UltraTie with DCOI railroad ties, a major innovation in American infrastructure is here!
UltraTieTM with DCOI was developed by Viance, LLC, the leader in environmentally advanced wood protection.
UltraTie, like its cousin, UltraPole® NXT, provides long-term efficacy with low environmental impact. Treated with DCOI, both are the first major innovations in America’s infrastructure in decades.
UltraTie mixed hardwood ties are currently being evaluated by Shortlines and Class 1 railroads.
UltraTie with DCOI
American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) Standards for Railway Ties
UltraTie is preserved with DCOI, which is currently standardized in the AWPA Book of Standards for:
- Mixed hardwoods
- Oak and hickory
- Coastal Douglas-fir, Western Hemlock and Western Larch
- Southern and Ponderosa pine
UltraTie contains the only oil-borne preservative whose active ingredient, DCOI, is also found in residential applications.
Environmental Impact Compared to Available Alternatives
Compared to other materials such as galvanized steel, fiber reinforced composite or concrete, UltraTie uses less total energy, less fossil fuels and less water to manufacture while producing less acid rain, less greenhouse gases, less eutrophication, with lower eco-toxicity. DCOI is not a persistent organic pollutant.
Benefits for Railroad Companies
DCOI treated ties:
- Are low odor and effective
- Have low electrical resistance
- Low corrosion to hardware
- DCOI is very soluble in hydrocarbon solvents (carrier oils), so DCOI treaters have a broader array of solvent choices for tie production.
Benefits for Wood Tie Manufacturers
DCOI works in wood preserving facilities using similar:
- Equipment
- Treating cycles
- Inspection equipment
- Laboratory QC instrumentation
DCOI FAQs
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What is DCOI?
DCOI (4,5-Dichloro-2n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one) is the active ingredient used in UltraTie. It is a highly effective, non-metal-based wood preservative designed to protect against decay and wood-destroying insects.
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How effective is DCOI as a wood preservative?
DCOI has been shown to be extremely effective. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) sponsored extensive testing conducted by Mississippi State University (MSU), a recognized leader in wood preservative research. MSU compiled 28 years of field data demonstrating DCOI’s long-term performance against wood decay.
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How does DCOI impact the environment?
DCOI is designed with sustainability in mind. Compared to other tie treatments, it:
Uses less energy, fossil fuel, and water to produce.
Features lower ecotoxicity than alternative materials.
Earned the EPA’s Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for its role as a safer alternative to older, harsher compounds.
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Will the preservative leach into the soil?
DCOI is highly stable and leach-resistant. Because it has a high soil absorption coefficient and very low water solubility (less than 5ppm), it has a very low probability of migrating into the surrounding soil environment.
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What does DCOI protect against?
DCOI is a powerful fungicide and bactericide. It provides robust protection against:
Wood decay fungi
Termites
Microbial growth
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Where else is DCOI commonly used?
DCOI is a versatile ingredient used in a wide range of industrial and consumer products, including:
Infrastructure: UltraPole NXT utility poles and crossarms.
Residential: Ecolife® residential wood preservatives.
Industrial: Cooling towers, brewery pasteurizing systems, and drywall.
Consumer Goods: Marine coatings, shower curtains, pool liners, and in-can paint formulations.
UltraTie Fact Sheet
