Without the necessary protection, chemical spills, impact damage, and weather can cause all kinds of damage to your surfaces. Implementing the right protective coating can protect your floors, roofs, equipment and more.
Selecting a coating that is suitable to you is an important decision as, although a lot of protective coatings can share similar uses, the differences are still worth considering when choosing your coating.
In this article, we will explore the major differences between polyurea and polyaspartic coatings.
What is polyurea?
Polyurea is a coating compound that is formulated using synthetic resin and reactive isocyanate materials. The result is a durable and flexible compound capable of protecting surfaces against corrosion, erosion, impact damage, and water.
In addition to chemical resistance, polyurea also displays resistance to abrasion, heavy impacts, and temperature changes. This strength and versatility make it suitable for a wide range of surfaces.
Although polyurea may boast high durability and many resistances, it is vulnerable to UV rays. This can lead to discolouration over time, even in mild circumstances. In situations where the UV rays are more intense, it can lead to breakages in the bonding and cracks may form in the coating.
Another advantage of polyurea is its fast curing time, touchable a few hours after application and fully cured after 24 hours, this makes it a preferable coating choice to many. There may be less room for error when applying but it allows you to work with or work on the newly coated surface much earlier than other applications.
Surfaces such as metals, concrete, plastics, and wood are all susceptible to damage at some point in their lifespan. Polyurea is capable of being applied to all of these, and more, extending their lifespans.
What is polyaspartic?
Polyaspartic coatings are commonly utilized in concrete flooring applications, bearing similarities to polyurea in multiple aspects. However, polyaspartic is a modified version of polyurea that addresses the limitations of the latter, particularly in terms of curing time.
Polyaspartic coatings require slightly more time to cure compared to polyurea coatings. This characteristic enables a more uniform application of the coating, as there is no concern about it drying out prematurely.
Due to its specialized formulation, polyaspartic exhibits superior UV resistance even when compared to UV-resistant polyurea coatings. When exposed to sunlight, polyaspartic coatings maintain their original colour, remaining free from cracks or weakening.
What is the difference between polyurea and polyaspartic?
Polyurea and polyaspartic compounds exhibit both similarities and differences. While not all polyurea is polyaspartic, all polyaspartic can be classified as polyurea. Let’s explore these compounds in a more coherent and concise manner, highlighting their additional differences.
Polyurea compounds, as a general classification, encompass polyaspartic compounds, which means they share several similarities. However, they also possess distinguishing characteristics. The key disparity lies in their molecular structures: polyurea compounds have ring-like structures, whereas polyaspartic compounds feature chain-like structures.
In addition to their structural dissimilarities, polyurea and polyaspartic compounds differ in their curing time. Polyurea typically cures rapidly, often within seconds or minutes, while polyaspartic compounds have a longer curing time, ranging from minutes to hours. Furthermore, polyaspartic coatings tend to exhibit enhanced UV stability compared to polyurea coatings, making them more suitable for outdoor applications where prolonged exposure to sunlight is expected.
Which is the best option for you?
When deciding between polyurea and polyaspartic compounds, it’s essential to consider your specific needs and requirements. While these compounds share structural similarities, they excel in different areas, making one option more suitable for certain applications than the other.
If your project involves concrete crack repair, liquid storage tanks, truck bed liners, or roofing, where fast curing is paramount, polyurea is your top choice. Its rapid curing properties ensure efficient results in these scenarios. On the other hand, if you’re working on wet rooms, concrete patios, garage floors, or industrial flooring, where exceptional UV resistance is vital, polyaspartic coatings prove highly beneficial.
In summary, determining the best option between polyurea and polyaspartic depends on the nature of your project. Assessing whether swift curing or superior UV resistance is more crucial will guide you toward making the most suitable choice.
Conclusion
When it comes to selecting the right protective coating for your surfaces, both polyurea and polyaspartic offer valuable benefits. Polyurea provides high durability, resistance to corrosion and impact damage, and versatility across various surfaces. However, it is susceptible to UV rays, which can cause discoloration and potential bonding issues. On the other hand, polyaspartic addresses these limitations by offering superior UV resistance, maintaining its colour and integrity even under prolonged sunlight exposure.
The choice between polyurea and polyaspartic ultimately depends on your specific project requirements. If fast curing is crucial, such as for concrete crack repair or roofing, polyurea’s rapid curing time makes it the preferred option. Conversely, if you prioritize exceptional UV resistance, particularly for wet rooms, concrete patios, or industrial flooring, polyaspartic coatings prove highly beneficial.
Considering the nature of your project and whether swift curing or superior UV resistance is more vital will guide you in selecting the most suitable option. Whether you opt for the durability of polyurea or the UV resistance of polyaspartic, both coatings provide effective protection for your surfaces against chemical spills, impact damage, and environmental factors.
