By Lifetime Epoxy Flooring Expert Guest Author: Edward Winslow 

Generally, most people are accidentally hurt from falling on a slippery surface. In fact, these types of injuries are so common that many think they are unavoidable. Some may think that these accidents are simply part of the cost for doing business; others believe clumsy people are the primary cause.

More thought is given towards why these accidents happen than to actually preventing them in the first place. While slip and fall injuries are very common in public places and private homes, these injuries are actually easy to isolate and avoid. Every day, billions of people take thousands of steps without becoming a victim. Simple changes such as adding non slip flooring products can reduce the number of accidents that occur often.

Basically, slip and fall accidents are largely the result of an abnormal environment, whether it is a wet or cluttered surface. Under normal circumstances, dry and clean surfaces provide the necessary amount of friction for people to walk without slipping or skidding. Cleaning up an area is not difficult; applying anti slip floor treatments is even simpler.

The primary goal of slip resistant products is to reduce the risk level of accidents and injuries from a person falling onto a slippery surface. Smart businesses will apply these products to high traffic areas. Otherwise, they can expect to continue paying for personal injury settlements and lost employee productivity.

There are several considerations for selecting non slip flooring whether it is for the home or a business setting. Matching the product with the environment in which the floor is used is essential. For example, areas that see heavy foot traffic should receive a durable slip resistant treatment.

Another consideration is the types of contaminants that will affect the surface and create a hazard. Areas prone to grease and oil spills should be treated with a product that is strong enough to create a barrier without damaging the surface. Planning with the worst case scenario in mind can help to make sure potential risks are minimized if not completely eliminated.

The nature of the floor is also important to determine which non slip product works best. Products made for outside ramps or warehouses may not work the same on a dimly lit hallway in the home. Further, some areas may not require a complete coating application. Safeguards such as tread tapes can produce a slip-free surface on old and new floors.

Anti slip floor coatings are a cost-effective solution for residential and commercial settings. These coatings create instant safety zones without compromising the appearance of a house or business. Options are available for areas that are frequented by customers and need to look aesthetically appealing. These coatings can also prevent chips or peels that may occur from regular use or environmental elements.

Injuries from slip and fall accidents are easily avoidable with the right planning and products. When performance is essential, having a durable product that is easy to clean will help to save money on injuries and regular maintenance. High-quality products made to prevent these common accidents will last year after year with only periodic re-applications.
​
Securing the workplace, home and retail establishments removes the dangers associated with slippery surfaces. For more information regarding non slip flooring in your workplace visit the website www.metrocrete.com/.Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Edward_Winslow/169240Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7723524

By Michael Chower 

Epoxy resin's excellent electrical insulation and adhesive properties of various materials, as well as the flexibility to other thermosetting plastics, are not available. So it made paint, composite materials, casting materials, adhesives, molding materials and injection molding materials, which have been widely applied in all areas of the national economy.

First, paint
Epoxy resin accounts for a large proportion in coatings, which are in common:

1, excellent chemical resistance, particularly alkali.
2, the film adhesion, especially for metal.
3, good heat resistance and electrical insulation.
4, good paint and color retention.

However, bisphenol A epoxy resin coating and poor weather are easy to powder coating and not suitable for outdoor use. Therefore it is mainly used for anti-corrosion epoxy coating paint, metal primer and varnish, but the heterocyclic and alicyclic epoxy resin coating can be made outdoors.

Second, adhesive

A variety of metal materials such as aluminum, steel, iron, copper;non-metallic materials such as glass, wood, concrete, etc; thermosetting plastics such as phenolic, amino, unsaturated polyester all have excellent adhesive properties. Structural adhesive epoxy adhesive is an important species.

Third, electrical and electronic materials

As epoxy resin has many unique advantages like high insulation performance, high structural strength and sealing performance. It has widely applied and developed rapidly in high and low voltage electrical appliances, electrical and electronic components and packaging of insulation. Mainly used for:

1, Electrical appliances, electrical insulation package, casting parts. Such as solenoid, contactor coils, transformers, dry type transformer high-voltage electrical insulation package, the whole sealed parts. In the electrical industry it has developed rapidly. It has been developed from the pressure casting and vacuum casting to the automatic pressure gel.
2, It is widely used in electronic components and circuit encapsulation device, which has become an important and indispensable insulating material in electronics industry.
3, Electronic grade epoxy molding compounds are used for semiconductors in recent years. Because of its superior performance, much trends to replace the traditional metal, ceramic and glass packaging.
4, Epoxy laminated plastic has a wide range in the electronic and electrical field. Particularly epoxy laminate with rapid development has become one of the basic materials of electronic industry.
In addition, the epoxy insulating coatings, adhesives and electrical insulation adhesive also have a large number of applications.

Fourth, engineering plastics and composites

Epoxy molding engineering plastics mainly include epoxy molding compounds and epoxy laminated plastic and epoxy foam plastics for high-pressure molding. Epoxy composite materials mainly include epoxy FRP(universal composite materials)and epoxy composite, such as epoxy pultrusion profiles, filament winding of the hollow rotary system products and high-performance composite materials. Epoxy composite material is an important structural and functional materials in chemical, aviation, aerospace, military and other high-tech areas.

Fifth, civil engineering materials

They are primarily used in preservative floors, epoxy mortar and concrete products, tops of the roads and airport runways, rapid repairing materials, reinforcement of foundation grouting materials, construction adhesives and coatings.
In the chemical water treatment systems, for various reasons, anion-cation exchange resin has been polluted, especially the pollution of calcium, iron and organic, resulting in the drop of polluted resin. As the structure of the resin is not destroyed, it can be treated appropriately to restore the exchange performance. At the same time analyse the process of the use of resin contamination and take reasonable measures to prevent.
​
Sixth, resin crafts [http://www.china-resin-craft.com/]Because of these advantages of resin, in real life, it is also widely used in the life around us, such as resin gifts, resin toys, resin jewelry, resin photo frame and so on.And resin will be closer to our lives.Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Michael_Chower/601625Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4039750

By Lifetime Epoxy Expert Guest Author: Kishore Kumar Gupta 

In the paint and coating industry, it is important to determine various properties of paints that attribute to life and its quality. There are many different qualities of paints that are needed for better performance of the product. These properties include adhesion, crack resistance, etc. To determine the exact value of these properties, there are different tests that are carried out on paint samples to ensure best quality of end products.

Scrape Adhesion test

This test is used to measure the adhesive strength of any organic coating when it is applied to a smooth and flat surface. The material which is tested is applied with uniform coating so that the force applied is distributed uniformly all over the surface for accurate measurements. Once the adhesive coating is applied completely, the coating is pressed with a round stylus. The stylus is loaded with weights that are changed continuously unless the coating is removed from the surface. This determines the maximum load under which the coating can stay on a particular substrate surface.

Pull-Off Test

The pull-off test is used for determining the minimum required tensile stress that is required to detach a coating from a substrate surface. In this test, tensile stress is maximized hence the results obtained from this test are not comparable with the results from other tests. In this test, the load is placed in the perpendicular direction from the coating surface and the force is applied and is increased gradually until a visible piece of coating is removed from the surface.

Cross hatch method

The cross hatch method is used for determining the resistive strength of paints to separate from the applied surface. In this test method, a cross hatch tester is used to cut a right angle pattern which penetrates the coating all the way to the surface.
This method is used to perform a quick pass/fail test. There are two different ways of performing the test according to the specifications set by ASTM.

Method A

In this method, an X-cut is made on the substrate with the help of a carbide tool. The tape is smoothened and then is removed by pulling it off over itself to an angle of 1800. The adhesion is rated between 0 and 5.

Method B

In this method, a cross hatch is made on the coating and then a pressure sensitive tape is placed over the area where the cross hatch is made. The tape is then removed slowly to an angle of 1800. The adhesive strength of this test is also measured on a scale of 0 to five.

Kishore Kumar Gupta is a well known author, who has written on various topic related with cross hatch tester. For more info visit- http://www.prestogroup.com/
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kishore_Kumar_Gupta/1430000

​By Lifetime Epoxy Industrial Floors Expert Guest Author: Harvey Chichester 

Floor Color Coding in Industrial plants is a vital step toward creating a safe and understandable work environment for workers of all nationalities.

​Language is no problem when color-coded floor markings make the job as simple as matching colors. Mistakes are all too easy to make and even easier when language problems compound them. Now that we know how to get colored epoxy floor coatings down to stay, why not take advantage of them? Color coding pallet positions to correspond to color-coded conveyor belts is one way. Items coming off the yellow conveyor go to pallets on the yellow markings.

Blue conveyor items go to blue conveyor pallet locations. Or, red spaces can be assigned for fire equipment and hose outlets, blue markings for water lines, and white markings for electrical panels and outlets. For traffic lanes, why not a yellow path rather than small taped lines? Following the yellow brick road worked for Dorothy and it can work for the rest of us.

During application of a second or third layer of floor coating, use blue tape to mark out the floor pattern. Next choose from dozens of colors to help keep things on track and improve moral. A personally customized floor is easily created by combining a choice of colors, colored chips, and even glitter options.

Other looks available include granite, tile, and slate. Logos, stripes, and "yellow brick roads" are sometimes added to the floors of printing facilities, manufacturing plants, restaurants, "collector cars" garages, basements, and even food processing plants. The finish can be gloss, flat, or satin. Additionally, the floors may be skid-resistant, like emery paper, yet still easy to sweep or squeegee.

Epoxy flooring goes on at the job site and requires no seams. With no breaks in the surface, the floor coating becomes a continuous membrane that seals what is above from what is below. Mold, mildew, and other contaminants cannot penetrate the epoxy membrane and wash off easily.

One leading floor coating manufacturer, Durall Industrial Flooring of Minneapolis, Minnesota, also makes over 20 specialty epoxy colors. Their special preparations of cleaners produce an application system that assures optimum flooring adhesion and wear results. Durall experts help customize their flooring kits at no cost to the customer, always including complete procedures for installing and maintaining a quality epoxy or urethane floor coating. To address those unexpected questions and problems, Durall also provides a complimentary 24/7 help line during the project.

For photos of a recent installation creating a color-coded floor, see:

http://www.concrete-floor-coatings.com
For more information, contact Harvey Chichester at harvey@concrete-floor-coatings.com
Phone: 1-800-466-8910 or 952-888-1488 (24/7)
###
Harvey Chichester is a principal of Durall Industrial Flooring, a company with more than 40 years experience in developing special flow-coatings for industrial and residential floors. Automotive and shopping centers, breweries, food processing plants, manufacturing plants, airplane hangars, car washes, kennels, warehouses, printing plants, residential basements, pool decks, and condominiums are among some of the facilities that he has installed floors in.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Harvey_Chichester/23839
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/173910

By Lifetime Epoxy Expert Guest Author: John S Primus 

It's important for North Alabama factories and other manufacturing related facilities to provide for industrial floor coatings. Floor coatings provide surface stability, environmental cleanliness as well as aesthetics. Safety is also an important factor in the need to have industrial floor coatings. Alabama Companies that provide for industrial floor coatings reduce the risk of accidents due to excess or lack of traction however after several decades, the environmental safety of using these coatings are now in question.

Industrial floor coatings provide a stable, non-broken surface (given the substrate is also hole or crack- free) for staff and products to move on. The coating also serves to protect the substrate from the wear and tear of wheel and foot traffic. Also, the smoother the surface, the faster people and products move. Coatings also provide a sense of order and cleanliness. Brighter coatings also add to the ambient lighting of the workplace. Safety comes into play because industrial floor coatings made from polyurethane or like materials provide sufficient traction to avoid accidents as against ordinary rough concrete/soil floors or overly smooth concrete/tiled flooring. Aside from commercial uses, industrial coatings are also best for gymnasiums and facilities for indoor sports.

However, the use of conventional polyurethane coatings is not without its own hazards. The material, polyurethane, that we've used for decades for industrial floor coatings is not safe in itself. The manufacture of polyurethane, a prime ingredient for industrial coatings involves the use of toxic chemicals known as isocyanates. Normally and preferably, isocyanates lose their toxicity after bonding with the other chemicals that form the polyurethane. They become inert. However, recent studies have shown that not all of the applied isocyanates completely bond with the other ingredients leaving behind what is known as post-reactive isocyanates. These post-reactive isocyanates are present in the fumes the coating generates during application on floors and other surfaces of a building.

Application personnel that lack sufficient protective equipment become susceptible to these fumes. Employees are exposed to these chemicals in minute amounts during their day-to-day interactions with the workplace and the facility's products can become tainted as well. These chemicals also leech into the environment when the coating is disposed for replacement. The effects of isocyanates of the human body include asthma, vomiting, as well as chest and throat irritation. Exposure to large amounts is fatal.

Such dangers then contradict the premise of safety on the use of polyurethane coatings. The risk was not known until recently but floor coatings have remained essential in the industry. Fortunately, new advances in technology has given rise to the manufacture of a non-toxic polyurethane alternative known as green polyurethane. Non-toxic or green polyurethane does not make use of chemically-bonded isocyanates but instead binds its ingredients at the 'nano' or atomic level. The ingredients lock together or intertwine to form an impermeable substance with the same properties as polyurethane.
​
Modern manufacturing techniques, also ensure that excess toxic chemicals are filtered out from the finished product. Thus choosing green polyurethane over conventional polyurethane renders the premise of safety of using industrial floor coatings complete. As green polyurethane continues to grow in popularity, floor coatings as well as other materials that use polyurethane become safer and the industries that use them can breathe safely.
John Primus is an industrial chemist from Southern California who advocates avoiding toxic industrial floor coatings for non-toxic green solutions like Green Polyurethane. John is a consultant for Hybrid Coating Technologies a Northern California high tech coatings company. Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/John_S_Primus/1272751Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8781101

By Lifetime Epoxy Industrial Expert Guest Author: Lydia Quinn

Thanks to its variety of uses and longstanding reliability, industrial epoxy is a popular choice among Alabama Automotive Manufacturers. Alabama Automotive Manufacturers know that Industrial epoxy is both long-lasting and extremely durable. Its chemical makeup accounts for its ability to form firm bonds, allowing for even the toughest of materials to be joined together. Because of this capability, industrial epoxy is heavily relied upon in the automotive manufacturing world. 

Thanks to its variety of uses and longstanding reliability, industrial epoxy is a popular choice among manufacturers. This heavy-duty polymer can be used on almost anything, ranging from concrete floors to water tanks, expensive industrial equipment and much more. Due to the substance's naturally occurring properties, 

Most manufacturers use expensive equipment that is frequently exposed to corrosive substances, including water, alkali bases and harmful chemicals. In order to safeguard this equipment from further deterioration, companies rely on various types of industrial epoxy as a solution to these problems. Not only is this substance capable of repairing damaged industrial equipment, but its protective polymer coating provides long-lasting prevention against corrosion.

Industrial epoxy is also used as a reliable method for both repairing and maintaining concrete floors often found in warehouses, manufacturing centers and industrial plants. Given their constant exposure to heavy industrial traffic, these concrete floors become spalled and worn over time, which eventually leads to the development of holes and cracks throughout the concrete flooring. Manufacturers use industrial epoxy to repair damages, while simultaneously resurfacing the floors with a resilient protective coating. This industrial epoxy coating is capable of withstanding tough impacts, harsh abrasions and heavy traffic, along with offering resistance to strong chemicals, solvents, cleaners, corrosives and acids.

Water and waste management equipment, including pipes, water tanks, wet wells and basins, can easily erode due to their constant contact with elements such as salt water, mineral acids, alkalis and sewage. To repair current damage while preventing future deterioration, manufacturers apply an anti-corrosive coating to all water and waste management equipment. Not only will it repair any preexisting corrosion, but it will provide long-lasting protection against future damage, despite being faced with high temperatures, harsh chemicals and abrasive materials.

Overall, the development and use of them by manufacturers has proven to be a great success. In addition to the range of things for which it can be used, it also offers protection for your important assets while saving money in the long run. With the variety of industrial epoxies currently available on the market, manufacturers can be sure to find the right product to fit their company's needs. Their ability to repair damage while withstanding dangerous substances and extreme conditions, makes it an invaluable commodity for manufacturers across the world. Industrial Epoxy: Construction Systems Supply. For more information, visit www.csscorp.net Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lydia_Quinn/29438 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6959583

By Lifetime Epoxy Floors Expert Guest Author: Akis Apostolopoulos

The following article answers a frequently asked question: "Can Epoxy Coatings be applied over an existing tile floor?" The article is from the website: http://www.Learncoatings.com and the author is Akis Apostolopoulos. ​

One of the most common questions I get asked is if we can apply an epoxy floor over tiles. People want to avoid the hassle of ripping out the tiles, and ask if there is a quick solution to just put the epoxy over the tiles.

My answer is yes it is possible, but it is not so simple! There are significant factors that need to be considered

Bonding – Tile surfaces are usually covered with a glazing coat. Epoxy may not stick properly to this coat. Therefore you should always sand and grind the surface, until you get a rough scratched surface. Also I recommend applying a low viscosity epoxy primer that will penetrate the tile surface.

Filling the joints – If you try coating over the tiles directly, the joints will be visible. This means the joints need filling. One option is to grout the joints individually, but this can be quite a tedious task, and the results won’t be perfect. An easier and more effective method is to apply a filler coat on top of the surface. I strongly recommend that this filler coat is also epoxy based.

I have seen people apply an intermediate cementitious layer, only to see it break six months later. Avoid making a sandwiched surface of layers of different materials.
The best solution is

• Grind the tiles
• Low Viscosity epoxy primer
• Epoxy Filler Coat
• Self leveling epoxy floor coating on top

If you think this solution is expensive, the cost of repairing a failed surface is much higher.
And one final point: If the tiles are broken or are causing leaks downstairs, applying epoxy on top will not magically fix the problem. You need to address all underlying structural issues first before applying the new floor.

​Akis Apostolopoulos
General Manager at Ktisis
Akis has been involved in the manufacturing and application of industrial floor coatings for the past ten years. He runs learncoatings which is an online resource training professionals on the use of epoxy floors. He is also General Manager of Ktisis, a manufacturer of flooring and waterproofing coatings.
​Source of Article: 
​The primary purpose of Learncoatings is to educate contractors and applicators on the proper use of epoxies and other resin floors. Furthermore we offer online epoxy training through educational videos that can be easily viewed and downloaded. For an introduction to our online training click here
I am also involved in a company that manufactures Epoxy and Polyurethane Floor Coatings as well as waterproofing products. The company name is Ktisis and we are based in Athens, Greece. We have a network of distributors and contractors in several countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. If you are interested in learning more about the company you can visit the website here
Feel free to connect with me on Linkedin or reach out to me at akis@learncoatings.com

By Lifetime Epoxy Floors Expert Guest Author:  Robert E Long  

There are various products available in the Alabama and Southeast marketplace, as well as numerous installation contractors. An experienced, knowledgeable, professional contractor, who can provide a turn-key installation, should be your starting point. Lifetime Epoxy Floors is just such a contractor. The 10 year old company located in Boaz, Alabama, specializes in jobs yup to 30,000 SF. 

There are various products available including ESD Epoxy and Polyurethane coatings (for high traffic areas), to Carpet, Rubber, and Vinyl.

ESD Vinyl

The only ESD vinyl floors to consider, are called solid vinyl tile (SVT). It requires plenty of maintenance, but when propertly maintained SVT vinyl is attractive.. The material is relatively inexpensive, but installation and annual maintenance costs can be prohibiitve (at least $1/sq ft per year). This can add up fast..over five years, this adds over $5/ sq ft to the original cost. There are true no-wax ESD vinyl floors, however, they can be costly, and should only be used in very light traffic areas. High speed buffing (burnishing) is often recommended for cleaning, which can get costly (heat from the buffing machine melts and then reseals the floor). An alternative to this is low speed buffing, using a static control spray buff formula. The maintenance cost of SVT conductive tiles is greater than maintaining carpet and rubber.

Static Dissipative Carpet Tile

Carpet tiles are installed with clean, fast-drying release adhesive. The tiles can be installed directly over old VCT or concrete. If you are tired of the maintenance and waxing an SDT dissipative vinyl ESD floor, then carpet tile may be a good choice. Of course, carpet has its disadvantages. Carpet is not well suited to accommodate heavy loads, such as forklifts and pallet jacks. Carpet also has a low resistance to chemicals and solvents.

ESD Rubber

Conductive rubber greatest advantage, is that it is effective at preventing static in areas where grounded footwear is not, or cannot be used-places such as computer labs, command centers, and 911 call centers. (IMPORTANT: you must be sure that the chosen rubber is conductive and not static dissipative; static dissipative rubber floor conductivity exceeds the recommended system resistance (<35 megohms) requirement of ESD S20.20-2007). Ergonomically, rubber has better anti-fatigue factor than epoxy or vinyl; Rubber is less porous than vinyl, which makes it easier to clean, wash and maintain. However, rubber's installed cost is the highest of all options.

ESD Epoxy

High quality epoxy and urethanes are easy to install, low maintenance, durable, attractive, and cost effective. Solid colors, high gloss, and satin finishes are available. Patterns, multiple colors and textures are even available. An epoxy system must be specified, which will be in compliance with ESD S20.20-2007. This requires resistance to be <35million ohms. Many products on the market do not meet this standard. For explosion proofing, it must be below 1 million ohms. An applicator with suitable experience and knowledge, can ensure that these standards are met. Within facilities where constant heavy loads and high traffic are the norm, epoxies are usually the only practical flooring material. No waxing is required, and low sq ft costs can make this a smart choice. One drawback of epoxy is the lack of color stability. and smooth surface, which can get slippery if wet. Also, when exposed to UV rays, epoxy will tend to amber or yellow. These problems are solved by specifying an epoxy base coat, with a UV stable ESD polyurethane finish coating. This system provide a satin non-slip finish, which with have excellent long term color stability.

Combining Different Materials

In order to accommodate different needs in various departments, you can combine different flooring solutions, for different areas within the facility. You may install conductive carpet tiles in the assembly area then install a perimeter high traffic area of an epoxy conductive flooring system, to handle the majority of the forklift traffic. Another possibility, is to install vinyl tile over access floors and an epoxy product in heavy traffic areas.
​
About the Author: Robert Long, Sales Manager with EP Floors Corp., has over 25 years of experience in the industrial epoxy flooring business. He attends technical training seminars regularly, on the latest ESD flooring innovations, and has managed over a thousand epoxy flooring projects. For more information Robert may be reached at http://www.epfloors.com/ or by email at rlong@EPFloors.com​Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Robert_E_Long/1684141Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7989648

By Lifetime Epoxy Floors Guest Author: John S Primus  

Coatings for Alabama industrial floors are usually designed for use in places with large equipment. These coatings are mainly used in two places:  factories with large machines and high foot traffic or warehouses where forklift traffic is constant. For these applications its is extremely important that the coatings must be level, durable and impact resistant.
Lifetime Epoxy Floors of Boaz Alabama, is one of the most trusted names in industrial floor coatings in the southeast. Currently there are several industrial floor coating options available to choose from.

Types of Industrial Floor Coatings

Epoxy
This is among the best popular coatings for industrial floors. Industrial epoxies usually cover surfaces which are harder like concrete. They are usually made from plastic based resins that are mixed together so as to make a liquid mixture, which is then spread on the floors and later to dry and form a plastic surface. You may paint the floor and stamp decorative versions on it. However, industrial versions require durable coats which will easily withstand wear.

Hybrid Polymer
Hybrid polymers resemble epoxies; however they are more complex and provide more direct advantages for industrial application purposes. These coatings can be more easily installed. The coatings are also more resistant to situations that are common in warehouses and factories like UV radiation and chemical spills. There are newer types of coatings which may be much more costly compared to epoxy options.

Ceramics
Ceramic coatings are usually created out of clay mixed with various stabilizers and burnt into tile or brick shapes. Professionals responsible for the installation then link the materials that are across the floor using jointing cements. Ceramics are excellent at being heat resistant and are usually very durable. The installers often put the ceramics on top of a resin base to enhance the resistance impact. A much newer material made of carbon is slowly replacing the ceramics.
Sealers

For less costly and simpler choices, factories create their floors from concrete and apply a good and appropriate sealer. Such sealers usually prevent moisture from entering the concrete and also help to protect the concrete from long term wear and spills. To keep the concrete in good condition, you have to keep reapplying the sealants usually after a couple of years.

Green polyurethane
Green polyurethane is another form of polyurethane with no toxic isocyanates or any other substance that could be harmful. This is a modified form of hybrid polyurethane which possesses the properties of epoxy and polyurethane binders and is usually used as industrial floor coatings. It's production does not involve any use of chemicals that may pose danger to one's health and now, top regulatory agencies are recommending the use of polyurethane in the absence of isocyanates.

Other benefits of this green coating solution include the fact that it is impervious to moisture. This implies that they are very stable and usually do not go through changes in their chemical composition when they come into contact with water. They are also corrosion resistant when exposed to chemical compared to conventional industrial floor coatings. Green Polyurethane is resistant to a variety of chemicals and possesses excellent adhesive properties and its durability is superior, giving the consumer more value for their money.

Among the aforementioned industrial coating options, Green polyurethane stands out, as it offers more advantages and has less footprint on the environment than other coating solutions.

John Primus is an industrial chemist from Southern California who advocates using industrial floor coatings from Green Polyurethane Companies like Hybrid Coating Technologies, a Northern California high tech coatings company.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/John_S_Primus/1272751Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7422222

By Lifetime Epoxy Expert Guest Author: John S Primus

It's important for Alabama factories and other manufacturing facilities to properly utilize industrial floor coatings. Industrial Floor Coatings provide surface stability, environmental cleanliness and make the facility look more professional. Safety is also an primary concern of those facility managers that chose Alabama Industrial Floor Coatings. Companies that provide for industrial floor coatings reduce the risk of accidents due to excess or lack of traction however after several decades, the environmental safety of using these coatings are now in question.

Industrial floor coatings provide a stable, non-broken surface (given the substrate is also hole or crack- free) for staff and products to move on. The coating also serves to protect the substrate from the wear and tear of wheel and foot traffic. Also, the smoother the surface, the faster people and products move. Coatings also provide a sense of order and cleanliness. Brighter coatings also add to the ambient lighting of the workplace. Safety comes into play because industrial floor coatings made from polyurethane or like materials provide sufficient traction to avoid accidents as against ordinary rough concrete/soil floors or overly smooth concrete/tiled flooring. Aside from commercial uses, industrial coatings are also best for gymnasiums and facilities for indoor sports.

However, the use of conventional polyurethane coatings is not without its own hazards. The material, polyurethane, that we've used for decades for industrial floor coatings is not safe in itself. The manufacture of polyurethane, a prime ingredient for industrial coatings involves the use of toxic chemicals known as isocyanates. Normally and preferably, isocyanates lose their toxicity after bonding with the other chemicals that form the polyurethane. They become inert. However, recent studies have shown that not all of the applied isocyanates completely bond with the other ingredients leaving behind what is known as post-reactive isocyanates. These post-reactive isocyanates are present in the fumes the coating generates during application on floors and other surfaces of a building.

Application personnel that lack sufficient protective equipment become susceptible to these fumes. Employees are exposed to these chemicals in minute amounts during their day-to-day interactions with the workplace and the facility's products can become tainted as well. These chemicals also leech into the environment when the coating is disposed for replacement. The effects of isocyanates of the human body include asthma, vomiting, as well as chest and throat irritation. Exposure to large amounts is fatal.

Such dangers then contradict the premise of safety on the use of polyurethane coatings. The risk was not known until recently but floor coatings have remained essential in the industry. Fortunately, new advances in technology has given rise to the manufacture of a non-toxic polyurethane alternative known as green polyurethane. Non-toxic or green polyurethane does not make use of chemically-bonded isocyanates but instead binds its ingredients at the 'nano' or atomic level. The ingredients lock together or intertwine to form an impermeable substance with the same properties as polyurethane.

Modern manufacturing techniques, also ensure that excess toxic chemicals are filtered out from the finished product. Thus choosing green polyurethane over conventional polyurethane renders the premise of safety of using industrial floor coatings complete. As green polyurethane continues to grow in popularity, floor coatings as well as other materials that use polyurethane become safer and the industries that use them can breathe safely.
John Primus is an industrial chemist from Southern California who advocates avoiding toxic industrial floor coatings for non-toxic green solutions like Green Polyurethane. John is a consultant for Hybrid Coating Technologies a Northern California high tech coatings company. Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/John_S_Primus/1272751