Epoxy and Chemical Resistance
Chemical resistance is another virtue of epoxy that opens up many industrial and commercial uses. Epoxy stands up to the abuse that many common industrial substances dish out. Epoxy coating systems are resistant to acetone, alcohols, solvents, and many hydroxides and chlorides across a wide range of temperatures. Epoxy is often used in industry because the hard plastic coating is impervious to many common industrial acids and fuels.
The same chemical process which gives epoxy its hardness also makes it very chemically resistant. In fact, vinegar and acetone, which can be used as solvents for uncured epoxy, are largely ineffective against epoxy that has had a chance to cure.
When you think chemical resistance, sea water does not readily come to mind as a reactive substance. However, sea water is highly reactive. For marine use, epoxy coatings are a standout choice as a primer for metal surfaces.
Epoxy and Electrical Resistance
Epoxy used as a coating provides a level of electrical resistance, as it is an insulator much like glass. In factory conditions, epoxy is often augmented with anti-static coatings to prevent static charge from building up on the floor.
Epoxy and Beauty
In addition to standard clear coating, epoxy is also readily available in formulations that create a beautiful working surface. Combined with aggregates and colored chips, epoxy coatings can closely simulate the look of treated granite at a fraction of the cost of using real stone. Sparkling mica, paint fragments and other additives can create just about any look desired, plus, the coating retains the strengths of an epoxy coating.
Epoxy can be used in almost any setting as a high performance coating. Ask your painting contractor if an epoxy coating can be put to work in your facility.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Part 1 - Too Beautiful To Be This Tough: The Virtues of Epoxy Paint
Where can you use epoxy?
You can use epoxy almost anywhere that you need a durable, chemically resistant surface finish. Epoxy has many virtues which make it a coating of choice for many commercial and industrial applications.
Use Epoxy for Excellent Adhesion
Excellent adhesion characteristics expand potential epoxy uses to any setting where impact resistance is a prime concern. By making a very strong bond with a treated surface, epoxy has the tenacity to perform where other paints come up short.
Repair and renovation of floors and decking is possible by using epoxy as the primary coating. The two component paint locks into the surface and leeches deeply into the substrate. When properly applied, epoxy provides superior adhesion to almost any other coating.
Adhesion for chemical and electrical resistance will be covered in part two.
You can use epoxy almost anywhere that you need a durable, chemically resistant surface finish. Epoxy has many virtues which make it a coating of choice for many commercial and industrial applications.
Use Epoxy for Excellent Adhesion
Excellent adhesion characteristics expand potential epoxy uses to any setting where impact resistance is a prime concern. By making a very strong bond with a treated surface, epoxy has the tenacity to perform where other paints come up short.
Repair and renovation of floors and decking is possible by using epoxy as the primary coating. The two component paint locks into the surface and leeches deeply into the substrate. When properly applied, epoxy provides superior adhesion to almost any other coating.
Adhesion for chemical and electrical resistance will be covered in part two.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Part 2 - What is Epoxy? Here’s the Rundown of Everything You Need to Know About Epoxy Based Coatings and Curing
The Secret to Epoxy Coatings: Proper Curing
Epoxy coatings have two parts, the base and the curing agent. These components are stored separately from each other, and are mixed just before the epoxy paint is going to be applied. The secret to getting a good epoxy coating is found in the curing process.
Once mixed together, your painting and coating contractor has a limited amount of time to apply the paint before it has dried too much for further use. This time is called pot life, and the drying process is called curing. Although the pot life for epoxy paint can range from ten minutes to an hour, epoxy can take several days to fully cure.
The curing process affects the final finish of the epoxy coating. If the process is rushed by various factors, the coating will not be as tough or as durable as the project requires. Similarly, if the curing times are extended for too long, the final quality of the coating will suffer.
Epoxy paints are best applied within a narrow range of temperatures, typically from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with an ideal applicant temperature of 65 to 70 degrees. Temperatures outside of this range affect the pot life and drying time of epoxy paints.
Moisture also affects the application process. Like most paints, epoxy coatings are best applied in conditions of average humidity. More importantly, the surface material has to be absolutely dry when the epoxy paint is applied. High humidity will slow down the curing process, although some special formulations of epoxy paint contain additives which allow the paints to be applied in high humidity environments.
Epoxy coatings have two parts, the base and the curing agent. These components are stored separately from each other, and are mixed just before the epoxy paint is going to be applied. The secret to getting a good epoxy coating is found in the curing process.
Once mixed together, your painting and coating contractor has a limited amount of time to apply the paint before it has dried too much for further use. This time is called pot life, and the drying process is called curing. Although the pot life for epoxy paint can range from ten minutes to an hour, epoxy can take several days to fully cure.
The curing process affects the final finish of the epoxy coating. If the process is rushed by various factors, the coating will not be as tough or as durable as the project requires. Similarly, if the curing times are extended for too long, the final quality of the coating will suffer.
Epoxy paints are best applied within a narrow range of temperatures, typically from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with an ideal applicant temperature of 65 to 70 degrees. Temperatures outside of this range affect the pot life and drying time of epoxy paints.
Moisture also affects the application process. Like most paints, epoxy coatings are best applied in conditions of average humidity. More importantly, the surface material has to be absolutely dry when the epoxy paint is applied. High humidity will slow down the curing process, although some special formulations of epoxy paint contain additives which allow the paints to be applied in high humidity environments.
Epoxy coatings are durable, long-lasting products with great adhesion, and are an excellent choice to finish a wide range of surfaces. Talk to a painting and coating contractor for more information about these versatile coatings.
Part 1 - What is epoxy? Here’s the rundown of everything you need to know about epoxy based coatings
Epoxy coatings are durable, long-lasting products with great adhesion, and are an excellent choice to finish a wide range of surfaces.
Epoxy Paint Basics
Epoxy paints are hands down some of the toughest coatings on the market. Auto garages, parking decks, factory production floors and other high traffic areas are the typical places you will find an epoxy based coating. When properly applied, epoxy paints can take a beating, and still look good.
In addition to being tough, epoxy paints are also chemically resistant. Greases, acids and solvents find that an epoxy protected surface offers them no way to bite into the finish and attack the material beneath the coating. Epoxy paints are also versatile. The highest performing epoxies are used in marine environments, where they are expected to resist the corrosive action of seawater.
Epoxy may be applied by brush, roller or trowel, and has excellent adhesion characteristics. Typical surfaces for epoxy coatings are concrete and metal. Like all paints, adhesion is strongly influenced by preparation and application techniques.
Part two will include the cure.
Epoxy Paint Basics
Epoxy paints are hands down some of the toughest coatings on the market. Auto garages, parking decks, factory production floors and other high traffic areas are the typical places you will find an epoxy based coating. When properly applied, epoxy paints can take a beating, and still look good.
In addition to being tough, epoxy paints are also chemically resistant. Greases, acids and solvents find that an epoxy protected surface offers them no way to bite into the finish and attack the material beneath the coating. Epoxy paints are also versatile. The highest performing epoxies are used in marine environments, where they are expected to resist the corrosive action of seawater.
Epoxy may be applied by brush, roller or trowel, and has excellent adhesion characteristics. Typical surfaces for epoxy coatings are concrete and metal. Like all paints, adhesion is strongly influenced by preparation and application techniques.
Part two will include the cure.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Part 3 - Painting Green: Commercial Painting Products and Procedures that Build a Greener Reputation
Certification for a Greener Commercial Building
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an independent certification program developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The USGBC is made up of building and construction professionals who believe that greener buildings are viable and sustainable.
LEED publishes a set of procedural guidelines for commercial buildings. Participation in the program is completely voluntary. If a company chooses to take part in LEED certification, the company is graded according to its compliance with the LEED guidelines. Platinum certification indicates the highest level of compliance, and is a verifiable credential for companies wishing to establish a greener reputation.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an independent certification program developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The USGBC is made up of building and construction professionals who believe that greener buildings are viable and sustainable.
LEED publishes a set of procedural guidelines for commercial buildings. Participation in the program is completely voluntary. If a company chooses to take part in LEED certification, the company is graded according to its compliance with the LEED guidelines. Platinum certification indicates the highest level of compliance, and is a verifiable credential for companies wishing to establish a greener reputation.
Part 2 - Painting Green: Commercial Painting Products and Procedures that Build a Greener Reputation
Greener Commercial Painting Products
A host of new products are entering the market every year to fill the green products niche for commercial buildings. Some of these products are cleaner variants of traditional paints, while others use high tech production techniques to achieve their effects.
100 Percent Acrylic Paint:
Using this paint helps out a company’s performance on indoor air quality tests. From a performance standpoint, the 100 percent acrylic paints are a great choice for most indoor applications. They resist dirt and cracking and have a good dry time. From a green commercial painting standpoint, 100 percent acrylics have a very low VOC content, which helps in locations where chemical sensitivities are an issue.
Silicate Paints:
For exterior commercial painting projects, silicate paints are a great way to make your facility a little greener. Silicate paints are made from natural materials and are suited for covering concrete, masonry or gypsum wallboard. Potassium silicate binders give silicate paints good adhesion capability, and additional natural minerals add color.
Soy Ester Paint Stripper:
Commercial restoration projects are often big sources of toxic products. Thinning agents and chemical strippers create a soup of harmful chemicals. By using products that replace the harmful ingredients with soy esters, your painting project can help improve the green image of your building. Soy esters are also used to make more environmentally friendly graffiti removers. These products allow you to incorporate greener practices with everyday maintenance routines.
This is a partial list of green painting products for the commercial building and more are being introduced to the market everyday. Part three will include information about certifications.
A host of new products are entering the market every year to fill the green products niche for commercial buildings. Some of these products are cleaner variants of traditional paints, while others use high tech production techniques to achieve their effects.
100 Percent Acrylic Paint:
Using this paint helps out a company’s performance on indoor air quality tests. From a performance standpoint, the 100 percent acrylic paints are a great choice for most indoor applications. They resist dirt and cracking and have a good dry time. From a green commercial painting standpoint, 100 percent acrylics have a very low VOC content, which helps in locations where chemical sensitivities are an issue.
Silicate Paints:
For exterior commercial painting projects, silicate paints are a great way to make your facility a little greener. Silicate paints are made from natural materials and are suited for covering concrete, masonry or gypsum wallboard. Potassium silicate binders give silicate paints good adhesion capability, and additional natural minerals add color.
Soy Ester Paint Stripper:
Commercial restoration projects are often big sources of toxic products. Thinning agents and chemical strippers create a soup of harmful chemicals. By using products that replace the harmful ingredients with soy esters, your painting project can help improve the green image of your building. Soy esters are also used to make more environmentally friendly graffiti removers. These products allow you to incorporate greener practices with everyday maintenance routines.
This is a partial list of green painting products for the commercial building and more are being introduced to the market everyday. Part three will include information about certifications.
Part 1 - Painting Green: Commercial Painting Products and Procedures that Build a Greener Reputation
Presenting a greener reputation to the public is becoming a matter of business survival. As environmental consciousness becomes a mainstream concern, proving your company’s commitment to green thinking involves adopting practices that make sense for your business and are earth friendly.
Painting Green: Commercial Painting Products and Procedures that Build a Greener Reputation
Going green? In the wake of films like An Inconvenient Truth, presenting a greener reputation to the public may be a matter of business survival. As environmental consciousness becomes a mainstream concern, proving your company’s commitment to green thinking involves adopting practices that make sense for your business and are earth friendly.
Selecting green products and adopting greener practices is not enough. For the most credible commitment and the greatest impact for your company’s reputation, certification is also required to present a best practices reputation for your company.
Going green, this is one of three parts to going green. Next we will look at some green products for commercial painting projects.
Painting Green: Commercial Painting Products and Procedures that Build a Greener Reputation
Going green? In the wake of films like An Inconvenient Truth, presenting a greener reputation to the public may be a matter of business survival. As environmental consciousness becomes a mainstream concern, proving your company’s commitment to green thinking involves adopting practices that make sense for your business and are earth friendly.
Selecting green products and adopting greener practices is not enough. For the most credible commitment and the greatest impact for your company’s reputation, certification is also required to present a best practices reputation for your company.
Going green, this is one of three parts to going green. Next we will look at some green products for commercial painting projects.
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