The use of plant resins is very ancient. Documents show that they were already used in ancient Greece , ancient Rome, throughout the Middle East and in India.
The resin of different types of shrubs and trees was commonly used to waterproof boats and anything that came into contact with water, as well as to waterproof homes. Frankincense and myrrh are also resins that were once valued throughout the world, especially in ancient Egypt. These were highly prized and sought-after substances, especially because they were used as essential elements in many religious rituals.
The word “resin” comes from the Latin “resin”, which is derived from or related to the Greek word “rhetìne”. The origin of the term is unknown and is probably not of Indo-European origin.
With the advancement of science and the simultaneous advent of the industrial age, many materials found in nature have been reproduced in the laboratory, resin being one such material.
It was mainly from the 1950s that synthetic resin began to be used in construction, first for paneling and piping, then for flooring and, later, for interior cladding. The possibility of synthetically reproducing the advantages of natural resins at low cost made synthetic resin a very competitive product that not only offered a high level of quality, but also opened up new application scenarios on the market.
Today, resin can be used for floors in shops, offices, laboratories, warehouses, industrial floors of all kinds (pharmaceutical, automotive, workshops, large-scale production), sanitary and sports facilities and even private homes. The possibilities for applying resin floors are almost endless. In the construction sector, it is not vegetable resins but synthetic resins that are used, let’s see which ones.
The different types of resin for flooring manufacturing
Resins used in the construction sector are divided into the following categories:
- Acrylic resin
- Polyurethane resin
- Epoxy resin
- Methacrylate resin;
- Polyurethane cement resin.
Acrylic resin
Acrylic resin offers greater resistance to weather conditions, which is why it is preferred over other types of resin for outdoor flooring. Other characteristics of this type of resin are its high resistance to heat and flames. It is permeable to air and resistant to mold. It is also a type of resin that lends itself to application on many types of substrates such as wood, metal or even fabric surfaces.
Polyurethane resin
The main characteristic of this resin is its resistance to long-term use and ultraviolet (UV) rays. This is why it is particularly suitable for sports facilities, busy places and places exposed to direct sunlight.
In return for greater resistance, polyurethane floor resin also requires longer drying times. You will have to wait about a week before obtaining the final result.
Epoxy resin
It is the most widely used resin for floors in environments where a high level of hygiene is required, such as medical laboratories, clinical analysis laboratories, hospitals, pharmaceutical industries, canteens, etc. It is naturally dustproof.
Its only drawback is that it requires installation at low temperatures, below 20 degrees, which must be taken into account when planning the work.
Methacrylate resin
It is the resin that offers the fastest drying time (about one hour), has good wear resistance and allows for the creation of a thick resin floor.
Polyurethane cement resin
This type of resin has characteristics such as high resistance to temperature changes, chemicals and aggressive products in general, wear and shock. It is also resistant to high temperatures and the proliferation of bacteria. Thanks to all these characteristics and the very fast curing times, it is the choice par excellence for flooring in industrial complexes.
Resin: an excellent choice!
Whatever type of resin is suitable for your specific needs, choosing this material will guarantee you a functional, aesthetic result and, given the absence of joints, easy to clean and maintain.
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