Advantages and disadvantages of common floor coatings

Reaction resin-based floor coatings offer longer service lifetimes than mineral floors, can be laid joint-free and are impact-, scratch- and shock-resistant. With their completely smooth surface, they can be kept clean even under difficult hygienic conditions. In addition, they are exceptionally resistant to a variety of chemicals and are extensively immune to high temperature fluctuations, such as can occur in food processing plants. The reaction resin-based liquid plastics in question are supplied and applied in the form of 1-, 2- or multi-component products. While 1-component products usually harden due to the humidity in the air, 2-component and multi-component products undergo a chemical reaction between the base resin and a hardener or catalyst in the liquid plastic. After a certain reaction time, the liquid plastic cures to provide a seamless sealant over wide areas. In general, it can be said that a PMMAbased liquid plastic reacts particularly quickly, epoxy resins are characterized by their high mechanical and chemical resistance, while polyurethanes (PU) exhibit elastic properties. Such products can therefore be used in a wide range of applications – from decorative and design flooring to extremely hard-wearing and chemical-resistant industrial floors. However, they all have one disadvantage in common: In the presence of moisture, the hardening process is invariably accompanied by disruptive side reactions.

Disruptive side reactions

When exposed to moisture and carbon dioxide, epoxy resins form solid white carbamate, while the catalyst of the PMMAs can disassociate and lose its effect. Within polyurethanes, the isocyanate component reacts with water to form CO2 , and this in turn can lead to undesired bubble formation within the coating (see diagram below). Hence the application of classic reactive resin coatings under conditions of high humidity (> 80% RH) is highly problematic. Since these conditions can arise in many regions of the world, planners, builders and applicators alike are frequently frustrated as coating work falls behind schedule.