How to decide on the choice of system: polyurea, epoxy or maybe polyurethane?

Below we present the most important differences.  

Polyurea, epoxy and polyurethane systems are the basic flooring systems and the most frequently chosen solutions by contractors. 

How to best choose a system for the room, the client's expectations or your own? You will find the answers below.  

The most important differences between the mentioned systems:

PROPERTIES POLYUREA POLYURETHANE EPOXY
Resistance to UV radiation and atmospheric factors Yes Yes NO
Method of hardening the coating chemical chemical chemical
Full hardening of the coating 24 hours 7 days 7 days
Time interval between layers 2-3 hours 24-36 hours 24-36 hours
Abrasion resistance according to the Taber test 62 mg 58 mg 57 mg
Coating appearance gloss gloss gloss
High chemical resistance of the coating Yes Yes Yes
Coating color not available in the full range of RAL colors available in the full range of RAL colors not available in the full range of RAL colors
Application method roller/spray roller/spray roller/spray
Examples Neodur Fast Track

Neodur Fast Track SF

 Neodur Special Neopox SF Plus

Epoxol Floor

Outdoor and indoor exposure

Polyurea and polyurethane resins are resistant to weather conditions and UV radiation. They can be used outdoors (terraces, parking lots, driveways, etc.) as well as indoors (garages, production halls, rooms in the house). The resistance of polyurethane and polyurea coatings to UV from a chemical point of view results from the type of chains these compounds create (they do not form closed structures). In the case of epoxies, UV exposure causes the bonds in the chains to break, resulting in, for example, the release of the dye. Epoxies have a natural tendency to turn yellow or chalk.  

Method of hardening the coating 

Polyurea, epoxy and polyurethane resins are two-component products. The cross-linking process (hardening, i.e. combining the functional groups of resins with active groups of hardeners) is initiated by combining the base with the hardener, as a result of which "bridges" are formed between the resin molecules (creating seamless coatings). That is why it is so important to mix the ingredients in the right proportion so that the ingredients react with each other in the right amount. If the components are mixed incorrectly and their quantities are incorrectly selected, the cross-linking process may be disturbed and the coating may, for example, become sticky, brittle and susceptible to damage.  

Time interval between layers/full curing of the system

The time interval between layers is very important. Some polyureas, epoxies and polyurethanes are solvent-based products. This means that the solvent evaporates while the coating is curing. Therefore, it is important to maintain appropriate time intervals between layers so as not to "close" the solvent with another layer of resin. Likewise, the full hardening times of the coating should be observed. The coating may seem hardened on the surface, but remember that these are products that harden chemically, which is not visible at first glance. To sum up: mechanical hardening occurs all the time, which involves gripping the substrate by the applied product, and chemical hardening, i.e. the polymerization process.  

Mechanical strength of coatings

According to Taber tests, epoxy resins have the highest abrasion resistance. However, the differences in values ​​between polyurea, polyurethane and epoxy are insignificant, which means that each of the mentioned products has very good abrasion resistance and is ideal for rooms such as warehouses, production halls, and garages.