Properties of Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy flooring, which is applied on the floor to a depth of at least two millimeters, is a thin layer of moisture and heat insulation. This type of antibacterial and chemical resistant flooring is very efficient and robust. This flooring has a better price, more comprehensive application, and more strength than other flooring types. This flooring system also gives a bright and shiny look to the interior in terms of appearance. This type of flooring is washable due to its moisture and chemical insulation. It, therefore, makes the cleaning of the environment more comfortable and faster. Besides, the broader range of different colors of epoxy flooring increases the power of consumer choice.
This type of floor can be implemented and applied on all surfaces, mostly concrete surfaces. Still, they cannot be applied to asphalt. If the desired surface has high elevations, it is recommended to cover the substructure with a butterfly trowel or mosaic concrete before applying epoxy flooring. Of course, it should be noted that in these conditions, the mosaic is always more economical.
Execution of Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy flooring consists of different layers of epoxy. Among the operational differences in epoxy flooring, we can mention the epoxy depth for different uses and levels. As mentioned above, epoxy flooring should be at least two millimeters thick. If the epoxy flooring is less than two millimeters thick, it is better to know it as an epoxy coating.
Applications of Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy has a wide range of applications. Its application includes epoxy paint materials, epoxy flooring, granite epoxy, FRP, and adhesives. This type of flooring is applicable for all types of hospital surfaces, sports halls, residential environments, industrial factories, production and industrial units in the field of pharmacy, oil, gas and petrochemical, water and wastewater industries, detergent industry, warehousing, automotive industry, computer parts production and IT, Rail Transportation Industries, chemical and paint factories, Hospitals and Healthcare centers, Gyms, Parking lots, Food Production, Cosmetic Industries, Packing Industries, Water Purifiers and Refineries, Instrumentation Rooms and used in the steel industry.
Epoxy flooring is used in the underground parking; due to poor ventilation, the traditional solvent inside the solvent requires a long time to evaporate, causing harm to the body and the environment. It is used for a place that does not require solvent contamination, has higher environmental requirements. Epoxy floor coating is used to purify the walls and ceiling of the workshop; it has the properties of high cohesive strength of epoxy coatings, high strength, without powder cleaning, and has environmental properties free of harmful substances. It is used for painting the floor, wall or cell in bakery and confectionery, electronics factory, pharmaceutical factory, paper factory, logistics warehouse, basement, etc. can also be used for school, square, corridor, shopping malls, and lines, and so on.
Types of Epoxy Flooring
According to the needs in each field of consumption and activity and concerning the environment around the place of execution, flood epoxy is made and executed differently. There are about 12 types of epoxy flooring. Some of the most critical cases are mentioned below.
Industrial Epoxy Flooring
The critical point about epoxy flooring applications is that it is a sound flooring system for industrial environments with high traffic and for spaces where heavy machinery and equipment are used. Industrial epoxy flooring can be applied more than usual, with a thickness of three millimeters, due to the machines’ amount of load and friction.
Antistatic Epoxy Flooring
This type of flooring prevents the accumulation of static electricity on the surface and has conductive properties. Antistatic epoxy flooring is commonly used in server rooms and operating rooms that are sensitive to static electricity.
Antibacterial Epoxy Flooring
This flooring absorbs the least number of bacteria, which in some cases, is made of silver nanoparticles to be able to kill germs. This flooring is commonly used in hospitals and health places.
Epoxy Parking Flooring
It is a floor with very high mechanical strength that has an outstanding and dazzling beauty. This type of floor is very suitable for parking lots of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Also, it can be used on concrete, mosaic, stone, etc. to achieve high performance and make the surfaces more attractive.
Chemically Resistant Epoxy Coating
In general, many people have a limited understanding of chemical resistant coating.
Chemically resistant epoxy floor coating may mean a painting system solely to protect the surface from chemicals or as a decorative coating that can retain its properties against varying chemical degrees.
Dry air single component coating does not provide adequate protection against chemicals.
Exceptionally, the polyurethane component can react with air humidity and is therefore considered a two-component system.
Two-Component Systems in Chemically Resistant Coating
Resins used in chemically resistant flooring usually include epoxy, polyurethane, methacrylate, and vinyl ester resins. It includes different groups of resins combined by crosslinking or connecting molecules strands to form their own structure. The type and density of crosslinking within a group determine part of the group’s hardness and chemical resistance. However, epoxy resins have different properties, which also affect chemical resistance.
Now it is better to know the factors affecting the performance of the chemically resistant epoxy coating and which system has the best performance?
The ability of a chemically resistant epoxy coating to protect against corrosive environments depends on several factors, including:
- Environment type
- The concentration of a chemical in the environment
- Temperature
- Contact rate (cross-sectional contact, full or partial immersion)
- Duration of exposure to a corrosive environment
The resin used in chemically resistant flooring can be completely resistant to a concentrated chemical at low temperatures. However, if exposed to higher temperatures and even lower concentrations of similar chemicals, the floor may be damaged. Therefore, when choosing a chemically resistant coating, all conditions must be considered. In general, the types of resins that are discussed below provide resistance to various chemicals.
Epoxy Resins
Epoxy resins are used to produce water-resistant floor covers that are resistant to organic and alkaline acids, fats, oils, available fuels, lubricants, salt, and sugar solutions. Of course, it should be noted that epoxy resins are sensitive to higher temperatures. Epoxy resin-based flooring is divided into different categories with various properties.
- Coating with high-performance solvent-free epoxy resin with excellent chemical resistance. Very suitable for use in industry and food industry
- Airplane hangar flooring that has excellent resistance to hydraulic fluids and oils
- Solvent-free epoxy resin coating for drinking water storage facilities, which is also very resistant to chemicals, is glossy and easy to clean.
- The solvent-based epoxy system, with high chemical resistance to protect concrete and steel in immersion conditions.
- Novolac epoxy systems resistant to chemical corrosion and abrasion in sewage equipment, wastewater, marine environments, and tunnels.
Polyurethane Resins
Polyurethane resins make durable coatings that are resistant to organic and alkaline acids, fuel and hydraulic oils, and aromatic and aliphatic solvents. They are also more resistant to high temperatures than coatings based on epoxy resins.
These coatings are divided into different categories with various properties.
- Hard, quality, and flexible polyurethane coating has the highest chemical resistance: It has good resistance to abrasion and heavy traffic. This system is resistant to high temperatures up to 150 degrees Celsius.
- Polyurethane flooring is a quality two-piece, durable, and resistant to chemicals. It can also be used in direct sunlight and humid environments. This coating is solvent-free and has 100% volumetric reliable, resistant to hot water, and steam clean.
Vinyl Ester Resins
Vinyl esters are resistant to a wide range of chemicals, including acidic and alkaline materials. Therefore, they are very suitable for coating surfaces that require very high corrosion resistance. The vinyl ester can be used to cover concrete steel or concrete floors.
The properties of vinyl ester resins include the properties of resins and epoxy resins.
Usually, the corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and tensile strength of these coatings are higher than polyester and epoxy. For this reason, coating with vinyl ester resin is usually used when durability, thermal stability, and very high chemical resistance are required.
What’s New?
Now you know everything about applications of epoxy flooring.
Have you made your decision?
Although epoxy flooring can be an excellent choice for any location, it’s a good idea to consult a specialist before deciding whether to use it.
Sometimes a brief consultation can prepare you for the final decision.
We in “Ultimate Epoxy Flooring” have been specializing in epoxy flooring in Sydney for many years. We have been advising the people of Sydney on this flooring for many years. You can also benefit from our advice and expertise; contact us. We are ready to help you.
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