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Prior to full
scale usage evaluate the bond strength of the material to the existing
slab. Test the slab for it's ability to absorb liquids.
Place a few drops of water on the cement and see if it absorbs into the
concrete, if the concrete is semi porous, unsealed and contaminate free
the water will soak in. If this is the case, more than likely you
will not have to pre-wash the substrate with Prepare (our muriatic acid
wash). Simply sweep (do not use any type of floor sweep compounds)
vacuum (to remove dust from pours and damp mop prior to applying the
ElectraGuard. Even if your substrate looks perfect it's always
best to pre-test. Utilizing one of our
sample kits apply the material over the section you have prepared allow to cure for
48 hours. With a razor knife etch a 1" x 1" "tic-tac-toe" pattern
on the epoxy. Cover this pattern with standard masking tape, wait
5 minutes and quickly pull masking tape from pattern. Observe the
tape. When a good bond is achieved minimal material will be
removed with the tape. Remember, the bond strength of this
material will continue to improve for about a week. If your test area
appears sound and well bonded follow the preparation method used for the
test and proceed with full scale application as listed below. Note:
It's always best to pretest on an area that presents the worst profile
for adhesion.
If the above stated bond strength testing
fails dramatically, if the concrete does not readily absorb
water, is very old, extremely dusty, contaminated or oily (or if the
concrete appears extremely slick from the trowelling process) a muriatic
acid wash using muriatic acid is recommended. Most acid washes are
concentrated liquid containing Hydrochloric (Muriatic) Acid, detergents
and surfactants for use in preparing "problem" concrete, terrazzo,
unglazed stone or even ceramic tile flooring prior to coating with
ElectraGuard. When using over concrete, diluted muriatic acid
dissolves contaminates, opens pours and loosens cementious dust.
In addition acid washes chemically "abrades" (etches) substrates
providing a surface texture similar to a light sand blasting.
Careful use of the ANY muriatic acid is essential. Over
application, inconsistent application or leaving the product on the
substrate for too long can over etch the concrete. ElectraGuard
is a thin set epoxy, improper use of the muriatic acid washes and the
resulting over etched surface texture can "shadow through" the
ElectraGuard leaving a blotchy inconsistent look to the finished
product. Prior to full scale usage pre-test a small area via
the following method. Note: It's always best to pretest on an
area that presents the worst profile for adhesion.
CAUTION: Muriatic acid concrete
etchants are typically in a concentrated formulation, read the
directions carefully and dilute to the manufacturers recommendations. Safety glasses, gloves, and protective footwear should be worn at all
times during application. Provide for adequate ventilation of fumes
which may be generated during application.
General directions for muriatic acid
concrete etchants: Dilute etchants per manufacturers recommended guidelines
: Uniformly dampen the area to be etched with clean water. Apply a uniform
amount of the diluted solution to the concrete floor using a synthetic fiber
mop. Allow the solution to work for approximately 5 minutes or until white
foaming action ceases. NOTE: If no chemical reaction is observed, then there
is probably an existing coating on the floor which must be removed if
effective results from the use of this product are to be obtained.
Completely remove the etching solution, preferably with a wet vacuum. Rinse
the floor thoroughly with clean water. Mop or vacuum up the rinse water and
allow the floor to dry thoroughly. Thoroughly rinse all application
equipment with clean water. Utilizing a small sample container of
ElectraGuard apply the material over the section you have prepared (a 6" x 6"
area is all that's really needed). Allow to cure on the
substrate for 48 hours. With a razor knife etch a 1" x 1"
"tic-tac-toe" pattern on the epoxy. Cover with standard masking tape,
wait 5 minutes and quickly pull masking tape from pattern. Observe the
tape. When a good bond is achieved minimal material will be removed
with the tape. Remember, the bond strength of this material will
continue to improve for about a week. If your test area appears sound and
well bonded follow the preparation method used for the test and proceed with
full scale application as listed below. Note: A light abrasive
sandblasting or screen disking may substitute for the application of Prepare
but is typically not as cost effective . If an alternative "abrasive"
method is chosen pretest prior to full scale application to insure proper
shadow free and dust free profile is has been achieved
Note: Since this product
features a microscopically porous polymeric base it maintains an
excellent resistance to high concrete vapor emission levels and does not
(typically) require Cal-Chloride vapor emission testing. If your
slab emissions have caused flooring failures in the past or you suspect
emission levels higher than 5.0 lbs per 1000 sq/ft contact our technical
support hotline for recommendations.
Deviations in concrete may be filled utilizing a standard
latex modified Portland based patching compound but remember, the
variance in surface texture and profile may tend to shadow through the
finished epoxy coating. ElectraGuard bonds reasonably well to
latex based caulks and seam fillers (occasionally used to fill saw cuts
and expansion joint). Avoid ElectraGuard usage over rubber or
silicon based fillers and additives.
Grounding: Your ESD thin set
epoxy flooring system must be grounded to allow the electrostatic potential
to flow to ground. In many cases this grounding takes place when the
coating comes into contact with a steel column or any grounded portions of
you building superstructure. In the case where a reliable grounding
connection via the aforementioned method is in doubts utilize the following:
1) Locate AC power outlet. Remove
electrical face plate cover (typically plastic). Starting at location ½”
beneath the outlet run 2” wide aluminum foil tape down wall and onto floor
(about 2 or 3 inches). Note: for a great looking attachment cut any wall
base, peel back base and run strip behind re-glued base. 2) Run aluminum
foil strip (about 36” long piece) over pre-placed 2” aluminum section on
floor, parallel with wall.
3) cover this strip
with ElectraGuard ESD Epoxy. 4) Replace plastic AC electrical face plate
cover with metal face plate cover making sure metal face plate cover
contacts aluminum strip. Your floor is now grounded. Note: The ElectraGuard system only
requires 2 ground connection for small floors (under 3,000 sf) and one
additional ground for every 4,000 sf thereafter. More grounding attachments
will not raise the conductivity of your flooring system.
Prepare
the ElectraGuard carefully: Catalyzed ElectraGuard should be
used within six hours of mixing, therefore prepare only the quantity
necessary for immediate use. Add the pre-measured catalyst to
epoxy base. Stir gently until the catalyst has been thoroughly
mixed in (a low RPM drill may be used with a rotary mixing attachment but try to not beat air into
the material). Allow the catalyzed mixture to stand 5 minutes.
Utilizing a short nap roller or brush, carefully apply a thin uniform
coat of catalyzed ElectraGuard around perimeter walls, doorways etc
(about 6" width and try to not get any on walls ;) After perimeter
of room is completed utilize short nap rollers (18" wide with long
handle extensions work best) to roll a thin uniform coat through out the
remainder of the area. The initial coat will cover approximately 250 to
500 ft 2 per gallon. Allow the initial coat to dry for
5-7 hours or longer and apply a second coat. Second coat coverage
is approximately 500-600 ft2 per gallon. Application of second
coat is much faster. Finished floors may be opened to light traffic,
under normal curing conditions, after 12 hours. Complete curing with
maximum durability and chemical resistance will take 5-7 days.
NOTE: This product is not
recommended for applications that experience reoccurring standing water.
United ESD recommends the use of soft chair casters when rolling chairs
directly on this product. Soft chair casters look like standard
hard casters but have a rubberized coating on the wheel.
Testing
of ElectraGuard 's Conductivity
is typically accomplished 72 hours (minimum) after final coat has been
applied. Typical testing is accomplished via EOS/ESD test method
7.1. The following results are typical when installed on the vast
majority of cement substrates, however your conductivity may vary
somewhat depending on the conductivity of the existing concrete slab and
other conditions encountered in your installation (ambient humidity
etc). Note: Accurate representations of your floors
finished conductivity may be ascertained prior to full scale application
by electrically testing sample installed for bond strength test.
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A properly installed ElectraGuard Epoxy
Flooring System will
post very consistent Point to Point Electrical Resistivity readings allowing the
floor to comply with the latest specifications for even the most stringent
of static control applications. NOTE: This resistance range is
typical on concrete concrete surfaces. If used to coat standard epoxy
the electrical resistance will post much higher results, generally in
the mid to high static dissipative range. Coating the ElectraGuard with
topical layers of floor finish will slightly raise the insulative values
of the ElectraGuard.
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Bare,
unsealed concrete will post conductivity in both very conductive as well
as insulative (hot and cold) ranges. ElectraGuard smoothes out
these fluctuations and provides an ideal range of conductivity for
demanding static control environments. NOTE: This resistance range will
only occur if material is applied on concrete surfaces. If used
to coat standard epoxy the electrical resistance will post much higher
results, generally in the mid to high static dissipative range.
Maintenance
of our ElectraGuard ESD flooring system is a snap!
Simply remove abrasives via sweeping and damp mop as needed with water and
non film forming detergent. Stubborn scuff marks, oil, stains and
fluxes can be removed with
high grade aggressive esd floor cleaners with little to
no adverse reactions to the flooring surface.
Ultimate shine and luster
may be achieved by coating the ElectraGuard surface with
ElectraGlaze (ESD Floor Finish) and polishing with a rotary polisher equipped with fine
pad (occasionally) sprayed with a dilution
of ElectraGlaze.
Use of these products further enhances ease of cleaning and scuff removal
while providing an unsurpassed shine and luster Clients using these floor
maintenance solutions report a slight decrease in conductivity and a
REDUCTION in tribocharging.
ElectraGlaze may be applied to cured
ElectraGuard and NOT polished if a slip resistant (sealed) surface is
desirable.
Additional Notes:
ElectraGuard ESD Epoxy Floor Coating has a lower odor than any
other epoxy coating on the market but, adequate ventilation is
desirable. If opening bay doors for ventilation be sure to not allow
wind blown dust to contaminate the prepared area or the wet epoxy. Ultimate slip
resistance may be achieved by adding fine Aluminum Oxide sand blast grit to the
catalyzed mixture and blending well prior to application.
ElectraGuard
ESD Epoxy Main Page
ElectraGuard
ESD Epoxy MSDS Sheet
ElectraGlaze ESD Floor finish
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