Acid and chemical-resistant floors are essential in healthcare, food processing, manufacturing environments and any places that use or store caustic or aggressive chemicals. These floors resist deterioration from these substances, saving facility owners time, money and the hassle of frequent repairs and replacements.
These floors are also highly durable and require very little maintenance. This helps reduce workplace hazards caused by slippery, deteriorated floor surfaces.
Cycloaliphatic Epoxies
Cycloaliphatic epoxy coatings are used in a variety of industrial and commercial applications due to their high chemical resistance, and can be tailored to specific enviroments. They are also known for their good weatherability and UV stability, and have low toxicity making them suitable for use in areas where environmental concerns are a priority. This makes them a good choice for flooring, coatings, and sealants that need to stand up to harsh environments, including marine, automotive, outdoor, and food applications.
Like other epoxy systems, cycloaliphatic (LY) epoxies are typically made up of two components that must be mixed together in exact proportions to create the final thermoset plastic. The standard epoxy resin is then paired with a cycloaliphatic curing agent or hardener to improve certain properties. Cycloaliphatic amines are a type of cycloaliphatic curing agent that offer a number of performance benefits over other types of epoxies, including excellent chemical resistance, improved water/moisture resistance, and increased flexibility.
The cycloaliphatic curing agents are available in several forms, and the most popular and versatile are methyl amines. These curing agents can be used in a wide range of temperatures, and are often combined with other additives to modify their performance. They are commonly found in epoxy resins and epoxy flooring systems, as well as adhesives and sealants.
Amine cure systems have a market share of over 40%, and provide a broad range of performance attributes. They can offer high Heat Distortion Temperatures, excellent chemical and thermal resistance, and good tensile strength. In addition, they are easy to use and offer good color stability.
Cycloaliphatic amines also have good corrosion resistance to acids and alkalis, but less so in the case of phenolic chemicals. The phenolic group on the epoxy molecules is sensitive to acid and alkaline solutions, which can hydrolyze the ester bonds in the cycloaliphatic system. This can result in an increase in acid and alkaline resistance, but not to a large degree.
To compare the performance of a LY epoxy system to a standard epoxy floor coating, a series of tests was performed using ASTD D1308. These tests include immersion testing in various chemicals, surface roughness, static contact angle, scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results of the tests show that a LY system offers nearly identical chemical resistance to a standard epoxy system, with slightly reduced acid resistance.
Cyclohexyl Epoxies
Cyclohexyl epoxy is a type of 100% solids chemical resistant coating that’s typically used in industrial settings. It’s formulated to withstand a wide range of chemicals, including acids. It’s also resistant to high temperatures. This makes it ideal for use in a variety of applications, from warehouses to pharmaceutical factories.
Many manufacturers choose to install chemical-resistant floors because they protect the concrete substrates in their facilities from corrosive chemicals and acids that can damage or destroy them quickly. These types of attacks can create dangerous working environments and lead to costly shutdowns and lost revenue for businesses.
These floor systems are designed to protect concrete surfaces from chemical attack by forming a seamless, durable surface that’s easy to clean and sanitize. The flooring’s dense, seamless finish eliminates joints and crevices where dirt or bacteria can hide. It’s also steam-cleanable, which is perfect for a food preparation or manufacturing environment.
Chemically-resistant epoxy coatings can be applied on a variety of surfaces, including concrete, steel, vinyl, and fiberglass. They can be installed as a stand-alone floor, or over other materials such as terrazzo, carpeting, and tiles. When properly installed and cured, these coatings can last for decades.
In addition to their protective power, these floors are aesthetically pleasing. They’re available in a variety of attractive colors, including metallic options. In addition, they can be stained and sealed to further enhance their aesthetics.
A chemically-resistant epoxy coating can be used for a variety of applications in commercial or residential settings. It’s easy to apply, and it doesn’t give off harmful fumes during application or curing. This makes it an excellent choice for homeowners who want to upgrade their garages, workshops, basements, or other indoor areas of their home.
For the best protection, it’s important to choose a chemical-resistant epoxy that can withstand a variety of chemical compounds at varying concentrations. This will provide the greatest level of protection in real-world conditions, where different chemicals will have varying corrosive effects. ArmorGarage’s Acid & Chemical Resistant Novolac Epoxy is one such option, and it provides superior corrosion protection against hundreds of chemicals and acids compared to standard solids based or water based epoxy floor coatings.
Cyclocarbonyl Epoxies
This class of epoxy is a good choice when you want to protect surfaces and structures from chemical attacks. Like other epoxies, it is a thermoset plastic that requires precise mixing of two components to become fully functional. Its chemistry includes rings that give it some extra rigidity that helps it resist chemicals and higher temperatures.
It’s often used in the automotive industry for paint primers or as a coating on metals to prevent corrosion. It’s also popular as an adhesive or as a coating on concrete floors and structures. Because it is durable, chemical resistant, and can withstand high heat, it’s also a reliable choice for protecting piping and other industrial equipment.
These epoxies are known for their exceptional chemical resistance to acids, caustics, solvents, salts, and aromatic and aliphatic solvents. It has an extremely low coefficient of expansion and contraction, making it great for use in applications where thermal shock or vibration is a concern. This type of epoxy is generally cured with amines and may contain toxic substances like formaldehyde and phenol, so it must be used by trained professionals only in appropriate environments.
A specialized form of epoxy that’s typically made with an epoxy resin and hardener mixed together in a ratio determined by the desired properties. This method of application allows you to create a custom epoxy product that can be applied in thick coats or at a low viscosity for delicate jobs. The resulting material has the same chemical and temperature resistance as other epoxies, but it’s also more flexible, allowing it to adhere better to smooth surfaces than traditional epoxy resins.
This type of epoxy is ideal for lining pipes that will be exposed to chlorine and other chemicals. It’s used to line corroded steel products or as a replacement for traditional fiberglass piping, which can be less durable than an epoxy lining. These linings are also easy to clean and provide a barrier against bacteria and other microbes that could contaminate potable water or cause contamination in the environment. Durcon Epoxy worksurfaces are tested to the highest standards for their durability and resistance to harsh chemicals, heat, fire, staining, and pitting.
Polyurethane Epoxies
A polyurethane coating is the icing on the cake when it comes to chemical-resistant flooring. Polyurethanes provide excellent impact and thermal shock resistance while also adding a level of flexibility that epoxies cannot match. Unlike epoxy, PU floors are highly flexible and can expand and contract with temperature changes without cracking. These properties make them ideal for areas prone to moisture and humidity like aircraft hangars, steel surfaces, and warehouses.
Additionally, a polyurethane floor will typically last twice as long as an epoxy floor, making it the more cost-effective choice. However, it is important to keep in mind that polyurethane coatings are more delicate and require a more careful installation process. During the installation process, the concrete must be tested for moisture and cleaned using denatured alcohol to prevent adhesion issues. In addition, a moisture barrier primer must be used in areas prone to moisture and humidity to prevent premature failure of the flooring.
Regardless, the benefits of a polyurethane floor far outweigh its initial cost, and they are often the preferred option in areas that see heavy equipment use, harsh chemicals, or both. Ultimately, it is best to speak with a professional and discuss your intended uses for the floor to determine which material is the right fit for you.
With its wide range of color and design options, an epoxy floor can be a unique way to convey your interior design scheme. They are perfect for retail spaces that want to emphasize their brand identity or create a specific aesthetic, and they offer an excellent level of protection against heavy impacts, scratches, and stains. Epoxy floors withstand commercial cleaning products much better than urethanes, making them the better choice for food and beverage production facilities, pharmaceutical and medical labs, and customer-facing processing zones. Additionally, they hold up well to corrosion, inorganic alkalis, organic alkalis, and several acids, making them a good choice for aircraft hangars and steel surfaces. They are also resistant to lactic acid, a popular choice for dairy farms. In fact, they are the only product that can hold up to airplane hangars’ “skydrol”, a special fluid that contains lactic acid.