Difference Between Epoxies and Polyureas

Epoxies vs Polyureas

Today the two commonly used industrial floor fillers are the epoxy and the polyurea. For the laypersons, knowing the difference between the two is essential information to obtain. What advantage does one possess over the other or which is probably the best filler to be used?

Foremost, epoxies are relatively older than the newly developed polyureas. It was only during the 1990s when the latter was created and surely it made a mark in the industrial world by establishing a fair competition against the epoxy.

In terms of strength, many experts have already tested the relative strength of both polyureas and epoxies. Using an ingenious device known as the ‘Shore A Gauge,’ people now know that polyureas are indeed more flexible than epoxies. There’s no doubt about it, both have almost or basically the same strengths but flexibility tells us another thing ‘“ because epoxy is less flexible, it can take more loads before it flexes. Both fillers are also found to adhere well to concrete.

When installing these filler products, you must also pay close attention to the environmental temperature. If the temperature will fall below freezing point or 0 degrees centigrade, it is ideal to use polyureas. It is because epoxy can’t tolerate freezing temperatures, which halts their curing process.

Did you also know that the two products differ in the manner that they are dispensed? Although both fillers can be dispensed with the use of power pumps, polyureas cannot be dispensed just by using a non-automatic bulk-type gun due to their very limited pot life that usually lasts in a matter of minutes.

Lastly, there is also another situation where the polyureas is a clear victor. A good example is what you can observe in a floor area that is using polyurea, it will basically be made available for passage in just a matter of a couple of hours. Whereas, the floor area that make use of epoxies will require about half a day for the product to set. Overall, polyureas set the fastest compared to epoxies. Thus, when you are expecting an immediate use of the floor area after it was constructed or repaired then better go for polyurea.

In brief:

1. Polyureas are the newer filler products compared to epoxies.

2. Polyureas are said to be more flexible than epoxies.

3. Polyureas can also be used for installation even in temperatures of 0 degrees centigrade and below.

4. Due to a short pot life, polyureas cannot be dispensed manually and will almost always require an automatic dual feed pump. Nevertheless, epoxies can be dispensed using manual guns.

5. Polyureas basically set faster than epoxies.

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