What is polyurea, and how does it work?
Keeping the workplace safe and taking care of assets are two constant concerns in every industry. A wide variety of innovations have been born from these concerns, polyurea being one of them.
This synthetic polymer was created from the reaction of a diamine, which is an organic substance, with an isocyanate, a colourless and volatile liquid. The result is polyurea, a substance similar to polyurethane. This membrane is incredibly resistant and waterproof and has a wide variety of uses, one of which is an industrial coating.
One of the most common industrial coating applications is waterproofing, protection and sealing. The main reason for its popularity as an industrial coating is that when applied at high temperatures, polyurea moulds perfectly to the surface where it is applied, thus providing a resistant layer that can last for years.
Due to its molecular structure, the industrial polyurea coating is regularly used to cover structures or equipment that are exposed to extreme conditions, or that may suffer corrosion due to weather conditions or corrosive substances with which they work. An excellent example of this would be industrial tanks.
One of the most compelling reasons to choose industrial polyurea coating for tanks is that its protection against humidity prevents leaks in the tank. It is also an excellent option as protection against mechanical abrasion and chemical action on concrete surfaces. On steel, polyurea provides anticorrosive properties in the long and medium term.
Types of Polyurea Tank Coatings
There are two core types of industrial polyurea coating. The first is hybrid polyurea, which mixes this synthetic polymer with polyurethane, creating a ‘hybrid’. The mixture of polyurea and polyurethane reduces the overall properties of polyurea and makes it a less resistant coating. In most scenarios, hybrid coatings are a more cost-effective solution for applications that do not require the full attributes of a pure polyurea.
The second type of industrial polyurea coating is ‘pure polyurea‘. A pure polyurea is not mixed with polyurethane and typically has better chemical resistance, elongation and waterproofing attributes than a hybrid polyurea.
Pure polyurea can also be divided into two types: Aliphatic and aromatic. The big difference between one and the other is that aliphatic polyurea is highly resistant to ultraviolet rays, keeping its colour in outdoor environments. In contrast, aromatic polyurea tends to colour shift under UV light.
What are the benefits of industrial polyurea coating?
Changing a tank’s current coating for an industrial polyurea coating has many advantages, so every company should consider replacing any existing failed coatings coating with a new polyurea coating. Here are some of its benefits:
– Faster application than other coatings.
– Maximum adherence to surfaces.
– The industrial polyurea coating adapts to any shape.
– Excellent waterproof properties.
– Prevents corrosion and is resistant to abrasion, compression and tears.
– Resistance to UV rays and various chemical agents.
There is no doubt that protecting tanks and other assets with a PAXCON by LINE-X® industrial coating is an option to consider when choosing a polyurea coating that can protect and extend the useful life of any industrial tank.
