Chemical Resistant Floor Coating

What Does Chemical Resistance Mean? 

Chemical resistant flooring has the strength of material necessary to protect against a chemical spill or solvent reaction.  Chemical resistance describes the extent a material can maintain its resistance to harsh chemicals.

A chemical resistance chart (shown below} may be used to see the relative resistance of materials.

As a value engineering manufacturer and installer of chemical resistant flooring, we can tailor a product to suit your specific floor surface requirements.

Chemical Resistant Flooring Protection

A material with high chemical resistance is far less susceptible to corrosion.  A typical material with a low chemical resistance generally results in swelling or softening of the flooring material, and the material loses serviceability.  There are several layers of protection chemical resistant flooring offers.

Temperature

Chemically resistant epoxy-coated concrete floors perform well under a range of temperatures, including extremely high and low temperatures. It’s important to understand how temperature fluctuations may affect floor material’s resistance to chemicals. Some materials may become more vulnerable to chemical attack at higher temperatures, while others may degrade in freezing conditions.

Concentration of Chemicals

Epoxy coated floors have the ability to withstand chemicals at varying concentrations, giving protection in real-world environments. Different concentrations of chemicals will have varying corrosive effects. Ensuring resistance across a spectrum of concentrations will help protect a floors’ integrity and longevity.

Exposure Duration

A chemical spill on a floor may not be readily apparent, and as such the duration of exposure to the chemicals may be high Chemically resistant epoxy-coated floors hold up well under various exposure durations, including instances of high exposure. Being prepared for short-term chemical spills, or prolonged contact with hazardous substances is critically important. Flooring that is not chemically resistant may withstand brief exposure but deteriorate when chemicals are left in contact for extended periods.

Chemical Type

Flooring needs to be resistant to a diverse range of chemicals commonly used in your industry. Chemical resistant epoxy floor coating offers superior strength against acids, bases, solvents, oils, and other types of corrosive substances.

pH Levels

Industrial and commercial flooring should have the ability to resist chemicals with varying pH levels, as some substances can be highly acidic or alkaline. The ability to protect against the affects of pH on a material’s integrity is crucial, as pH can greatly impact chemical reactivity.

Compatibility

Compatibility between a floor and the specific chemicals they may encounter on a day-to-day basis is paramount. Materials may react adversely with certain chemicals, leading to degradation, weakening, or even dangerous reactions.

Wear and Tear

Consider what impact mechanical loads, such as heavy equipment, light traffic, and foot traffic will have on chemically resistant floor coatings. Mechanical stress can exacerbate chemical damage, so it’s vital to have flooring that withstands real-world conditions.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Epoxy coating will withstand the cleaning processes and chemicals typically used for floor maintenance. It is vital to ensure the chemicals used in your cleaning products do not compromise your floor’s longevity.

Containment Coating Systems

Secondary containment coating systems are used to prevent chemical spills from spreading. Our floor coatings offer a perfect solution for industrial applications where a protective barrier is necessary. Secondary containment coating systems are essential and practical, especially when hazardous chemicals are handled within a facility. Secondary containment coatings can be applied over a facility floor.

Prime Polymers’ full line of chemical resistant flooring will prevent damage from exposure to corrosive chemicals. Additionally, our high performance chemical resistant flooring systems will help to ensure your facility, employees, visitors and equipment remain safe.