9th April 2019
Glass flake is an infinitely versatile material, with inherent stabilising properties that make a significant contribution to a diverse range of products, processes and industries worldwide. The application potential for this unique material extends to almost any product seeking to enhance strength, stability and durability.
Glassflake products are characterised as lamella structures, unlike granular fillers that are uniform in all dimensions, glassflake materials display very high aspect ratios and are manufactured in a wide range of nominal thicknesses and particle size distributions.
Glassflake products impart unique properties:
· In situ barrier to moisture vapour permeation
· Enhanced mechanical properties
· Excellent thermal properties
· High abrasion resistance
· Improved chemical resistance
*Recommended Grades: GF750M, GF007, GF300M, GF003
The performance enhancements provided by the use of glassflake in coatings lends naturally to the formulation of protective floor coatings. Properties such as enhanced moisture vapour control, improved abrasion resistance and chemical resistance are key characteristics that can be improved by the use of glassflake.
The high aspect ratio of glassflake, forming multiple layers in a coating, provide a drastic reduction in moisture vapour transmission through organic resins. This can be used to seal in green concrete or to protect the concrete in service from permeating moisture. The excellent chemical resistance of ECR-type composition glassflake provides protection to underlying substrate from all manner of harsh chemicals, either from cleaning or in spillage of processing materials. Given the high Moh’s hardness of glass flake, there is a reinforcement of all glassflake filled films against wear and marring over the lifespan of the floor.
Glassflake provides an excellent barrier to moisture, this effect is used extensively to control release of moisture from green concrete to an acceptable rate. The overlapping flakes of glass form an incomplete barrier to permeation, forcing moisture to take a tortuous path through the film. Once the film is cured over the concrete, work on other areas of the project can continue without damaging the concrete. Where lower diameter flake is used, the full reinforced coating film is able to penetrate the substrate pores and afford excellent adhesion to the concrete.
There is significant demand from manufacturers and warehouse owners to protect concrete floor assets from the potentially damaging chemicals being used. Typical applications for glassflake based coatings can be found in chemical processing plants, as well as facilities used by the food and beverage industries. The flake provides a barrier to permeation of concrete damaging chemicals, the flake itself is formed from a highly resistant ECR-type glass, formulated primarily to survive immersion in harsh chemicals within processing and storage tanks.
As a hard mineral additive, glassflake provides excellent reinforcement of flooring topcoats subjected to heavy foot and vehicle traffic, typically seen in production and warehousing facilities. The hardness of the glass, around 5.5 on the Mohs scale, provides excellent resistance to scratches and abrasion – with smaller diameter flakes this can be used to maintain a high gloss surface over time. The polymer matrix within the topcoat film is reinforced by the high surface of the glassflake, providing excellent dimensional stability across a range of working temperatures.
If you would like to find out more about how Glassflake can be used in floor coatings, contact a member of our team here.
Business Development Manager for Glassflake Ltd, since 2017. Coverage of Europe and The Americas in all key markets of coatings, composites and inks. Special interest in Additive Manufacturing.
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