POLYABRES
POLYABRES is a ready to use ‘Dry
Shake’ type product and provides abrasion resisting surfaces of floors etc. Constituted
of synthetic or natural aggregates, it improves the long-term wear resistance
of surfaces like floors, treads of staircases, garden paths or any area that
has to withstand abrasion. It also provides improved slip-resistance.
POLYABRES is formulated out of
select cementitious binder, with added polymeric property enhancers and tested
aggregates with proven hardness. Applied on concrete surfaces, it provides good
wear and good abrasion resistant properties.
Abrasion Resistance
Abrasion Resistance is a
property of concrete which depends on the type of aggregates. The harder the
aggregates, greater is the abrasion resistance. For convenience Geologists have
a scale of “Hardness” known as MOH’s scale. The scale is as follows:
Mineral
|
No.
|
Mineral
|
No.
|
Talc
|
1
|
Feldspav
|
6
|
Gypsum
|
2
|
Quartz
|
7
|
Calcite
|
3
|
Garnet
|
8
|
Fluorspar
|
4
|
Corundum
|
9
|
Apatite
|
5
|
Diamond
|
10
|
Although the scale is based on
minerals, the hardness of rocks can be judged relatively by comparing its
scratch resistance level vis-Ã -vis a mineral. Granite has a hardness that can
range from 5 to 7 depending on its constitution. Naturally occurring minerals
are used as abrasives but nowdays many synthetic materials are made to match
the hardness of minerals above 8. Such materials are used as abrasives and can
include oxides of alumina, silicon carbide etc.
Advantages
POLYABRES when incorporated
onto concrete surfaces results in the following properties of the surface.
·
Excellent abrasion resistance, hard wearing
·
Non-slip and non-skid, inspite of oil spillage
·
Suitable for interior and exterior use
·
Good impact resistance
·
Harmless to humans
·
Non-rusting
·
Resistant to mineral oils
·
Non-combustible
·
Waterproof and water resistant
·
Improves service life
Uses
·
Factory floors
·
Storage areas
·
Garages
·
Railways station platforms
·
Public areas subject to large people movement
·
Civil structures – Dams, spillways etc.
·
Both old and new floors
Instruction for use
POLYABRES is simple to use and
requires to be applied on fresh concrete only. In case of old floors, a
levelling screed of cement mortar 25 mm thick (average) has to be first
provided, as per normal practice. (This screed has to be bonded to the base
concrete)
The time to apply POLYABRES is
when the base concrete or screed has set and any bleeding has stopped and the
fresh concrete surface is hard to allow light foot traffic.
At this stage, half the total
quantity of POLYABRES should be evenly spread on the concrete surface. This can
be done by taking some quantity on a sieve of 3 mm opening covered with a brown
paper having 10 mm punched holes. Once the material becomes uniformly dark by
the imbibition of water, then it can be floated by trowels.
Soon after floating the balance
POLYABRES should be spread at right angles to the first application and
similarly floated. Subsequently power trowels can be used for final finish. Proper
curing is essential. Foot traffic may permitted after 24 hours & other
traffic after one week.
Application Quantity
·
Dry shake application 1 kg per square meter
·
Mixed with topping
Heavy
Duty
|
6 – 9
kg/m2
|
Medium
Duty
|
4 – 6
kg/m2
|
Light
Duty
|
2.5 –
3.5 kg/m2
|
Note:
· The material can be mixed in the mixer along
with the floor topping and finished.
· For coloured floors POLYBRES in colours can
supplied. Check with manufacturer.
Properties
The abrasion resistance of
floors treated with POLYBRES may be evaluated as per ASTM C 418 or C 779. It is
seen that the wear compared to control will be very negligible.
The aggregates in POLYBRES have
a hardness of around 9.
Packing
25 kg bags
Shelf life
Twelve months when stored in
original closed pack.
