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Summary: Epoxy may be defined as a thermosetting polymer that maintains unique material & resistance properties that are laid on top of concrete substrates as a form of decoration & protection. The system can contain different layers of thermosetting resin that are coated, troweled, or poured & spread into a concrete substrate. Once the floor system contains a strong & permanent bond working as a decorative & impervious barrier to cover the substrate. |
1. Mechanism of Epoxy Flooring
The epoxy resins are made from a reaction of bisphenol-A & epichlorohydrin, which may be conveyed in a solid or liquid state. It is needed to remedy the resin with a hardener to convert epoxy into an infusible, hard & rigid material.
Epoxy resins are fixed efficiently at temperatures 5-1500C. The curing of the epoxy resins transferred the epoxy resins into epoxy thermoset polymers, which hold distinct resistance, versatility, adhesion & durability.
2. Types of Epoxy Flooring
1. Epoxy mortar floor
It possesses 100% solid epoxies & quartz sand. Epoxy mortar floor is employed when high resistance against impact loads & chemicals is needed.
It is also employed to improve cracks before using another type of epoxy floor. This type of flooring is used in Commercial kitchens, restaurants, warehouses, garages, and manufacturing plants as flooring.
2. Self-leveling epoxy floor
It is applied over old, new, cracked, or damaged floors to make a smooth, durable & leveled texture on the floor’s surface. Self-leveling epoxy floor improves the aesthetic appearance of the floor.
3. Quartz-filled epoxy floor
It is a variety of stained quartz grains & high interpretation of epoxy polymer resin. It is employed for decorative spaces that require sanitary & slip-resistant possessions.
4. Epoxy flake floor
It has a vibrant gaze possessing colored flake materials incorporated into epoxy flooring. It also delivers the surface with grooves to reduce falls & slips.
This type of epoxy is obtainable in different colors, styles, sizes & textures, using which one can improve the aesthetic appearance of any floor.
3. Life of Epoxy Floor
The life of an epoxy floor relies upon usage, application process & application area.
For example;
(1) In the warehouse, the life span of epoxy flooring is around 4-5 years
(2) In a manufacturing company, the life span of epoxy flooring is around 3-4 years,
(3) In the home interior, the life span of epoxy flooring is around 5-7 years.
4. Process of Installation of Epoxy Flooring
The way of installing epoxy flooring are as follows:
a. The surface must be set to obtain a new coat of epoxy coating on its top.
b. Foreign materials like dust particles are terminated from the surface.
c. It is observed by grinding, shot blasting & scarifying to maintain a course surface for better bonding with the mother floor.
d. Patching & repairing all the significant cracks on the floor is vital in delivering durability to epoxy flooring.
e. The surface prime coat is involved in the floor. Ensure that the primer creates its way deep into the floor during priming.
f. After using the primer coat, the visible cracks & holes present on the floor are sealed with epoxy.
g. Further, they should be lightly ground, sanded & re-layered.
h. The sealant is tested employing more portion of the water used on the floor. If the water is not absorbed, then the floor may be used with an epoxy coating.
i. The epoxy harder is combined with an epoxy resin & spread over the floor surface in multiple layers in the final stage.
j. After application, the floor is fixed at the critical temperature.
k. The curing process is started only when the epoxy begins a reaction with another curing agent.
5. Advantages of Epoxy Floor
There are multiple advantages of epoxy flooring as compared to other types of flooring.
The following are the benefit of epoxy flooring:
a. The brightness of interior areas boosts.
b. It delivers a durable, hard surface that can resist heavy & continuous loads.
c. It is straightforward to establish & doesn’t need any unique tools or equipment.
d. It is excellent chemical resistance.
e. Epoxy floor protects the existing concrete layer from wear & tear.
f. It is easy to clean & more durable.
g. It helps in hiding cracks when combined with paints & additives.
h. It enhances the aesthetic appearance.
6. Disadvantages of Epoxy Flooring
The disadvantages of Epoxy Flooring are as follows:
a. One of the significant disadvantages of epoxy flooring is that it is only temporary.
b. Epoxy floors are fairly skidded-resistant but can also be very slippery when moist.
c. Many efforts go into getting floors ready for epoxy coating. The floor has to be cleaned & free from any oil or grease & cracks must be served.
d. Using epoxy coating is a time-consuming process. The first coat must be dry before using the second coat & the drying time can take many days.
e. Wet epoxy has too strong fumes. They expected to have an ammonia smell after use.
f. Epoxy flooring must be established exactly according to the directions. If not employed according to the direction, then it will not be durable.
g. Any moisture entrapped beneath the surface can be a problem as it evaporates.
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