Polyaspartic vs Epoxy and Urethane
One of the most crucial aspects of line marking and safety marking is choosing the right product. There are a number of different products available and choosing the wrong product for a project could cause untimely and costly failures post installation.
As suppliers and installers we are armed with the knowledge and product expertise to choose the right product. Some coatings are better suited to different substrates and environments and getting an efficient and effective coating is always priority.
The two main coating systems which we are going to look at in this article are Polyaspartic and Epoxy and Urethane. Polyaspartic is a hybrid product coating that has desirable pre and post installation properties especially reduced dry time. Epoxy and Urethane is a product which has been used for many years in the industry as a standard.
To discuss these products further let us look at both products in more detail.
Epoxy and urethane coating systems
One of the key components of Epoxy and urethane coating systems is that they offer a double layer of protection. Epoxy and urethane coating systems work extremely well in heavily industrial applications.
The double layer coating offers a tight bond and is less permeable which helps to protect the substrate from damage. Epoxy and urethane coating systems naturally offer an increased chemical resistance and high level of protection to both metal and concrete substrates especially.
Epoxy and urethane coating systems offers resistance against many chemical compounds including sulfuric acid which is commonly used in industrial processes and settings.
One drawback for the use of Epoxy and urethane coating systems is that some organic acids like nitric acid can damage the coatings.
In these cases, if the decision to use Epoxy and urethane coating systems is made then it is worth checking the technical data sheets for the product prior to application.
Polyaspartic Resin Systems
Polyaspartic Resin Systems are relatively new within our industry and use the latest chemical technology to create their bond and properties. Polyaspartic Resin is a cross tech system which is similar to polyurethane in properties. The most inspiring aspect of this product is that although similar to epoxy, Polyaspartic Resin offers more versatility and minimal install time.
This product only requires a single coat, whereas Epoxy coatings require a double layer. Before its commercial success Polyaspartic Resin was often compared to its distant cousin polyurethane.
Polyaspartic technology breaks from traditional polyurethanes because polyaspartic esters can easily be manipulated to suit varying applications. Manipulating the esters during installation allows for more controlled drying times. This is a significant improvement on standard epoxy-based products.
Product Safety
Polyaspartic Resin Systems offer lower and zero VOC making it safer to apply in confined areas compared to epoxy coatings.
Our verdict
Operational and functional aspects should always be evaluated when choosing the right product.
Our preference would be to offer Polyaspartic Resin. This product offers faster cure time and quicker installation time and similar resistant properties. Reducing downtime and allowing businesses to return to their operational peak.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team if you have any questions or require any information about any of the products mentioned in this article.
We are always happy to help.