Polyurea coatings dominate the $853.28 million global polyurea market in 2022, comprising 66% of sales. These applications are widespread in the construction, mining, and energy industries
They’re also an excellent option for commercial, industrial, and residential flooring systems. Polyurea offers many unmatched benefits when used in these applications.
Keep reading to find out why polyurea coating is a good choice for your home or business.
What is Polyurea Coating?
Polyurea is an elastomer, which is a type of polymer with elastic properties. Plastic cling film is also a kind of elastomer.
Manufacturers create these kinds of polymers via step-growth polymerization. The process involves combining isocyanate-reactive materials with synthetic resin, creating a dual-component system.
Together, these two ingredients form an impact-resistant, non-toxic coating. It’s suited to almost any surface.
Manufacturers create variations of polyurea by combining different varieties of isocyanate and resin. These differ according to:
- Gel and cure times
- Adhesion
- Flexibility
- Tear strength
- Impact resistance
These coatings suit various applications depending on their characteristics. For instance, there are several different types of coatings suited to garage flooring, learn more.
Why Choose Polyurea Floor Coating?
Polyurea has many excellent properties to suit home, commercial, and industrial use. These are:
Resists Impacts and Corrosion
When applied to a surface, polyurea enhances corrosion and impact resistance.
This makes it an excellent choice for protecting wood, steel, and concrete surfaces. It can bridge cracks and adheres well to almost any surface.
It doesn’t degrade in harsh weather conditions, so it can protect surfaces from environmental concerns for many years.
Polyurea is highly resistant to impacts and is currently used as a component of bulletproof armor by the US military. It’s also exceptionally elastic and can withstand elongation of up to 1000% in temperatures as low as -40 °F.
Moisture-Proof
Commercial and industrial contractors favor polyurea when they require superior protection from moisture infiltration. For this reason, they often use polyurea coatings for below-grade waterproofing of concrete structures.
Fast Gel Time
The versatility of polyurea stems from a rapid gel time. Contractors can apply polyurea coatings in temperatures as low as -20° F, and it will still create a strong bond with the applied surface.
Polyurea sets in seconds and you can walk on it just a minute after application. It’s fully cured within 24 hours.
Thanks to a quick drying time, your floors won’t be out of commission for extended time frames, either. The fast-drying time also helps reduce the labor costs associated with installing this kind of coating.
Offers Versatile, Attractive Options
Not only is polyurea durable, but it’s also extremely versatile. When you opt for a polyurea floor coating, you can choose from several attractive colors and designs.
Due to all the above properties, you can use polyurea coatings both indoors and outdoors. It’s as well-suited to patios and sidewalks as it is to garage floors.
For best results, contractors must prepare the intended surface correctly before applying the polyurea coating.
Common Applications of Polyurea Coatings
Apart from military and construction applications, polyurea coatings have widespread uses in many industries. These include:
Cold Storage and Food Processing
Food and cold storage facilities have long taken advantage of polyurea coatings. The most common use of these coatings is to create a monolithic barrier against debris, moisture, and bacteria.
It’s easy to clean and maintain warehouses and freezers coated with polyurea using only water and soap.
Wastewater and Water Treatment Plants
When properly applied, polyurea provides good protection against corrosion. This makes it ideal for protecting plumbing, sewer, and wastewater systems.
Since these designs contain water constantly, they require high-grade protection from the effects of corrosion.
The Energy Industry
Fossil fuels are volatile and toxic to the environment once they’re removed from their sources. This is especially so during extraction and storage.
Oil and gas companies use polyurea coatings for containment and extraction areas involving these substances. These large geotextile fabric coatings and tank coatings prevent spills and leaks.
Thanks to polyurea’s high resistance to chemicals, it’s a sensible choice for these and other industrial applications.
Excavation and Mining
Mining equipment requires optimum protection against extreme working conditions. Abrasion resistance is key when it comes to mining equipment as it churns through earth and rocks.
These abrasion-proof coatings are close hybrids of polyurea coatings.
Concrete Coatings
Concrete is widely used in the construction industry and is an excellent durable choice for buildings, pavements, and floors. Over time, concrete does wear and can crack, unless it’s treated with a protective layer.
Polyurea is the best choice for keeping concrete in as-new condition for many years beyond its regular lifespan. It keeps moisture out and provides a protective layer against wear and tear.
Sprayed-on polyurea coatings provide a smooth, continuous surface. This is optimal for preventing water seepage.
Alternatives to Polyurea
Polyurea isn’t the only available coating system available, but it’s superior to the other options in many ways. The two most popular alternatives are:
Epoxy
Epoxy is a cheaper, less durable alternative to polyurea.
The biggest drawback with epoxy is its long cure time. It can take up to three weeks to set.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane is similar to polyurea in many aspects and is widely used in the auto industry. Polyurea has the edge over this material in that it doesn’t emit any VOCs.
Get a Good Grounding
With this information about polyurea coating, you’re better equipped to take advantage of the benefits of these materials in your home and business.
Always consult an expert when deciding on long-lasting fixtures such as these, or you could end up with an expensive and permanent mistake. Applying polyurea floor coatings isn’t a DIY job if you want to achieve the best results.
Would you like to discover more innovative ways to improve your surroundings? Browse our blog for the best home improvement tips and ideas.
