Polyurea/Polyaspartic Coatings from Galaxy are Superior to Epoxy Coatings
Ever since the building of the very first concrete floor, mankind has actually looked for a method to safeguard and enhance the surface. Epoxy coatings have been around for some time and have been popular protectors of concrete floorings. Fairly new to the game, polyurea / polyaspartic coatings have quickly become the choice because of the fast dry time. Let's take a look at each of these and see how they compare to each other.
Polyaspartic Coatings
First presented in the 1990's, polyaspartic coatings stem from aliphatic polyisocyanate responding with polyaspartic ester, a diamine. The substance is known as an aliphatic polyurea, which is rather different from standard polyureas and in lots of ways superior. By customizing the relative quantity of the ester, scientists can craft a range of polyaspartic finishings with various attributes. For garage flooring applications, the ester is the primary element, resulting in low emissions and fast drying. When applied to grey concrete floors, polyaspartic flooring coatings produce a shiny, practically watery tone that customers can color. In some applications, ornamental chips are broadcast on the still-wet topcoat.
Benefits of Polyaspartic Coatings:
- Simpler application in a variety of weather and temperature level conditions
- 4 times Stronger than Epoxy Coatings
- Difficult, smooth finish that is stain- and scratch-resistant, good for high-traffic commercial and industrial locations
- Clear and non-sticky when dry
- Quick drying times, remedies to complete strength in 1/2 to 1 hour
- Colors and ornamental chips readily available
- Colorfast, even when used to somewhat damp concrete
- Low VOCs and odor
- Low viscosity offers it good wetting ability on concrete, but requires minimized portion of solids
- High, controllable movie build-up
- Less most likely to bubble from outgassing
Disadvantages of Polyaspartic Coatings:
- Fairly new item, expert application suggested
- Brief pot life requires usage of automatic application weapons
- Two to three times more expensive to acquire and apply
- Need to prevent high moisture vapor emission rate conditions when using
- May need to thin the very first coat for much better adhesion
- Very slippery when wet, so a leading aggregate such as chips suggested
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Epoxy Coatings
Epoxies are resin polymers made up of epoxide systems, which are cyclic three-atom ether rings consisting of an oxygen atom and two carbon side-groups. The triangular units are electronically strained and are for that reason rather reactive. Usually, epoxy resin is formed by responding bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin, however versions popular for concrete flooring applications include novolac and aliphatic epoxy resins. A common application includes an epoxy primer, a color skim coat and 2 layers of polyurethane.
Advantages of Epoxy Coatings:
- Somewhat less expensive
- Produces a hard surface
- You have many finish choices, including color and mix-ins
- Durable
- Resistant to chemicals
- Great adhesion-- will not lift
Downsides of Epoxy Coatings:
- Less versatile and less resistant to abrasion
- Can be rather hard to use in hot or cold conditions
- Has a long drying time
- Has possibly dangerous vapors, although brand-new formulations may resolve this
- May not be colorfast-- subject to fading or yellowing from UV direct exposure, though many solutions consist of UV protection
- Can not be applied when temperature below freezing
The choice is clear, Galaxy's Polyaspartic Coatings are far superior the Epoxy for your next floor coating need. Call Galaxy today or fill out an estimate request online today.