Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
264
The range of synthetic resin flooring products is shown
in
Table 29
.
In thin section, resin binders are isotropic and
identification of the resin type is difficult. Although it is
theoretically possible to differentiate resins micro-
scopically by differences in their refractive index,
identification would usually be conducted using an
appropriate chemical analysis technique (e.g. infrared
spectroscopy). Figure
264
shows a synthetic resin screed
flooring (type 6) which has a filler of fine quartz sand
and contains no pigment. Figure
265
shows a multilayer
synthetic resin floor covering (type 4) which has been
laid in three layers. The resin contains a pigment and
encapsulates a filler of fine quartz sand, which exhibits
settlement.
264
Synthetic resin floor covering (upper, white)
consisting of quartz sand filler particles bound by
transparent (nonpigmented) resin. This has been laid
on a sand:cement screed (lower, dark brown). Air
voids are shown yellow; PPT, ×35.
Table 29
Classification of synthetic resin flooring types (EFNARC, 2001)
Type*
Class
Details
1
Floor seal
Applied in two coats to give a dry film thickness up to 150 μm;
generally solvent- or water-borne
2
Floor coating
Applied in two or more coats at a dry film thickness up to 100 μm per
coat; generally solvent- free or water-bourne
3
High build floor coating
Applied in two or more coats to give a final thickness of 300-
1000 μm; generally solvent-free
4
Multi-layer flooring
Multiple layers of floor coatings or flow-applied floorings with
aggregate dressing, having a thickness >2 mm; often described as
'sandwich' systems
5
Flow applied flooring
Applied between 2 and 3 mm in thickness. Often referred to as 'self-
smoothing' or 'self-levelling' flooring, and having a smooth surface; or
may be given surface dressing
6
Screed flooring
Heavily filled, trowel-finished systems applied at a thickness
>4 mm, generally incorporating a surface seal coat to minimize
porosity
7
Heavy duty flowable
Aggregate filled and applied between 4 and 6 mm in thickness
flooring
and having a smooth surface; or may be given a surface dressing
8
Heavy duty screed
Trowel-finished, aggregate-filled system applied at a thickness of
flooring
*
6 mm or more and effectively impervious throughout its thickness
*
These categories are listed in ascending order of durability
