Advantages and applications of epoxy floors in an industrial installation
Flooring is an important part of interior design. In a factory installation where floors are subject to a lot of wear and tear, choosing the correct flooring is crucial as it is part of the initial investment and is often spread over a large area. One of the most commonly used flooring options for this niche is epoxy flooring. This choice revolves around the fact that epoxy flooring is very durable, requires minimal maintenance, and is environmentally friendly. Therefore, it is the recommended flooring option for both residential and industrial buildings. Epoxy floor coatings are generally applied over concrete floors to provide better bonding results and aesthetically pleasing surfaces.
The term epoxy refers to a catalyzed form of plastic. It is basically a resin and is typically a compound of bisphenol-A and a polyamine. Epoxy resin was invented in the 1930s by a Swiss scientist, Dr. Pierre Castam. Polyamines are generally used to harden the surface or the floor. A catalytic reaction occurs when resin and hardener come into contact with each other. They bond together and create a high strength chemical crosslink. This binding technology is the reason epoxy resins can be coated in a short period of time.
There are three main types of floor epoxy. They are 100% solid epoxy, solvent based and water based epoxy. Of these three, 100% solid epoxy is the best choice as it offers the best performance. Water- and solvent-based epoxies are considered easy to use, but these types of epoxies are not as durable and cannot be applied as a thick coat like 100% solids. Solid epoxies competently meet all the stringent requirements that must be met when designing an industrial floor. Offers strong adhesion, excellent chemical resistance and toughness. In addition, epoxy floors in general are resistant to abrasion, waterproof, heat resistant and resistant to the action of corrosives such as acids and alkalis. They are non-toxic when dry and therefore can be used safely even in residential projects and children’s play areas.
The practical application on a floor surface follows the following steps. The compounds are mixed in a suitable proportion and applied to the floor to a minimum depth of 2 mm. Typically, an epoxy floor requires at least seven coats to finally create a shiny, finished surface. It includes a base coat, one or two coats of epoxy, a broadcast coat of colored sand or flakes, and a top coat.
The main advantage of epoxy floors is ease of maintenance. Concrete floors need adequate protection and an epoxy floor is the best option to offer protection against abrasion, chemical attack, and thermal shock, which are commonly experienced in an industrial facility. With the advent of technology, more innovations are expected and it is only a matter of time before epoxy flooring solutions find wide application in the residential segment as well.