Infrared systems from
Heraeus Noblelight are
being used at a vinyl flooring
production line at the
Maidstone factory of Tarkett.

The basic flooring
production line process
consists of building up
thicknesses of PVC paste on a
PVC backing layer, which
features a fibre glass internal
matting. The flooring is
imbued with non-slip
properties by introducing
silicon carbide and aluminium
oxide into the top surface layer.

Heat is then applied by use
of carbon infrared (CIR) and
medium wave emitters.

The backing layer is heated
as it exits from an
accumulator by means of
two, CIR edge-heating
modules, each containing 24,
1kW emitters, and a 27.5kW
module to heat the width of
the web. This heating
removes the moisture from
the carrier material to allow
good bonding for the
application of PVC paste and
to prevent bubbling.

A bank of IR emitters is
then located immediately
after the first paste
application station and this
provides surface drying
before volumetric heat is
applied by an oil-heated
roller. The PVC web then
passes to a second paste
application station, after
which it is heated by a third
IR system before passing to a
hot air oven and a UV system
for final cure.