Polyaspartic Floor Coverings
Polyaspartics are one of the better floor coating systems available today, because they are tough, relatively easy to apply and don’t yellow. It is a two-part formulation with excellent wetting and self-leveling properties, good adhesion and resistance to UV radiation. The product emits a low level of volatile organic compounds, is odor-free and dries to a smooth, high gloss.
Part A
Part A of the product is our old friend, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), which we’ve discussed in previous blogs. Recall that its chemical formula is C8H12N2O2. It is a straight-chained, or aliphatic, example of a diisocyanate. Part A is the co-reactant in Sanitile 985 PA, containing 70 percent by weight of the homopolymer of HDI.
Part B
The second part of Sanitile 985 PA contains proprietary polyaspartic ester, a derivative of aspartic acid (C8H12N2O2), a type of amine. The ester was first used with polyurethane coatings, but is now popular for polyaspartic coatings because of its extended potlife and controllable curing times.
The Mixture
When mixed together in equal amounts, the two parts form a polyaspartic coating, which, although technically an aliphatic polyurea, has unique properties such as controllable potlife (5 minutes to 2 hours) and fast curing times. It dries to a high-build film that resists corrosion and abrasion. The mixture has the following properties:
- 95 percent solids by volume, with a VOC level of 0.12 lbs./gallon
- 2,920 psi tensile strength
- 75 percent elongation
- 375 pli tear strength
- 45 rating for hardness
- good flexibility
- resistance to abrasion rated at 70 mg using a Taber abrasion CS17 wheel and 1 kilogram weight for 1,000 cycles
The two parts are power-mixed and can be thinned up to 2 ounces per gallon.
Application
The manufacturer recommends priming concrete floors with Carboguard 1340 WB, a waterborne two-part epoxy primer that can be applied to damp or dry concrete substrates. This is especially useful for protecting the topcoats from concrete dampness. The concrete should be cured at least 30 days at 75°F and 50 percent relative humidity (RH) before priming. You can test the concrete (see previous blog) to ensure it’s reached a level of 75 percent RH, and the slab should not suffer from rising damp or ground water pressure. The manufacturer recommends you surface the concrete to a profile resembling coarse sandpaper. Make sure the concrete is clean and, if necessary, patched. You apply the primer to a thickness of 1.5 to 2.0 mils at temperatures at least 5°F above the dew point. If conditions are too humid, the primer may lose gloss, bubble or blister.
After mixing Sanitile 985 PA parts A and B, expect a potlife of up to 45 minutes at 75°F. Application temperatures can range from 35°F to 100°F. Apply with a notched squeegee and then backroll with a shed-resistant 3/8-inch nap. Put down one or two coats of Sanitile 985 PA with a thickness of 10 to 15 mils each. The product comes in several factory colors:
- white
- light gray
- medium gray
- red
- blue
- cashew
- black
- clear
You can incorporate quartz or silica into the topcoat for decorative or non-slip surfaces. Fast curing means you can return the floor to foot traffic service within two to four hours.
Polyaspartic Floors installed by PennCoat.
PennCoat, Inc. has been providing industrial painting, commercial painting, epoxy flooring, and polished concrete services for nearly 30 years. Our experienced installers are trained and equipped with the proper knowledge and tools to ensure that every installation is installed efficiently and safely. PennCoat, Inc. provides service to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. And we cover York, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery, Baltimore, Harrisburg, Dauphin, Bucks, Berks, and other counties in the surrounding