What is Polyurethane?
In the industrial world, epoxy and polyurethane are both thermosetting polymers, their differences in function and performance are vast. For concrete floor coating applications, the most durable, longest-lasting coating systems usually include the use of both epoxy and polyurethane. However, it should be noted that each has advantages over the other. For example, Polyurethane is renowned for its extremely durable and flexible synthetic material and some of its advantages include:
- Flexibility of polyurethane. While, technically, epoxy is harder and therefore more durable – we’ve found that polyurethane lasts longer because it flexes with an impact and does not abrade as heavily as epoxy.
- Resistance to solvents and alkalis. As with epoxy, certain chemical reactions simply have less impact on polyurethane products than epoxy ones. For areas in contact with oils and solvents, polyurethane is the best option.
- Speed of curing. Polyurethane will cure faster than epoxy in most situations. In time-sensitive operations or where the resin is needed for a mission-critical application, this is one of the advantages polyurethanes bring.
- Resistance to temperature extremes. The flexibility of a polyurethane coat also comes with another benefit – when the resin goes from hot to cold rapidly (or vice-versa) it tends to flex rather than becoming brittle and breaking. This can be very important for some project-specific areas.
- Resistance to scratching. The polyurethane finish is less scratchable than the epoxy finish. This ensures that the floor maintains its aesthetic properties longer than epoxy floors undergoing similar treatments.
- Life cycle costs. An important advantage of polyurethane flooring systems is the possibility to renew the topcoat without complete removal of the flooring system – a process called “retopping”. As compared to other flooring systems that have to be replaced when reaching the end of their lifetime. Polyurethane flooring systems are especially advantageous in the case of long-term usages of 40 years. Within this period, most of the comparative flooring systems have to be replaced at least once.
On the other hand, epoxy floors are resistant to a large number of chemicals such as solvents and acids. They are decorative and come in different colors, they are easy to clean and they are robust making suitable for heavy use and mechanical loads, such as forklift traffic in warehouses, workshops and production areas.
However, when it comes to epoxy vs polyurethane flooring systems, the important takeaway is to realize that both product technologies work well in conjunction with each other to produce a durable, long-lasting flooring solution. As part of an international group of licensed applicators, we at Svista are available to advise and recommend the right flooring system to your facility.