Electra::ESD paint, ESD epoxy

Tech Tips on installation, grounding and conductivity of ESD Epoxy flooring

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ElectraGuard ESD epoxy is easy to apply BUT different conditions require modification of the basic installation procedure listed below. Although this product works well on a variety of substrates (including dry wall, VCT and other types of materials and flooring) the vast majority of installations are applied over concrete. Hence, the following notes apply directly to utilization on concrete. For other types of substrates give us a call at 719 676 3928. We're here to help! Preparation of the substrate is a critical component and probably the most time consuming portion of using the ElectraGuard. Take your time and be thorough! 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 small sample ElectraGuard containers, apply the material over the section you have prepared (a 6" x 6" area is all that's really needed) and 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 UltraStat Crete. 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. It's always best to pretest on an area that presents the worst profile for adhesion. CAUTION: Muriatic acid concrete enchants 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 UltraStat Crete,, 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. 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. 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 7.5 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 1 ground connection for every 1,500 SF. More grounding attachments will not raise the conductivity of your flooring system. See details

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 ft² 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. This product is not recommended for applications that experience reoccurring standing water. 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. Testing of ElectraGuard 's Conductivity is typically accomplished 72 hours after final coat has been applied. Typical testing is accomplished via EOS/ESD test method 7.1. Accurate representations of your floor's conductivity may be ascertained prior to full scale application by electrically testing sample installed for bond strength test. 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.