flowers with an average weight to each section of four to six kilograms. The moulds were intricate and required a complex system of vent holes. To complete the mouldings for each vessel took 10 – 12 weeks, and the ships were built and fitted out in Italy. The project demonstrates another way in which Hyperlast material has influenced design and construction in yet another area of the world!

‘Hyperlast’ polymer moulds can be intricately designed to reproduce proud, recessed and textured profiles in the finest detail for decorative, cast stonework such as garden ornaments. They offer a long mould life and high impact resistance. ‘Hyperlast’ can also be combined with concretes to make protective cladding. In homes and offices, they can bring finishing design touches to furniture and interiors balancing style with practicality, attractiveness with protection.

Ref:1542 March 2004