Selecting the Right Epoxy ESD / Conductive Flooring

June 15, 2015

Conductive and Electrostatic Dissipative (ESD) flooring are used on floors in facilities that need protection for stray static discharges. One example of static discharge is when you walk across a carpet in a very dry room in winter then touch a metal object or another person you get that little electrical zap. Most people find this a bit of nuisance. However if you touch a hard drive or a circuit board and create that same discharge you can damage it beyond repair. Worse yet if you get a static discharge in a chemical or munitions plant where there might be a potentially explosive environment the results can be a catastrophic explosion.

What is ESD Versus Conductive?

Conductive floors have between 100,000 and 1,000,000 ohms of resistance. Electrostatic Dissipative (ESD) floors have between 1 million and 1 billion ohms of resistance. Remember Ohms Law:

Ohms_Law

where I is the current through the conductor in units of amperes, V is the potential difference measured across the conductor in units of volts, and R is the resistance of the conductor in units of ohms. More specifically, Ohm’s law states that the R in this relation is constant, independent of the current.

Simply speaking the resistance is the ohms of resistance that we are talking about above. The lower the ohms of resistance the stronger the conductive medium to conduct the static charge away. The lower the ohm of resistance the more efficiently the conductive/ESD flooring carries the static charge safely away. .This is one situation where the smaller the number the better.

How does Conductive and Electrostatic Dissipative (ESD) flooring Work?

Think of your Conductive and Electrostatic Dissipative (ESD) flooring as a grounding rod. A grounding rod is that metal rod that gets driven into the earth to increase the surface area coming in contact with the ground. You then attach your building ground or lightening rod to that grounding rod. The Conductive and Electrostatic Dissipative (ESD) flooring is much like that. It makes the whole concrete surface that the Conductive and Electrostatic Dissipative (ESD) flooring comes in contact with a large grounding plane, acting much like a grounding rod. In some facilities this effect is enhanced even more with the installation of grounding strips that the Conductive and Electrostatic Dissipative (ESD) flooring connects to the grounding rod(s). .

Where do you use Conductive and Electrostatic Dissipative (ESD) flooring?

Typically ESD flooring is used in areas to protect electronics. Conductive is more commonly used where there is the potential for an explosive environment. Most facilities that require ESD flooring can use conductive flooring as well. The reverse is typically not true. Facilities that require Conductive Flooring typically cannot use ESD flooring. The good news is that most Epoxy.com ESD flooring can be made to be conductive by first priming with Epoxy.com Product #671 Conductive Primer Sealer – www.epoxy.com/671.aspx.

Most Commonly Used Conductive and Electrostatic Dissipative (ESD) flooring

Epoxy.com has a wide variety of conductive and ESD flooring systems. Product #671 –www.epoxy.com/671.aspx – for example can be applied with one coat as a primer and one coat as a top-coating creating a highly conductive flooring system at a very low cost.

Product #1ESD – www.epoxy.com/1esd.aspx – is available in 15 colors. It is 100% solids making it an ultra high solids bis-A epoxy floor coating designed to provide electrostatic control properties to various surfaces including concrete or other nonconductive substrates. The use of a conductive primer will transmit conductive readings through ESD (Electrostatic Dissipative) Epoxy Coating for ESD Flooring Epoxy.com Product #1 if applied no thicker than 15 mils.

Product #630 Conductive – www.epoxy.com/630conductive.aspx is a 100% solids epoxy Novolac chemical resistant conductive epoxy floor coating ideal for severe chemical and solvent storage requiring conductive and spark proof surfaces. Applied at a nominal 1/16”, Epoxy.com Product #630 Conductive Novolac Epoxy Chemical Resistant Conductive Floor Coating offers the superior chemical resistance of an Epoxy.com Novolac Epoxy Resin System while maintaining a conductive surface. It also is available in 15 colors

Epoxy.com Product #674 – Electrostatic Dissipative Urethane (ESD) Coating is a two component, Electrostatic Dissipative chemical resistant, polyurethane coating. The high gloss finish offers excellent abrasion resistance, chemical and stain resistance, and superior color retention. Epoxy.com Product #674 – Electrostatic Dissipative Urethane Coating can be used equally well on vertical or horizontal surfaces. It is ideal for concrete floors and walls in warehouses, storage facilities, aircraft hangars, animal housing, and vehicle maintenance facilities. Available in both clear and pigmented formulations, Epoxy.com Product #674 – Electrostatic Dissipative Urethane Coating can be used as a finish coating option for most Epoxy.com Flooring Systems.

Epoxy.com Product #675 Electrostatic Dissipating (ESD) Water Borne Epoxy Topcoat is a pigmented, water emulsion epoxy electro-static dissipative finish designed to have maximum penetration into concrete surfaces to provide high bond strength and adhesion. It has very low odor and can be used in occupied areas as a finish sealer in Thin-Film Electro-Static Dissipative Coating Systems.

Epoxy.com Product #676 Novolac Epoxy Chemical Resistant Conductive Floor Coating is a 100% solids – Zero (0) VOC epoxy Novolac Chemical resistant conductive (anti-sparking) epoxy flooring and floor coating system ideal for severe chemical and solvent storage requiring a chemically resistant conductive and spark resistant surface.

For help in selecting the right conductive flooring system for your application please call technical support at 352-533-2167 or email me at norm@epoxy.com.

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Posted by Norm Lambert

Choosing the Right Epoxy Sealer

May 18, 2015

Having the knowledge of which type of sealer to use is extremely important to the overall satisfaction of the job. There are 3 basic types of epoxy sealers. The first is 100% solids epoxy, solvent based sealants and finally water based sealers. There are also urethane and acrylic sealers.

To understand how each sealant works one must understand how they act as an epoxy. http://www.epoxy.com/primersealer.aspx . The 100% solids epoxy when applied to a floor retains a consistent thickness. Epoxy.com #15 http://www.epoxy.com/15.aspx is the best product for maintaining a clear epoxy sealer without any loss of thickness due to evaporation. If you roll a gallon of material on your floor, when it hardens you maintain the thickness of the full gallon of spread coverage.

Epoxy.com #15 can be used to seal previously installed epoxy and river rock stone on pool decks or walkways. It also seals Epoxy Chip flooring, as well as acts as a binger and sealer to Epoxy quartz flooring. It provides protection, just the right amount of shine and helps to keep the water from permeating the underlying concrete. It also works well inside in garages. It is our most versatile sealer that we offer it works great on concrete inside and when properly installed outdoors.

When you apply a water based sealer or solvated sealer you will consistently loose a percentage of the thickness due to evaporation. Even though this is the case there are times when a 100% solids epoxy may not do exactly what you need it to accomplish. In this case we offer products with different components and viscosity to suit your needs as a consumer.

Epoxy.com #671  is a low viscosity, two component, carbon filled, polyamide modified conductive primer/sealer formulated with special wetting agents to provide maximum penetration into concrete surfaces. Product #671 Primer Sealer is ideal for both new and old concrete surfaces. Product #671 Conductive Epoxy Primer Sealer provides excellent resistance to wear, and can be used either alone or as a conductive sealer or as a conductive epoxy primer when used with Product #674 Electro-Static Dissipating Urethane Topcoat and our Conductive Systems.

Epoxy.com #80 is a solvented clear acrylic solution formulated to create a clear, non-yellowing protective coating. Product #80 ACRYLIC SEALER http://www.epoxy.com/acrylic-sealer.aspx provides a tough, UV and abrasion resistant film that effectively protects surfaces from moisture penetration, staining, dirt, dust, and wear. It is good for both indoor as well as outdoor applications. This works well to seal existing terrazzo floors and as well as slate.

For those in California, who don’t want to use a 100% solid material, we offer Epoxy.com http://www.epoxy.com/High-Solids-Urethane-Coating.aspx Epoxy.com # 441 is free of the health and environmental problems normally found in solvent-based urethanes, while maintaining excellent performance properties. The very low VOCs allows this urethane coating to meet the strict low VOC standards. Epoxy.com # 441 Polyurethane Coating and Sealer provides a matte finish. Product #441 water-based urethane coating and sealer has good chemical, stain, and mar resistance.

Finally the most important thing to remember when you are choosing an Epoxy.com Sealer is to make sure you are using The Right Product for The Right Job. If you would like assistance with your selection please call our Technical Support Line at 352-533-2167 and we will be happy to assist you.

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Posted by Katey Fontaine

Epoxy Cold Temperature

January 29, 2015

Installing Epoxy in Coolers and Cold Temperature

Extend Epoxy Installation Season into Winter

I have spoken on this subject here before but this time of year I get a lot of calls and emails about installing epoxy in cold temperatures. Our company started out as an installation company in Vermont. Summers are very short and winters are very long in Vermont. To stay a viable company, we had to figure ways of working through the winter.

Tenting and heating areas during the winter is time consuming and expensive. The solution is found in resin products that will set in low temperatures. The most durable and cost effective options of installation at cold temperatures is Epoxy and Methyl Methacrylate.

Cold Temperature Cure Resins can also be used as a super-fast setting Resinous Mortar or Coating at normal temperatures. Our Cold Temperature Cure Resins used at normal temperature give you quick turnaround time for small jobs, or larger jobs that require a short turn-around time.

Cold Temperatures Epoxies

Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Resins allow installation to be done at low temperatures as low as 35°F., expanding your epoxy coating and epoxy flooring installation season. Epoxy.com Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Resins can also be used in cold storage areas like food processing areas, where the temperature cannot be raised higher than 35° F or so. Normal cured epoxy typically requires 50°F or more.

Depending on how you mix the aggregate into the products below, they can be used as a mortar for overlays, or a grout for sealing between other hardened construction materials.

Commonly Used Cold Temperature epoxies

Product #1 Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Coating is 100% solids and specially formulated coatings for cold temperature applications. Cold Temperature Epoxy Coating #1 is able to cure at temperatures as low as 35°F. It is has Zero (0) VOCs. Since it has no VOCs, it has no solvent so it meets the strictest possible standard for a low VOC coating. It is often used in coolers and food preparation areas that require constant low temperatures. Product #1 Cold Temperature Cure Epoxy Coating is also frequently used in room temperature applications to meet super-fast cure, limited shutdown needs.

Product #10 Cold Temperature Curing Epoxy Mortar Resin – This product has a low modulus of elasticity (flexibility) and is Low Viscosity. The low viscosity allows heavy loading of the right fillers. The heavy filler loading helps not only to save money, but helps to maintain better thermal coefficient with respect to concrete and steel. The low modulus of elasticity prevents it from being brittle making it less vulnerable to thermal coefficient differences. It also gives it better impact resistance.

You can find more information on cold temperature cured epoxy at: http://www.epoxy.com/EpoxyColdCured.aspx.

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Posted by Norm Lambert

Repairing Floors with Epoxy Mortar Resin

August 8, 2014
epoxy-Deck-after-2

Epoxy Patching Mortar #10 for patching. Coated with Urethane Decking System #495.

Epoxy.com Product #10 is a versatile resin for use in epoxy floor patching. Product #10 comes in standard cure, fast cure and cold cure. It can be used with 3 different aggregates: self leveling, mortar blend, and broadcast aggregate. Product #10 is available in 15 colors plus black and white making a total of 17 colors available. Custom colors are available at a small additional cost.

The Epoxy Cures

Normal Cure at 77 degrees F. has a pot-life (the usable time after mixing) of about 30-40 minutes. It hardens to the touch in about 10-12 hours. Normal Cure should never be used below 50 degrees F.

Fast Cure at 77 degrees has a pot life about 15-20 minutes. It hardens to the touch in about 5-6 hours. At 50 degrees F the Fast Cure hardens to the touch in 10-12 hours. In other words the Fast Cure at 50 degrees will cure as fast as normal cure at 77 degrees F.

Cold Cure at 77 degrees F. has a pot-life of about 8-10 minutes. It sets hard to the touch in about 2.5 to 3 hours. At 50 degrees F the cold cure will typically cure in 5-6 hours. It is able to cure at temperatures as low as 35°F.

The Aggregates

The aggregates come separately from the Product #10 resin and hardener. That allows you to be able to use a unit of resin with multiple aggregates making the system even more versatile.

Mortar Blend Aggregate Product #82 is the work horse of floor patching. You can get up to 50 lbs or more of Product #82 into a mixed gallon of #10 epoxy mortar. This is ideal for deep patching.

Self Leveling Filler Aggregate Product #78 is used for self leveling applications, typically in thicknesses of 1/16 inch plus or minus. This is ideal where a thinner flat overlay is required. A typical use would be where a floor needs to be leveled. Another typical use would be for a “scratch coat” which is where you are trying to cover large amounts of chips and divots in the floor.

Broadcast Aggregate Product #77 is broadcast into wet #10 in order to produce an anti-skid surface. It can be broadcast into a neat coat (just the resin and hardener mix without the aggregate) of #10 or into the Mortar Blend Aggregate or Self Leveling filler systems above.

In addition to being able to mix the #10 with the fillers above, you can also mix it with Product #71 Fumed Silica to make a paste for cracks and other small imperfections.

 

In summary the Epoxy Mortar Resin Product #10 is a versatile epoxy mortar system available in many colors, several cures and different fillers for different purposes. This makes Product #10 an important part of your floor repair tool chest.

 

Additional Information:

Product #10 Lo-Mod Epoxy Adhesive and Mortar Epoxy Binder is a 100% solids epoxy has a low modulus of elasticity (flexibility) and is Low Viscosity. An adhesive used as a binder for epoxy mortar systems in patching and grouting applications, as a seal coat for non-skid surfaces outside, and as a primer to insure high bond strength for coatings and patches.

System #495 Elastomeric Polyurethane Traffic Membrane System– is an Elastomeric Urethane Membrane System, that is liquid applied. System #495 Elastomeric Polyurethane Traffic Membrane System is seamless, elastomeric (flexible), and UV. Thee qualities make it an excellent choice for outside applications in direct sun and weather, where water tightness, durability, and excellent appearance is required. Its elastomeric properties will allow horizontal movements up to 1/8 inch without breaking. System #495 Elastomeric Polyurethane Traffic Membrane System has excellent abrasion and chemical resistance. The surface of System #495 Elastomeric Polyurethane Traffic Membrane System can be varied to achieve the required anti-skid and decorative look.

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Posted by Norm Lambert

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