Industrial flooring: What is the difference between Epoxy and Polyurethane

Jan 6, 2021, 03:32 by Cynthia Chong

Epoxy (EP) and Polyurethane (PU) flooring are mostly used for industrial flooring around the world.

Epoxy floor systems are commonly used in heavy-duty industries, warehouses, logistics and heavy-duty general manufacturing. Whenever there are operations that involve heavy vehicle movements, for instance, forklifts, Epoxy floor coatings are considered.

Industrial flooring: What is the difference between Epoxy and Polyurethane

 January 6, 2021. 3:32 AM

In general Epoxy floor coating are tougher. They have higher durability and higher compressive strength as compared to polyurethane flooring.

Polyurethane floor coatings, on the other hand, are typically “softer”. They are more flexible and therefore more scratch resistant. PU flooring can also absorb impact much better than epoxy flooring.

Due to the fact that the PU flooring is more flexible, they are a good choice for substrates that are more flexible or cause vibrations, such as multi-storey carparks. The flexibility of PU coating can also act as a waterproofing layer in order to prevent concrete (substrate) cracks to move through the coating and appear on the top surface.

When it comes to chemical exposure, Polyurethane flooring is the better option especially in the food industries like dairy, milk and beverage production where the floor is exposed to lactic acids and other fruit acids. However, if the floor is exposed to battery acids (sulfuric acids), Epoxy flooring will be a better choice.

An important note on chemical exposure is that it can change the colour of the coating. Any chemical leakage or exposure on the floor need to be removed as soon as possible to avoid penetration and damage which could result in danger to the environment. The right flooring system can be recommended by understanding the kind of chemicals used in the facility beforehand.

PU flooring materials are much more sensitive to moisture presence. Any condensation, floor moisture or extreme high humidity during the application of a PU flooring material can cause heavy damage in terms of bubbles, blisters, pinholes and wrinkles on the top surface as well as debonding issues from the concrete substrate.

Epoxy flooring materials are also sensitive to moisture but not as much compared to PU flooring materials.

Pu flooring materials are usually faster curing than epoxy flooring materials. If a project need to be handed over in a short amount of time, PU flooring could be a consideration. However, applying PU flooring materials require experienced applicators due to its faster pot life. PU flooring material is slightly more expensive in general.

There are many industrial flooring products in the market. It is important to understand that price is not always the only factor, more so about considering the right kind of material for the facility and/or intended purpose.

Write to Mapei if you need free consultation for your flooring project needs. 

Products mentioned in the article

MAPEFLOOR CPU/MF
MAPEFLOOR CPU/MF
Three-component, self-levelling polyurethane-cement mortar with high resistance to chemicals for industrial floors, applied in thicknesses…
MAPEFLOOR EP19 MT
MAPEFLOOR EP19 MT
Three-component epoxy mortar for wear-resistant floors. For use as a wear-resistant, epoxy mortar topping on concrete floors subjected to…
MAPEFLOOR CPU-MF 600 AP
MAPEFLOOR CPU-MF 600 AP
Polyurethane-cement, self-smoothing topping with high chemical-resistance and excellent mechanical properties, for 3-6 mm industrial floor…
MAPEFLOOR I 300 SL
MAPEFLOOR I 300 SL
Two-component, multi-purpose, neutral-coloured epoxy formulate for industrial floor coatings up to 4 mm thick. May be coloured with…
MAPEFLOOR I 302 SL
MAPEFLOOR I 302 SL
Two-component, multi-purpose, epoxy formulated for industrial flooring Mapefloor I 302 SL is a two-component epoxy formulation suitable for…
MAPEFLOOR I 910
MAPEFLOOR I 910
Two-component, epoxy binder Mapefloor I 910 is specially formulated to obtain a better hold in epoxy and polyurethane resin systems, and as…
MAPECOAT I 600 W
MAPECOAT I 600 W
Two-component transparent epoxy primer in water dispersion. Mapecoat I 600 W is used to encourage bonding on absorbent and porous…
MAPECOAT CF-AP
MAPECOAT CF-AP
Mapecoat CF-AP has been specially developed to provide a protective, UV-resistant, abrasion-resistant and high temperature resistant…

Industrial flooring: What is the difference between Epoxy and Polyurethane

 January 6, 2021. 3:32 AM

In general Epoxy floor coating are tougher. They have higher durability and higher compressive strength as compared to polyurethane flooring.

Polyurethane floor coatings, on the other hand, are typically “softer”. They are more flexible and therefore more scratch resistant. PU flooring can also absorb impact much better than epoxy flooring.

Due to the fact that the PU flooring is more flexible, they are a good choice for substrates that are more flexible or cause vibrations, such as multi-storey carparks. The flexibility of PU coating can also act as a waterproofing layer in order to prevent concrete (substrate) cracks to move through the coating and appear on the top surface.

When it comes to chemical exposure, Polyurethane flooring is the better option especially in the food industries like dairy, milk and beverage production where the floor is exposed to lactic acids and other fruit acids. However, if the floor is exposed to battery acids (sulfuric acids), Epoxy flooring will be a better choice.

An important note on chemical exposure is that it can change the colour of the coating. Any chemical leakage or exposure on the floor need to be removed as soon as possible to avoid penetration and damage which could result in danger to the environment. The right flooring system can be recommended by understanding the kind of chemicals used in the facility beforehand.

PU flooring materials are much more sensitive to moisture presence. Any condensation, floor moisture or extreme high humidity during the application of a PU flooring material can cause heavy damage in terms of bubbles, blisters, pinholes and wrinkles on the top surface as well as debonding issues from the concrete substrate.

Epoxy flooring materials are also sensitive to moisture but not as much compared to PU flooring materials.

Pu flooring materials are usually faster curing than epoxy flooring materials. If a project need to be handed over in a short amount of time, PU flooring could be a consideration. However, applying PU flooring materials require experienced applicators due to its faster pot life. PU flooring material is slightly more expensive in general.

There are many industrial flooring products in the market. It is important to understand that price is not always the only factor, more so about considering the right kind of material for the facility and/or intended purpose.

Write to Mapei if you need free consultation for your flooring project needs. 

Products mentioned in the article

MAPEFLOOR CPU/MF
MAPEFLOOR CPU/MF
Three-component, self-levelling polyurethane-cement mortar with high resistance to chemicals for industrial floors, applied in thicknesses…
MAPEFLOOR EP19 MT
MAPEFLOOR EP19 MT
Three-component epoxy mortar for wear-resistant floors. For use as a wear-resistant, epoxy mortar topping on concrete floors subjected to…
MAPEFLOOR CPU-MF 600 AP
MAPEFLOOR CPU-MF 600 AP
Polyurethane-cement, self-smoothing topping with high chemical-resistance and excellent mechanical properties, for 3-6 mm industrial floor…
MAPEFLOOR I 300 SL
MAPEFLOOR I 300 SL
Two-component, multi-purpose, neutral-coloured epoxy formulate for industrial floor coatings up to 4 mm thick. May be coloured with…
MAPEFLOOR I 302 SL
MAPEFLOOR I 302 SL
Two-component, multi-purpose, epoxy formulated for industrial flooring Mapefloor I 302 SL is a two-component epoxy formulation suitable for…
MAPEFLOOR I 910
MAPEFLOOR I 910
Two-component, epoxy binder Mapefloor I 910 is specially formulated to obtain a better hold in epoxy and polyurethane resin systems, and as…
MAPECOAT I 600 W
MAPECOAT I 600 W
Two-component transparent epoxy primer in water dispersion. Mapecoat I 600 W is used to encourage bonding on absorbent and porous…
MAPECOAT CF-AP
MAPECOAT CF-AP
Mapecoat CF-AP has been specially developed to provide a protective, UV-resistant, abrasion-resistant and high temperature resistant…

Industrial flooring: What is the difference between Epoxy and Polyurethane

Jan 6, 2021, 03:32 by Cynthia Chong

Epoxy (EP) and Polyurethane (PU) flooring are mostly used for industrial flooring around the world.

Epoxy floor systems are commonly used in heavy-duty industries, warehouses, logistics and heavy-duty general manufacturing. Whenever there are operations that involve heavy vehicle movements, for instance, forklifts, Epoxy floor coatings are considered.

Industrial flooring: What is the difference between Epoxy and Polyurethane

Jan 6, 2021, 03:32 by Cynthia Chong

Epoxy (EP) and Polyurethane (PU) flooring are mostly used for industrial flooring around the world.

Epoxy floor systems are commonly used in heavy-duty industries, warehouses, logistics and heavy-duty general manufacturing. Whenever there are operations that involve heavy vehicle movements, for instance, forklifts, Epoxy floor coatings are considered.

Industrial flooring: What is the difference between Epoxy and Polyurethane

Jan 6, 2021, 03:32 by Cynthia Chong

Epoxy (EP) and Polyurethane (PU) flooring are mostly used for industrial flooring around the world.

Epoxy floor systems are commonly used in heavy-duty industries, warehouses, logistics and heavy-duty general manufacturing. Whenever there are operations that involve heavy vehicle movements, for instance, forklifts, Epoxy floor coatings are considered.

Industrial flooring: What is the difference between Epoxy and Polyurethane

Jan 6, 2021, 03:32 by Cynthia Chong

Epoxy (EP) and Polyurethane (PU) flooring are mostly used for industrial flooring around the world.

Epoxy floor systems are commonly used in heavy-duty industries, warehouses, logistics and heavy-duty general manufacturing. Whenever there are operations that involve heavy vehicle movements, for instance, forklifts, Epoxy floor coatings are considered.

Industrial flooring: What is the difference between Epoxy and Polyurethane

Jan 6, 2021, 03:32 by Cynthia Chong

Epoxy (EP) and Polyurethane (PU) flooring are mostly used for industrial flooring around the world.

Epoxy floor systems are commonly used in heavy-duty industries, warehouses, logistics and heavy-duty general manufacturing. Whenever there are operations that involve heavy vehicle movements, for instance, forklifts, Epoxy floor coatings are considered.

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