When it comes to industrial flooring, choosing the right material is crucial to ensuring durability, safety, and efficiency in high-traffic areas. Polyurethane, a versatile and robust polymer, stands out as one of the best choices for industrial floors, particularly in environments that experience heavy foot and vehicle traffic. Over the years, we have completed hundreds of projects with high-traffic environments, ranging from warehouses to manufacturing plants. In each of these, our polyurethane flooring solutions have proven to offer exceptional resistance to wear and tear, making them the ideal choice for high-stress industrial environments.
What is polyurethane flooring?
Polyurethane is a type of polymer that is widely used in various industries due to its excellent mechanical properties and adaptability. It is created by reacting a polyol with an isocyanate, which forms a strong, flexible material with exceptional resistance to impact, abrasion, and chemicals. Polyurethane coatings and screeds are particularly popular in industrial flooring because they offer a seamless, durable, and resilient surface that can withstand the rigours of heavy-duty operations.
Polyurethane flooring is ideally suited for environments where durability, hygiene, and safety are paramount. High-traffic industrial areas such as warehouses, factories, workshops, and chemical plants benefit immensely from the resilience and longevity that polyurethane provides. These environments often experience constant movement from forklifts, pallet trucks, and heavy machinery, all of which can cause significant wear on less durable flooring materials. Polyurethane, however, can handle this relentless traffic without compromising on performance.
Industries such as food production, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and heavy-duty plants also find polyurethane flooring solutions particularly advantageous. The ability of polyurethane to resist chemicals, extreme temperatures, and aggressive cleaning makes it ideal for environments where hygiene and cleanliness are critical. In addition, its seamless application ensures that there are no grout lines or joints, which can harbour dirt and bacteria.
The advantages of polyurethane flooring in high-traffic areas
Durability and wear resistance
Polyurethane flooring is renowned for its exceptional durability. It can withstand the constant pressure of heavy foot traffic, as well as the movement of vehicles and machinery, without showing signs of wear. This makes it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas where other materials may degrade over time.
Chemical and abrasion resistance
In industrial settings, floors are often exposed to harsh chemicals and abrasive materials. Polyurethane’s chemical resistance ensures that it remains unaffected by spills or exposure to aggressive substances, such as oils, solvents, and acids. Its abrasion resistance also protects against scratches and scuffs, maintaining a smooth and intact surface.
Flexibility and impact resistance
Unlike rigid flooring materials, polyurethane has a certain degree of flexibility, allowing it to absorb impacts and resist cracking under heavy loads. This makes it ideal for areas where forklifts and steel-wheeled trolleys are in use, as the floor can endure the impact without damage.
Seamless application
Polyurethane is applied as a liquid, creating a seamless surface that eliminates the need for grout lines or joints. This not only enhances the floor’s appearance but also prevents dirt and bacteria from accumulating in cracks and crevices, making it easier to clean and maintain.
Thermal shock resistance
For environments subjected to fluctuating temperatures, such as industrial kitchens and food processing plants, polyurethane offers excellent thermal shock resistance. It can withstand extreme temperature changes without cracking or delaminating, ensuring long-lasting performance in demanding environments.
Easy maintenance
One of the key advantages of polyurethane flooring is its low maintenance requirements. The surface is easy to clean and does not require frequent repairs or recoating. This not only reduces maintenance costs but also minimises downtime in busy industrial settings.
Polyurethane flooring solutions from Robex
At Robex, we offer a range of high-performance polyurethane flooring solutions that are designed to meet the specific needs of industrial environments. Our products provide exceptional durability, chemical resistance, and ease of maintenance, making them ideal for high-traffic areas.
RX Toughseal
RX Toughseal is a polyurethane protective floor coating that provides maximum strength and a long-lasting high-gloss finish for heavy traffic areas. It is particularly well-suited for concrete surfaces, offering resistance against a wide range of aggressive exposures. RX Toughseal is ideal for warehouses, factories, workshops, chemical plants, plant rooms, and battery charging areas. It is impervious to a wide range of contaminants, easy to clean and maintain, and provides excellent rolling load assistance, making it ideal for use with forklifts and steel-wheeled trolleys. The impact resistance and durability of RX Toughseal make it a go-to solution for industrial floors that require tremendous flexibility and abrasion resistance.
RX PU 6290
RX PU 6290 is a high-strength polyurethane screed designed to withstand heavy-duty use in industrial environments. This screed offers fantastic thermal shock resistance, making it perfect for applications in industrial kitchens, breweries, food production facilities, and processing plants. RX PU 6290 also boasts incredible abrasion and chemical resistance, ensuring that it remains resilient even in the most demanding environments. Its seamless finish, absence of grout or joints, and ability to withstand aggressive cleaning make it a top choice for industries where hygiene and durability are essential. Depending on the application and site conditions, RX PU 6290 is recommended to be applied at a thickness of 6-9mm.
RX Floorguard P2000
Robex Floorguard P2000 is a heavy to medium duty, flow-applied smooth flooring system based on polyurethane technology. It provides excellent resistance to abrasion, chemical attack, and physical aggression, making it perfect for industrial settings. Floorguard P2000 is volatile-free during and after application, so work can continue in adjacent areas without fear of contamination. Formulated to achieve maximum strength within minimal time, this flooring system minimises disruption to your production cycle. Unlike concrete surfaces that dust when worn, Robex Floorguard P2000 creates an impervious, hard-wearing finish that stands the test of time.
Polyurethane flooring solutions offer unparalleled benefits for high-traffic industrial areas. Its durability, flexibility, and resistance to chemicals, temperature extremes, and abrasion make it a superior choice for demanding environments. Whether you’re looking for a protective floor coating, a high-strength screed, or a flow-applied system, Robex has the right polyurethane solution to meet your needs. Our signature products, RX Toughseal, RX PU 6290, and RX Floorguard P2000, are designed to provide long-lasting performance and reliability, ensuring that your industrial floors can withstand the challenges of heavy-duty operations. If you would like more information about our products or would like to request a site quote, please email info@robex.co.za.
