Polyurea Applications and Markets
Polyurea applications combine remarkable technology with a range of uses limited only by your imagination. In fact, even though the list below is large, it still doesn’t cover everything. As with any coating system, proper surface preparation, correct application equipment, techniques, and the use of compatible primers are required for success.
- Architects, engineers, specifiers, and contractors use polyurea in multiple markets successfully around the globe.
- Polyurea is more durable than paint. Plus it lasts longer between maintenance cycles.
- Polyurea is the best choice when it comes to cost/performance payback and operation.
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Aquarium Lining
Aquariums have found major benefits with polyurea linings. The ability to form to properly prepared, custom-shaped walls and themed ornaments make this system very desirable. A spray-applied, water-resistant liner, available in a variety of colors with rapid return-to-service installation is why aquarium facility owners are turning to Polyurea.
Architectural Design
Polyurea has much the same uses in architectural design as it does in theme park applications. Polyurea is used as a protective coating over foam, EPS and other structures to create ornamental building fascia, themed characters, artificial rocks, pools and environments. Furthermore, set designers and theater stage designers have found many uses for polyurea as well.
Automotive Fascia OEM Molded Parts
Polyurea can be spray, open-pour, or reaction-injected into molds. Consequently, automotive fascia parts molded from polyurea RIM systems are beginning to become standard. Additionally, many spray-in-mold uses are becoming popular in replacing parts commonly made from fiberglass. Water park chutes, plaques, automotive aftermarket fascia and spoilers, architectural decorative molding, and more.
Bridge Coating
Polyurea’s ability to fight off corrosion and outlast paint is a major reason these systems are being specified for bridge deck and structure coating by State DOTs around the nation. The most common applications of polyurea coatings on bridges are over steel and concrete.
Flooring and Parking Decks
Polyurea flooring systems are most popular for their rapid turnaround installation capabilities. Other benefits are available with polyurea flooring systems as well. Polyureas are very durable and great for use in areas of high traffic. Clean/dirty rooms use them as a waterproofing and protective coating for daily pressure cleaning operations. Manufacturers formulate some polyureas to be flexible and resilient, which allows the flooring system to protect objects that may fall upon them.
Fuel Storage & Containment
Polyurea is resistant to many fuels and chemicals. Fuel pits and pipeline secondary containment applications commonly use polyurea. However, some chemicals will damage polyurea. Always perform the necessary compatibility tests and surface preparation.
Joint Fill / Caulk
Polyurea is a multi-purpose joint fill, caulking and sealant material. It provides a flexible, durable, weather-tight and traffic resistant seal for all types of building joints, such as expansion joints and control joints in masonry floors, perimeter joints, panels and doors, water reservoirs, etc. Additionally, It has excellent crack-bridging properties with high elongation and tensile strength. The fast cure time and insensitivity to moisture allows for a quicker installation with a wider application window. Proper surface preparation and substrate condition is always necessary.
Landscape & Water Containment
Landscape designers and contractors have found similar benefits with polyurea. Many projects use polyurea to contain water for ponds and pool decorations to form a primary containment liner. Use of geo-textile material is common when applying polyurea over dirt. Proper surface condition is vital when applying over concrete and most other substrates.
Line Striping
Polyurea is ideal for use in line striping and pavement marking. It cures quickly (nearly instantly). Thus, it often returns areas to service for traffic and pedestrian use only a few minutes after application, depending on the formulation.
Manhole & Sewer Linings
Polyurea manhole lining is a rapidly growing market. This is due to polyurea’s ability to solve many current issues with groundwater infiltration and installation speed. Many municipal and private water systems are in great need of lining and structural repair. With proper surface preparation and substrate conditions, primers and Polyurea applies quickly. This returns the cavity to service faster than most competitive systems. Polyurea’s ability to form a monolithic, durable liner protects the cavity from sediment. Similarly, it blocks groundwater infiltration into municipal wastewater systems.
Marine
Above the water line and below, Polyurea can be very effective in protecting steel, aluminum, and fiberglass in a variety of water sport and commercial marine applications. From sound attenuation for fishing canoes, to fish hold liners, to hull protection and bilge liners, polyureas excel in many abrasion, chemical and corrosion resistant marine applications.
Pipe / Pipeline Coatings & Linings
Steel/metal pipes and pipelines increasingly use polyurea to protect from corrosion. Polyurea technology outperforms paint in nearly every measurable way. Therefore, facility owners enjoy reduced maintenance services and costs. Polyurea is a great protective coating system for pipes that are insulated with polyurethane foam. Many projects use polyurea to line the inside of water and sewer pipes for infrastructure rehabilitation work.
Railcar Lining & Track Containment
Liquid containment railcars use polyurea for its waterproofing and chemical resistance benefits. Hopper-style rail cars benefit from the strength of polyurea and its ability to resist abrasion. These cars often carry coal, sand, and other abrasive materials. Polyurea applies quickly and will last longer than many other conventional systems if properly applied.
Roof Coating
Polyurea coatings make an excellent protective covering for polyurethane foam roofs. Some manufacturers formulate their polyureas to meet specific performance requirements. There are systems which have the “Cool Roof” ENERGY STAR® rating for color and reflectivity. These reflective coatings can help reduce the amount energy consumption buildings use for heating and cooling. The fast cure time and insensitivity to moisture allows for a quicker installation with a wider application window. Proper surface preparation and substrate condition is always necessary.
Spray Molding
The use of Polyureas for spray in mold processes are gaining momentum with the advent of low output spray guns. Polyureas have very fast reaction times and are meter mixed and dispensed through plural component equipment. These materials are dry to the touch within seconds after application reducing de-molding time dramatically. Physical properties of these materials can be altered by the system formulator to meet application requirements.
Tank Coatings
Polyurea coatings protect steel tanks from corrosion, chemicals, and other natural weather and jobsite elements. With proper surface preparation, substrate condition, formulation choice, primers, and installation procedures, Polyurea goes on fast and stays on long. Polyureas are great for extending the life of older tanks and can offer limited structural characteristics as well. Some tank manufacturers apply polyurea during primary construction. However, often tank owners ask contractors to apply polyurea in a retrofit environment. Polyurea minimizes downtime compared to most materials with its rapid cure time, making it ideal for retrofit.
Tank Linings
Polyurea linings are resistant to many chemicals and industrial liquids. With their fast application advantages and ability to adhere to properly prepared substrates, polyureas are ideal for new storage tank primary lining and rehabilitation projects.
Theme Park & Decorative Design
Theme Parks often use polyurea as a protective coating over foam, EPS and other structures to create ornamental building fascia, themed characters, artificial rocks, pools and environments.
Truck Bed Liners
Polyurea truck bed liners form durable, water and air-tight, permanent liner for the exterior of pick up trucks, dump trucks and steel containers. These durable, easy to clean and abrasion resistant liners protect utility trucks from their harsh duty environments. They also protect against rust and corrosion from damaging trucks and containers. Installers apply in varied thickness to meet any specific application demand. Sprayed on truck bed liners come in many colors and wrap over the top edge of the truck bed, providing added protection from impact and abrasion.
Wastewater Treatment Linings
Fast cure, chemical and abrasion resistant, concrete primary and secondary containment linings. Above all, polyurea outperforms traditional coatings in wastewater treatment plants. It’s easy to apply, and quick to reach full cure. Finally, some formulations resist UV light used to kill bacteria.
Water Parks & Playgrounds
Molded slides, protective coating of seats for wet/dry amusement rides, tank linings, water containment, aquariums, and concrete stadium seats are just a few of the many applications polyureas are commonly used for in the amusement and theme park industry. Polyurea’s usage is rapidly growing in applications to replace paint and fiberglass due its fast cure and ability to reduce maintenance cycles.
Your protective coatings specialists.
Polyurea Systems
12461 Creekside Drive
Largo, FL 33773