Polyurea

Polyurea have some unique advantages and benefits when compared to other protective coatings, it an extremely hard-wearing coating that is both waterproof, abrasion resistant and protects what whatever it has been applied to from corrosion while also being chemically resistant. 

 Some of the benefits of polyurea coatings are:

• It has a very fast curing time and is trafficable almost immediately to pedestrian traffic. 
• It has excellent abrasion resistance. 
• Polyurea can be applied in variable temperature conditions, and has excellent heat resistance
• Coating thickness can be controlled. 
• Extremely tenacious bonding

Polyurea is an elastomer substance derived from step-growth polymerization, which involves combining a synthetic resin and isocyanate reactive materials. The reaction of an isocyanate part with a resin component part produces polyurea. 

Polyurea provides a seamless application process that allows for application in environments that require an adaptive membrane that provides unrivalled waterproofing capabilities in even the harshest environments. 

It also provides excellent chemical, and abrasion resistance over a long period of time when applied correctly, making it a profitable investment that requires little maintenance is most environments. It also offers total water tightness. Polyurea waterproofing is vital in the construction and industrial environments to stop leaks, protection of assets from abrasion and can be used as a general, high strength protective coatings on most surfaces. 

Polyurea coating has some unique advantages that set them apart from other types of protective coatings. It also has some limitations and special requirements in order to properly apply it.

Before applying polyurea as floor coating, it is important to ensure that the surface is free of contaminants that may affect the products adhesion. Here are some things to consider when applying polyurea:

• You will need to ensure that you have repaired any joints and cracks.
• Apply the primer to a dust free surface. 
• Within two to four hours, the primer must have cured to walk on depending on the ambient temperature that the primer has been applied in. 
• Once the primer coat has cured, you can now apply the polyurea coating. All of these steps can be done in just a single day. 
• Where required a UV stable topcoat can be applied. 

Polyurea is applied with the use of specifically designed machinery that heats the polyurea to 60 – 70 degrees. Once the polyurea has been heated to the manufacturer’s specified temperature, it is ready to be applied. 

Both components of the material are mixed together in plural component, heated, high pressure 1:1 spray mixing equipment that sprays the polyurea at a minimum of 2000PSi. Adequate pressure and temperature should be maintained at all times. Polyurea is sprayed in smooth, multidirectional passes to improve uniform thickness and appearance.

No. During initial surface preparation, any dirt and oily contaminants must be eliminated through abrasive sandblasting or other methods as applicable to remove surface contaminants. Surfaces must be checked for thorough cleanliness to guarantee strong coating adhesion. Preparation is key in the application of polyurea. 

The durability and quality of your coating is greatly impacted by the surface preparation that is carried out before the application of primers. 

Primers should also be treated with the utmost care to ensure it remains uncontaminated before the polyurea is applied. 

Compared to epoxy coatings, polyurea is greatly superior in moisture resistance, UV resistance (for aliphatic coatings), abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, temperature resistance and durability. It also has a quicker cure time which will minimise down time on your project. 

Epoxy has been the most popular floor coating for many years, but polyurea has proven to be a longer lasting and reliable product. Epoxy coatings have been criticized in the past years for their poor adhesion, including their tendency to peel and crack more easily in more demanding environments. 

On the other hand, the polyurea adheres with more superiority to the surface and has far superior elongation and resistance to shock and movement.

Compared to polyurethane, polyurea has superior durability, chemical resistance, and moisture resistance.

Both polyurea and polyurethane have high resistance to water penetration, however Polyurea is scratch and chemical resistant as well. 

Polyurea’s bond is extremely strong to properly prepared substrates. On the other hand, polyurethane’s bond is less tenacious, often requiring a recoat every four to seven years. Both share some flexibility features, but polyurea has a longer service life when compared to polyurethane.

This protective waterproof coating can endure any hard impact without any cracking. 

This type of coating can last up 25 years in some environments. How amazing is that? It is a much less costly option over the long term that coatings that require replacement more often. 

This coating is made of isocyanates that are highly reactive and low molecular weight chemicals. Working with such materials without safety materials can cause eye irritation, inflammation, wheezing, sore throat, chest tightness, shortness of breath, cold-like symptoms, among other things. 

It can also be harmful to have the components that make up polyurea on your skin. 

It is therefore highly recommended that when working with a protective coating such as polyurea, great care is taken to protect yourself and those around you from coming into prolonged direct contact with raw materials and inhaling the ‘overspray’.

Polyurea coatings allow for considerable movement. Allowing for almost 50% elongation. 

Polyurea can be applied in environments where movement and flexibility is a concern as it has the capability to accommodate this.