Application of abe.®flo granular SL 2 mm granular coloured self-levelling epoxy flooring system
All the relevant product data sheets and MSDS’s are to be read for additional information i.e. pot life, mixing instructions, surface preparation, ventilation, temperature and application limitations, etc.
Surface Preparation
Surfaces must be clean, dry, mechanically sound, free of laitance, nibs, dust, grease and oil. The concrete surface should be lightly vacuum blast cleaned leaving an open uniform textured surface (with exposed aggregate).
Precautionary Notes:
- The substrate must be dry before application. Concrete moisture content tests must be conducted prior to application of the priming system. Maximum moisture content should be between 4 – 5%. Preferably make use of a Protimeter Survey Master or an equivalent; a Dynamic Calcium Chloride moisture “weight gain” over 24 hours or at least a practical overnight “plastic sheet test” (approximately 1 m² edges masked down onto the concrete surface).
- All blemishes in the surface such as pop-outs, omegas, blowholes and honeycombing should be patched with epidermix 201. This should be left overnight to cure and shall then be rendered smooth.
- Concrete substrate must have a minimum tensile strength of 1.5 N/mm2.
- For a smooth final finish, the surface profile, peak to valley, should not exceed 25% of the coating thickness.
Mixing
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Precautionary Notes:
When decanting base from bulk supply, thorough stirring must be accomplished beforehand.
Proper mixing and proportioning of the epoxy binder (base and activator), and filler is essential for good results.
Transfer pre-measured volume of flooring base resin to mixer. Add activator and homogenize. (abe.®cote flooring resin for priming).
When mixing the coloured granular aggregate, employ the same mixing process as above for priming, followed by the addition of the coloured aggregate to be thoroughly mixed at a slow speed to avoid air entrapment.
Application
Precautionary Notes:
Prevailing weather conditions must be taken into account otherwise surface defects can occur (see under “properties during application”).
Note: A slow speed mixer must be used. Ensure that the mixing vanes are below the surface of the mix to minimize air entrapment. The stirrer mixing vane configuration should be such as not to introduce unwanted aeration. Also, for this type of mixing, transferring the base/activator combination to a new container i.e. “re-mixing” will eliminate contamination due to unmixed base which is inclined to cling to the walls of the original container.
abe.®cote flooring resin will not cure if applied at below 10 °C.
System Process
- Priming – abe.®cote flooring resin clear (neat) should be applied by first pouring a bead of material in the form of a ribbon on the surface followed by brushing or rolling to obtain the required coverage rate (approximately 5 m2/L, the coverage rate will vary subject to surface profile and absorption rate). Do not leave the material in the container too long as it will set due to exothermic reaction and reduce the work life. Allow the primer to cure overnight.
- abe.®flo granular SL Mix – Mix the coloured granular aggregate (12 kg) + abe.®cote flooring resin clear (6.89 L – yields approximately 14.4 L) and apply it at a rate of 2.71 kg/m2 (2 mm thick = 2 L/m2) using a notched rake or trowel and allow the system to level out for approximately 3 minutes thereafter intensive spike rolling is mandatory in a cross wise fashion to release any entrapped air. Allow the system to cure overnight.
- Top Coating (abe.®cote PUD clear gloss) – The final two top coats of abe.®cote PUD clear gloss finish, should be applied by first pouring a bead of material in the form of a ribbon on the surface to be coated. Using a flat rubber squeegee, or a steel float, spread the poured material at a rate of approximately 16 m2/L per coat. Allow an overnight cure between coats. Apply the product as evenly as possible, working from left to right, and then back, followed by back rolling using a high quality mohair nap roller and allow the coating to cure overnight.