Polyurea Polyaspartic: Alternative Option To Epoxy

By Author: Wolad Toz
Total Articles: 3
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There are many sealers available in the market today, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, but a relatively new one that is gaining a foothold are the polyaspartics.Compared to epoxies, polyaspartics have almost three times the abrasion resistance of epoxies, more flexible, have better adhesion properties and UV stable.

Polyaspartic is a kind of polyurea (actually a polyaspartic aliphatic polyurea). Polyurea was commercially developed in the 1980s by Texaco Chemical Company (now Huntsman Chemical). It has been successfully used for corrosion-resistant coatings and repair materials, although application is awkward since it has an extremely short working time or useable life - about 3 seconds.

All polyureas are two-part systems because a resin has to be mixed with a catalyst to create the curing reaction that hardens the material. In trying to resolve the issue of the short pot life the two parts must be mixed at the spray tip, requiring a great deal of maintenance on expensive high-pressure equipment.

With the development of polyureas to polyaspartic polyurea (or simply polyaspartics), these difficulties ...
... were surmounted while still retaining the following characteristics and advantages:

=>Potlife of 5 to 120 minutes

=>Fast curing (from 5 to 120 minutes, depending on the formulation)

=>Can be safely and effectively applied at surface temperatures from -30°F to 140°F

=>Very low viscosity—equivalent to water—providing exceptional wetting ability on a properly prepared concrete floor
High film build (up to 18 mils in a single coat)

=>Bubble-free surfaces even at high humidity, the higher humidity the quicker the cure time

=>UV stable meaning it will never turn yellow and providing UV protection to underlying coatings at the same time

=>Made with a high solids content (as high as 100%), which means low or no volatile organics (VOCs) during application

=>The cured coating can handle temperatures up to 350°F

=>Crystal clear and does not produce haze or foggy effect from moisture in the concrete

=>Stain resistant, especially from oils and fats and even from red wine

=>Higher abrasion resistance than epoxy or urethane

=>And, still being studied is its resistance to internal moisture vapor emission rates than some other non-breathing coatings
Given these qualities, polyaspartics are ideal for:

=>Garage floors

This is one of the first major decorative use of polyaspartics. The biggest selling point may be the speed in the application. A polyaspartic garage floor can be completed start to finish in about 5 hours while an epoxy floor typically takes 5 days. Some companies have come out with polyaspartic garage floors that are embedded with vinyl flecks or quartz sand beads, similar to epoxy floors. It would be wise though to consult with professional installers before deciding on this because depending on the condition of the concrete—especially if the floor has high moisture vapor emission rates, polyaspartics may not be the best material for all situations,

=>Commercial floors

Polyaspartics resistance to stains and heavy abrasion—as much as 3 times the abrasion resistance of epoxy, makes it ideal for kitchens, restrooms, and other commercial applications

=>Countertops sealers

Because cured coating can handle temperatures up to 350° F, polyaspartics, high resistant to stains, even to acidic materials like lemon juice and red wine is fast becoming the countertop sealer of choice. On the other hand, some installers remain a bit cautious because the use of polyaspartics is still relatively new, though it does show some potential.

Whether you like the polyurea polyaspartic or epoxy floor coatings both are functional applications and are lower maintenance then carpet and or hardwood flooring.

This is one of the first major decorative concrete austin use of polyaspartics. For more informations please visit our concrete resurfacing austin website.