Ten Things You Need to Know About Epoxy Floor Coatings

Epoxy formulations have been an essential part of the building trade for half a century. Epoxy floor coatings, in particular, are widely-used in floor applications. Here are some things it’s possible you’ll or may not but know about one of the vital important coating materials in existence:

1. Epoxy resins are the secret behind high-performing epoxy coatings.

Epoxy resins are the core materials of quality formulations akin to epoxy-based mostly primers, top-coats, and sealants. These resins make it doable for epoxy floor coatings to perform well as floor finishes, protective coats, fire retardants, waterproofing and damage-resistance paints.

2. Epoxy coatings are applicable in lots of surface types.

Particular flooring applications want specific coating systems dictated primarily by the kind of fabric used for the substrate. Epoxy floor coatings are one of the few systems that may work in concrete, metal and practically all types of surfaces.

3. Epoxy resin molecules are cross-linked, therefore they’re almost impermeable.

The distinctive chemistry between bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin organochlorine/epoxide compounds creates a reaction that produces cross-linked epoxies when exposed to amines. The ensuing epoxy floor coatings are highly-immune to water, chemical or air intrusion — a critical ability in corrosion-prone metal or concrete surfaces.

4. Epoxies can mix with other supplies for increased performance.

Epoxy-amine systems, epoxy-sulfide systems, aliphatic epoxy systems, and hybrid epoxy systems are among the widespread coatings systems created in tandem with epoxy. With amine, shiny surface look, higher adhesion and fast curing times are achieved. Epoxy coatings systems additionally work well with alkyds and acrylics.

5. Epoxy floor coatings can protect heavy-duty floors.

Epoxy coatings are immune to many types of damages. No wonder that they’re usually utilized in areas which might be continuously uncovered to damage-inducing agents, reminiscent of in manufacturing plants, warehouse floors, heavy machinery garages and airplane hangars.

6. Epoxy coatings have impressive adhesive properties.

Epoxy-primarily based coatings have robust adhesive capabilities — 1.5 thousand pounds of adhesive power per inch sq. of flooring. This translates to floors that can remain intact and in good condition for longer periods of time and even under intense physical loads

7. Epoxy coatings are good fire-retardants.

Some epoxy floor coatings contain pigments that broaden quickly when exposed to intense heat. This enlargement forms a thick barrier protection that lasts long sufficient for the fire to be put out naturally or by a responding fire-fighting team.

8. Epoxy floor coatings are either water-borne, high-solids, or solvent-borne.

Water-borne epoxies are efficient in many surfaces, while high-strong formulations cover a wider application area and include lower VOC amounts. Solvent-borne epoxies are an older technology but are high in VOCs and emit a poisonous odor. The latter also requires more treatment time and longer submit-cleanup activities.

9. Epoxy floor coatings might contain health and environment hazards.

The bisphenol A compound in epoxy resins is currently under scrutiny as a potential health hazard, and solvent-primarily based coats contain high levels of VOCs harmful to the environment and to application workers.

10. Epoxy coatings have their share of vulnerabilities.

Epoxy floor coatings are very dependent on a consistent mix ratio to avoid problems throughout curing time. Applicators must observe producer’s recommendations to maintain consistency in texture and viscosity. The coatings are also unstable when uncovered to UV rays and to temperature adjustments in the course of the mixing, application and curing stages.

Epoxy floor coatings are high-performing and versatile because of the inherent chemical properties of epoxy. It remains to be probably the most sought-after coatings systems that meet any kind of coatings application requirements.

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