TFT Epoxies (UK) Limited -- FAQ

Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions page. This is where you will find the answers to frequently asked questions about TFT Epoxies (UK) Limited, its products, applications, etc.

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*QUESTIONS:*		*ANSWERS:*
1. What do you recommend for coating a wooden table that could have water spilled on it? The water may be wiped up or it could just dry there.		We would recommend BIO-SEAL 196. This is a solvent-free clear epoxy coating with excellent chemical and physical resistance properties. Prepare the table surface by sanding and/or staining then simply apply the BIO-SEAL 196 in at least two coats. For a flawless gloss finish wet sand the first coat using 100 mesh wet-or-dry carborundum paper after it has cured at least 24 hours. Dry thoroughly then apply the second coat for a brilliant finish - protect from falling dust during curing. Dampening the floor and moving slowly around the work area helps avoid raising dust.
2. What product would you recommend to place over concrete slab-on-grade beneath resilient sheet flooring (vinyl or rubber) in a basement or on a ground floor of a building that is exhibiting anhydrous calcium chloride test readings in excess of the allowable 3.0 lbs per 1000 sq. ft. per 24 hours?		Use BIO-FLOR 182 applied over shot-blasted concrete using Blastrac® or similar centrifugal equipment.
3. What Nuclear Coatings codes requirements are met by your coatings?		BIO-GARD 251 and BIO-DUR 561 were DBA-tested against the 340' BWR curve of ASTM D-3911. Test Panels received a dose rate of 2.2 x 10⁶rads /hour for a total dose of 1.1 x 10⁹ rads. Both coatings passed with BIO-DUR 561 being noted as "Best Material of All Tested" within the cohort of the nine subjects selected from the initial 35 candidates.
4. Why is it so important to thoroughly mix coatings formulated with 100% solids?		The base and curing agent from which these products are formulated contain liquid resins which must come together and react chemically in order to become a solid protective film. If either the base or cure component is applied in an unmixed condition, the chemical reaction never takes place so they are likely to remain as sticky liquids for years in the future.
5. Why is it that some competitor's "100% solids" or "solvent-free" epoxy coatings have a strong offensive odour?		Reactive diluants or special solvents containing a reactive epoxy grouping are often used to reduce the viscosity of 100% solids coatings. Their epoxy group makes them react into the polymer matrix so even though they are "solvents" which reduce viscosity, they ultimately react into the film and remain there without evaporating. Some reactive diluants are very volatile before reaction and have strong odours. TFT utilizes low volatility reactive diluants with essentially no odour. TFT products have such low odours that they may safely be used in schools, hospitals, and workplaces with sensitive personnel.