Polymeric floors: suitability

Acrylates are primarily used to prepare emulsion and solution polymers. The emulsion polymerization process provides high yields of polymers in a form suitable for a variety of applications. Acrylate emulsions are nsed in the preparation of both interioi and exterior paints, floor polishes, and adhesives. Solution polymers of aciylates, frequently with minor concentrations of other monomers, are employed m the preparation of industrial coatings. Polymers of aciy hc acid can be used as superabsorbents in disposable diapers, as well as in formulation of superior, reduced-phosphate-level detergents. 

Polymeric overlays are used on concrete pavements to protect them from dust, excessive wear, cracking, crazing, spalling and to provide an attractive appearance. These materials are applied on concrete pavements in the form of screeds, self-levelling material or floor coatings. Epoxies, polyurethanes and acrylics are commonly used, epoxies being the most commonly chosen. Table 1.4 gives the suitability of these materials for different environments. 

Flax fibers have recently been investigated as reinforcement in polymeric foam matrices for current components used in the transportation industry (Fuqua et al. 2010). Despite the fact that plywood bus floorboards are chemically treated to prevent decay, they stUl require repeated replacement over the lifecycle of a transit vehicle (Vaidya et al. 2004). Mechanical testing of both flexural performance and fastener pullout capabilities of flax-fiber/soy-based PU foam composites demonstrated that they could serve as a suitable flooring replacement in mass transit vehicles. Stmctures ranging from 55% to 70% renewable material by weight with an inexpensive lower quality flax mat (i.e., 40% shive content and 60% fiber) could produce flexural strength comparable to pl3rwood with little environmental impact (Fuqua et al. 2010). 

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