Flooring materials

Most flooring materials are conventionally prepared from poly-(vinyl chloride) (PVC). This material usually contains more than 30% of phthalate plasticizers to produce sufficient flexibility and impact strength. 

Alternative sheet flooring materials prepared from the poly(lac-tide) based composites have been described (1). The polymeric material can include 30-50% of PVC, polyfethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(glycoUde), ethylene vinyl acetate, polycarbonate, poly(capro-lactone) (PCL), poly(/S-hydroxyalkanoate)s, or ionomer modified polyolefins. 

A plasticizer and a compatibilizer are used. As a plasticizer, an epoxidized vegetable oil or esterified and epoxidized vegetable oil is used an amount of 10-50%. Very effective is acetyl tributyl citrate. 

As a compatibilizer, a polyolefin modified with polar functional groups, in an amount of between 5-10% may be added. 

Other additives that can be included in the pol5nneric material include dyes, inks, antioxidant. An antistatic characteristics is also be important for some applications. Many antistatic additives are compoimds with hydrophilic and hydrophobic sections. A common material of this type is a mono ester of a polyol, such as glycerol, with a long-chain fatty acid, such as stearic acid. In Table 10.1 some common inorganic fillers are listed. 

An accomplished architect once recommended a certain type of rubber tile for a laboratory floor because his data indicated its superior resistance to acids. He had not bothered to find out whether or not acid spills would be a problem in this case. They would not, in fact. Solvent spills, on the other hand, were quite likely to occur, and the recommended tile had poor solvent resistance. This example illustrates two things the importance of the laboratory operator s involvement with details that are sometimes overlooked even by experts, and the need to study each laboratory s requirements individually. 

There is no flooring available with perfect resistance to chemi- 

When vinyl is chosen for laboratory floor use, the heavier commercial grade is recommended over the thinner material often used in homes. The cushioned type, while easier to walk on, does not have sufficient ability to withstand laboratory wear and tear. Neither does the no-wax type. Good maintenance should include regular waxing, which will greatly increase the ability of any flooring to resist damage from wear and from chemical spills. 

Sheet vinyl is best installed by professionals, whereas tiles can be laid by amateurs if instructions are followed carefully. Sheet flooring is usually considered more attractive and easier to maintain. It has few seams to open up in time and become dirt catchers or entrance points for moisture. In some materials, seams can be welded by heat, thus forming a permanent seal. Others will in time require additional sealer. Tiles, on the other hand, can be laid with less waste and also have the advantage of being replaceable if damaged. Whichever type is chosen, a supply of extra tiles or a few scraps of sheet flooring should be kept for possible future repairs. 

---

Before selecting a flooring material, it is imperative to consider carefully the precise service conditions to which the floor will be subjected. Conditions that must be considered include ... 

The range of special flooring materials available is very wide and, to many, extremely confusing. Specifiers, however, will find that if they carefully list all the service requirements for the flooring, members should be able to recommend and apply suitable products for most service conditions. 

A great variety of PVC materials have been tested in the process thus far cable, cable trays, flooring material, window frames, artificial leather, packaging, pipes, flexible hoses, ring binders and roofing material. This indicates that the process is robust and can handle a broad range of PVC materials. In terms of chlorine content, there are no restrictions. With the completion of the pretreatment pilot plant, the contents of other plastics and metals may now be reduced significantly. 

The other usual flooring materials (wood, ceramic tile, etc.) are rarely seen in laboratories. Planners should be aware, however, of new developments in this field and investigate them with the same question in mind How will this material resist the chemicals to be used in this particular laboratory ... 

Jonsson, A., A. M. Tillman, and T. Svensson (1997) Life cycle assessment of flooring materials Case study. Building and Environment vol. 32, no. 3, p. 245-255... 

Figure 3 shows the end uses, arranged in categories, of the PVC produced in the United States (5). About 35% of the PVC resin is extruded into pipe, complex forms, or flat sheets. Another 32% is calendered into film and flooring materials. About 12% is injection-molded or blow-molded into packages, records, and other forms a lesser amount is coated onto paper or fabric. Approximately 4% is exported. It is easy to see how the demand for this extraordinarily versatile material would stimulate great interest in its production. 

The Frick-Taber63 test is a modified Taber, in which loose abradant is introduced between wheel and test piece, used particularly in the evaluation of flooring materials. It is specified in EN 660-264. 

Figure 8.1 Non-correlation of TVOC emission and odor intensity of a flooring material.

But research over the past ten years reveals that in most cases there is no direct correlation between VOCs measured by routine emission tests and odor active compounds (Mayer and Breuer, 2000 Knudsen et al., 1999 Salthammer et al., 2004). Figure 8.1 shows an example of the time-dependent TVOC values of a flooring material in comparison to odor intensity scores (see later). 

Bluyssen, P.M., Cochet, C., Fischer, M., Knoppel, H., Levy, L., Lundgren, B., Maroni, M., Molhave, L., Rothweiler, H., Saarela, K. and Seifert, B. (1997) Evaluation of VOC emissions from building products, solid flooring materials. European Commission, Joint Research Centre JRC, Ispra, Italy Report No. 18, pp. 1-108. 

Hartzell, G. Development of a Radiant Panel Test for Flooring Materials. NBSIR 74-495, National Bureau of Standards Washington, DC, 1974. 

Measurement of flame spread under external heat flux is necessary where the thermal radiation is likely to impinge on the textile materials, for example, the flooring material of the building or transport vehicles whose upper surfaces are heated by flames or hot gases, or both. The French test method, NF P 92-503 Bruleur Electrique or M test involves radiant panel for testing flame spread of flexible textile materials. This test method (flame spread under external heat flux) is the basis of that used by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) for assessing flammability of textile composites used in thermal/acoustic insulation materials (FAR 25.856 (a)) used in aircraft and has also been included by the EU for fire test approval of floorings such as prEN ISO 9239 and BS ISO 4589-1. 

---