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Trial Number 25

Client Number 244

Project Number 1

Trial Purpose:

To evaluate rolling load resistance for sealer and coating combined.

Date Run:

09/15/2005

Experiment Procedure:

Control of Moisture Content and Temperature
The moisture content at the time of testing will influence results due to the hydroscopic nature of the base materials. Therefore, efforts must be taken to ensure that the moisture content and temperature remain constant during the evaluation period. Ideally, the sample floor should be kept at 65+/-1% relative humidity and 68+/-6 F.

During laboratory testing, conditions were slightly drier, 40% relative humidity, but the temperature was within the given temperature range ~70 F).

Sample Preparation
The flooring material supplied was Hardwood flooring made from Red Oak. The boards were ¾” thick, 2 ¼” wide and cut into 8” sections. Some pieces of the flooring had to be sanded prior to making initial thickness readings to remove residual packing tape adhesive. With the boards cut into 8” coupons, three readings were made using a Brown & Sharpe Micrometer to measure each coupons initial board thickness. Each reading was made to 0.001” and the three values were averaged to give a baseline thickness for the coupons. In addition to the thickness baseline, baselines were established for Gloss, Coefficient of Friction, Impact, Small Area Loads. Procedures for each baseline measurements followed the procedures to be outlined.

Following the establishment of the baselines, three coupons were coated with a supplied floor finish according to the manufacturers’ specifications. The finish was applied using a 1” Pure Bristle 1500 paint brush. To ensure consistent coating application, the finish was leveled off using a 10 mils Precision Gage & Tool Co Dow Film Caster. Three coats were used for each floor finish as this was common number of coating layers suggested by the various manufacturers. Each coating layer was allowed to dry for 2 hours prior to the application of the next coat. Completed coupons were allowed to sit for a minimum period of 24 hours before performance evaluations were conducted.

Rolling Load
Measurements made during the rolling load will reveal damage to the coupon surface from repeated rolling forces, simulating heavy castored loads such as beds, desks and appliances. Coupons were placed into a holding device and clamped to restrict movement of the coupon. A load sled was constructed using a wood plank and three castor wheels. The round, hard wheels were 2” in diameter and 1” wide. The sled was loaded with 200 pounds.

Ten passes (5 cycles) were completed and the three measurements were made along the path of the sled wheel. An additional 15 passes were made with three more measurements made. Following the 25 passes, another 25 passes were made with the deformation measurements. The averages for the three sets of passes were calculated. Any notable surface changes were recorded. The results for each floor finish were compared to the other finishes.

Trial Results:

Coupon # passes Middle End 1 End 2 Ave Microm Middle End 1 End 2 Ave Microm
G 10 7.657 7.636 7.596 7.630 7.590 7.593 7.500 7.561
  25         7.541 7.569 7.482 7.531
  50         7.534 7.553 7.401 7.496
H 10 7.618 7.595 7.639 7.617 7.569 7.580 7.578 7.576
  25         7.559 7.585 7.562 7.569
  50         7.523 7.560 7.542 7.542
I 10 7.585 7.606 7.592 7.594 7.580 7.581 7.584 7.582
  25         7.562 7.578 7.564 7.568
  50         7.537 7.553 7.561 7.550

Initial calculations of the rolling load resistance were recalculated with correct formula resulting in the following values for all products tested.

Floor Coating 10 25 50 Total Depression Depth
Polyurethane Gloss 0.083 0.147 0.195 0.195 11
WB Polyurethane 0.019 0.038 0.046 0.046 2
WB Sanding Sealer 0.011 0.019 0.030 0.030 1
Aqua Deva Metro 0.058 0.088 0.087 0.087 7
Hydro 202 Satin 0.058 0.088 0.074 0.074 4
SafeCoat Satin 0.041 0.075 0.094 0.094 8
SafeCoat Gloss 0.078 0.100 0.192 0.192 10
Kiilto 0.072 0.105 0.146 0.146 9
Kiilto w/Primer 0.013 0.038 0.058 0.058 4
Pro Finisher Water Based Sanding Sealer & Polyurethane 0.041 0.058 0.084 0.084 5

Success Rating:

A follow up test, usually based on company input.

Conclusion:

The sealer and coating performed lower than the two individual components.

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