Enhancing Firefighting Buckets: Erez’s High-Performance TPU Solutions for Aerial Firefighting

With wildfires becoming increasingly common, such as the recent devastating fires in Los Angeles, the need for effective firefighting tools has never been more critical. Helicopter firefighting buckets, sometimes referred to as Bambi Buckets™ (a trademark of SEI), are pivotal in delivering water to hard-to-reach wildfires. The effectiveness of these buckets can be significantly enhanced with high-quality materials. Erez provides superior TPU fabrics that contribute to building better-performing and more reliable buckets, essential for modern firefighting needs.

The Importance of Helicopter Firefighting Buckets

These collapsible containers are used by helicopters to collect and drop water onto fires. Their design allows for rapid refilling and efficient water deployment, making them crucial in wildfire suppression strategies.

Erez’s Advanced Materials for Helicopter Firefighting Buckets

Erez is at the forefront of manufacturing these vital firefighting tools by providing advanced TPU materials that deliver:

• High Strength and Coating Adhesion: The strong bond between the coating and textile ensures the bucket remains intact during intense operations, vital for handling the flexing and movement during use.
  
• Flexibility and Durability: Our TPU materials are engineered to withstand constant movement and water pressure, providing the perfect balance of flexibility and strength.
  
• Abrasion Resistance: Designed to endure the harsh environments of firefighting, our materials offer superior abrasion resistance, protecting the buckets from wear and tear.
  
• Lightweight Yet Strong: While maintaining durability, our materials are lightweight, enhancing helicopter maneuverability and efficiency during missions.
  
• Bright Colors for Visibility: Typically available in bright orange or yellow, these colors ensure visibility during operations, aiding coordination between ground and aerial teams.
  

REZcoat™: The Ideal Material for Firefighting Buckets

REZcoat™ (TPU coated fabric) is a standout material in the Erez lineup, utilizing breakthrough polymer blending to create a uniquely strong thermoplastic polyurethane coating. This material is applied to high-quality polyester and nylon base fabrics, offering excellent resistance to extreme weather conditions, chemicals, abrasion, and punctures. With high UV stability and available in various fabric weights, REZcoat™ provides the perfect blend of durability and flexibility, making it an ideal choice for enhancing the performance of your helicopter firefighting buckets.

Types of Erez products that are suitable for firefighting buckets aplications:

TPU 2035
This typically refers to a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) formulation known for its balanced mechanical properties—good flexibility, strength, and chemical resistance. It’s often used in applications where durability and flexibility are required, such as coated technical fabrics for outdoor or industrial use. In the context of helicopter buckets, it would contribute to reliable performance under stress and water pressure.

TPU 2051 – Aliphatic Top Coat
This material includes an aliphatic polyurethane topcoat, which offers superior UV stability and enhanced abrasion resistance compared to aromatic TPU. It’s particularly useful in exposed outdoor applications like aerial firefighting, where sunlight, friction, and harsh environmental wear are constant challenges. It helps the helicopter bucket maintain color, flexibility, and integrity over time, even in extreme conditions.ing abrasion resistance

Enhancing Your Firefighting Buckets with Quality TPU Fabric

Erez’s superior TPU materials offer a significant upgrade for manufacturers aiming to produce more efficient and reliable helicopter firefighting buckets. Our commitment to quality and innovation ensures that our fabrics enhance the performance and durability of these essential firefighting tools, ultimately leading to better outcomes in wildfire suppression. Explore our advanced materials to discover how Erez can help you build the next generation of firefighting buckets.