A Basic Guide to Epoxies
There are all sorts of epoxy coatings out there.
Most epoxies are versatile and can be used in a variety of settings, environments and substrates but, but it does take some kind of understanding about epoxies to truly understand which is the best fit your your flooring project.
Below is a guide that can help you differentiate and distinguish between various epoxies. This guide should help you find the best concrete epoxy for your particular needs, no matter what the situation.
Polyamide Epoxies
Polyamide epoxies have their own advantages, one of which is that it is especially resistant to acid. There is also a wide range of applications when it comes to polyamide epoxies as well. One of the advantages to polyamide epoxies is that it stands up well to various conditions, such as bad weather, increased moisture, and more. In this manner, polyamide epoxies might be the best concrete epoxy for these situations, and also if you are looking for more “pot life” than usual.
A polyamide epoxy is a polymer that utilizes polyamide resin and is often compared to ammonia. It tends to be utilized as either a coating or adhesive on many different surfaces.
Polyamine Epoxies
What does “polyamine” refer to? Polyamine refers to compounds that have at least two amino acid groups. They are also produced in nature, as well as synthetically. In fact, polyamines are often used when it comes to manufacturing other chemicals as well, such as paints and coolants.
These epoxies offer more abrasion resistance and is often used to control corrosion, and is used as a corrosion inhibitor. Polyamine epoxies are often used as chelating agents, which means that they can react with metal ions to form a water-soluble complex.
Phenolic Epoxies
While the aforementioned epoxies are much more commonly used, phenolic epoxies aren’t as popular and aren’t as widely used. Phenolic epoxies are chemically resistant, but are usually used in very specific situations. Specifically, they are used on surfaces and in environments when the temperatures are high and the pH is extremely low.
It is also resistant to a wide selection of chemicals, as well. It is particularly resistant to sulfuric acid, for example. Phenolic epoxies are used for many immersion services, as well. Phenolic epoxies are not necessarily the best concrete epoxy and are often considered the best epoxy to line steel drums for various chemical transport, for example. It is not necessarily considered the best concrete epoxy, to be fair.
Novolac Epoxies
Many believe that novolac epoxies are some of the most advanced epoxies that will be used more in the future. Some advantages to novolac epoxies is that they have less of an odor, and there is low permeability with respect to novolac epoxies, as well. Novolac epoxies are considered the best concrete epoxy for concrete tanks, for example, and are often used for industrial and commercial uses, such as for tank lining and external coating for steel and concrete tanks as well. They also serve as a great flooring solution for kitchen and food manufacturing environments due to their high chemical/acid resistance.
One of the advantages to novolac epoxies is how easy it is to apply, as well. Novolac epoxies are also used often for environments such as power plants, refineries, water plants, breweries wineries, and much more.
Our Commando Coat 300X - 2 Layer Acid/Chemical Resistant Flooring Kit is a great solution to any of the above mentioned use cases. starting at just $2.09 per sq.ft. Check out more about this product here.
Brewing using our Commando Coat 300X - Tile Red and Medium Gray
Commando Coat 300X comes with everything you need to install.
- Prep/etch solution for prepping the floor
- Roller pad
- Roller frame
- Mixing stick/Metal Mixer
- Non-skid additive
- Mixing Bucket with liner
- Instructions
- Spike Shoes* (only comes with the purchase of 1000 sq/ft or more)
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Zack
March 07, 2021
I’m thinking of doing an epoxy shower pan. I know resin is self leveling but I was going to do it coat by coat so it would be controlled. It’s a custom shower build and the pre-made shower pan is $1600 so I figured epoxy is the mother of all waterproofing and cheaper. What would be your suggestion to achieve a desirable result?