Abrasion Resistance

Summary

Abrasion Resistance - The ability of the floor surface to withstand the abrasion produced by long term use of the floor.

Technical Information

Wear, which is the removal of surface material, is a process of displacement and detachment of particles or fragments from the surface. Abrasion mechanisms are complex and combinations of different actions can occur in many environments – for example, from truck tyres, foot traffic, scraping and impact. Excessive and early wear can be caused by the use of under-specified or non-compliant concrete or water damage at the construction stage.

In normal warehouse working conditions, poor abrasion resistance is rarely a problem for a typical power-trowelled and well-cured floor using concrete strength class C35/40. Lower concrete strength classes may require a dry-shake topping to achieve adequate abrasion resistance.

A test to measure the abrasion resistance of a floor surface is described in EN 13892-4. The minimum age of test is not noted but the concrete must have developed its required strength, i.e. a minimum of 28 days is considered sensible. It is suggested that a sampling rate of 1 test per 2000m2 (3 minimum) is adequate. The maximum limit of abrasion should be 0.20mm.

If a floor is to be tested, it should be noted that the resin-based curing compounds create a layer or “skin” on the surface that can be impenetrable to the abrasion test machine.

Inadequate abrasion resistance in service can be improved by surface-penetrating resin sealers.