Smooth and Level Surfaces Achieved with Redispersible Powder Polymers

In the construction sector, flat, smooth and long-lasting floors are a symbol of quality that makes a difference. They also require good adhesion to all floor materials and a crack-free surface. Floors must become walkable in the shortest time possible and thus be sufficiently stable, while at the same time being resistant to wear and tear and durable enough to withstand the most demanding industrial applications. Wacker's Vinnapas® dispersible powder polymers provide self-leveling floor compounds that carry all of these advantages. Until the 1980s, concrete floors in outdoor areas were used in applications where aesthetics were not prioritized and durability, strength and cost were more important. When architects began converting vacant industrial buildings into stylish loft apartments, the design potential of concrete as a floor covering was also discovered. High-quality polished and finished concrete and cement-based liquid screed floors are now accepted as part of contemporary interior design. Concrete floors are no longer used only in factory buildings, garages and warehouses, but also in galleries, shopping centers, restaurants and museums. In kitchens and living rooms, the understated elegance of a concrete floor has even won the hearts of select residential space designers. The use of concrete in architecture for visual purposes requires building applications harmonized down to the finest detail and high quality, as well as the correct use of chemistry (building chemicals). For fast-setting, smooth and highly wear-resistant floors, self-leveling compounds modified with Vinnapas® are therefore preferred.

Technological Mixtures

Self-leveling mortars are technological mixtures consisting of special cement and a modified series of additives. In fact, self-leveling mortars can be compared to famous mathematical paradoxes in that they must meet initially contradictory expectations. For example, the mortar must both harden quickly and provide high strength, while also giving the applicator performing the application the longest possible working time. In addition, these mortars must flow when poured into the form in such a way as to conceal their "own defects" and create a uniform surface. Typical components of modern, high-quality self-leveling mortars are cement-based binders, fillers and chemical binders such as Vinnapas® powder polymers. Self-leveling floor mortar technology would not be possible without the use of dispersible powder polymers. As the mortar hardens, flexible polymer bridges form between the mineral-based components, which improves the mortar's adhesion strength to many floor types. These polymer bridges also increase the system's elasticity. As the amount of powder polymer used increases, adhesion to the structure also increases. Therefore, when critical structures such as wood or metal are involved, up to 12% more polymer should be used. The ability to make rigid cement-based mortars elastic through the use of dispersible powder polymers brings a very beneficial property for users. Since the material can balance various stresses resulting from temperature differences or structural movement, increased elasticity provides better anchorage to the structure.

Vinnapas® 5111 L for Finishes-Free Floors

Wacker offers different powder polymers for self-leveling mortars and tailors them to users' needs. For self-leveling floor coverings, even without additional floor covering, Wacker's Vinnapas® 5111 L product is an ideal binder. The dispersible powder polymer on the one hand provides a perfectly smooth, even surface, while on the other hand its superior air-entraining properties with high wear resistance, bending and compressive strength enable air-free, extraordinarily smooth surfaces. Additionally, the product is highly compatible with all modern superplasticizers such as polycarboxylate ethers (PCE). The excellent rheological flow of Vinnapas® 5111 L, which is largely supported by low viscosity, enables self-leveling mortars. Vinnapas® 5111 L is perfect for rapid application and has superior stabilizing effects that produce a smooth, bubble-free surface that prevents segregation. Finally, because it complies with environmental and worker health standards, Vinnapas® 5111 L can be easily used in self-leveling floor mortars in residential, hospital and public spaces.

Vinnapas® 5014 F as Application Surface

Another application area for self-leveling floor mortars is renovation. Renovation requires preparing the existing floor for new coating types such as larger ceramic tiles, parquet or natural rubber. It also applies to thin elastic coatings such as epoxy or PVC. Since any irregularity is immediately noticed, an extremely smooth floor is required for these applications as well. In this case, Vinnapas® 5014 F powder polymer meets these requirements. Similar to MSF (melamine formaldehyde-based superplasticizers), it exhibits low kinematic viscosity and provides advantages in machine-applied, pumpable self-leveling mortars. As fluidity increases, it reduces pressure in the hose during pump application and thus increases pumping capacity. Thanks to the PCE superplasticizers contained in Vinnapas® 5014 F, it reduces water requirements during mixing of the self-leveling mortar and prevents segregation and slumping. Furthermore, Vinnapas® 5014 F is also advantageous in manual application, particularly as it enables high flow characteristics in SLC mortar. Compared to formulations containing melamine sulfonate, products containing Vinnapas® 5014 F meet Emicode® EC1 Plus requirements. The ability of special powder polymers such as Vinnapas® 5014 F to make mortars free-flowing is of great economic importance. This property enables the use of mortar pumps in covering large areas. This is not possible with a traditional floor screed. In addition to other process advantages, this provides an alternative way to accelerate the work, enabling significant cost optimization even during manual application.

Conclusion

Self-leveling floor mortars have highly complex mixtures and formulations and must meet a wide range of demands. With the help of Wacker's Vinnapas® dispersible powder polymers, floor surfaces that are walkable shortly after application, resistant to wear and tear can be obtained. Floors provide good adhesion and elasticity properties with all structures and harden without cracking. Furthermore, since Vinnapas® powder polymers do not contain plasticizers, they also meet the strict requirements for very low-emission products in accordance with Emicode® EC1 Plus. As a result, powder polymers satisfy top-tier ecological expectations and economic criteria simultaneously. With Vinnapas® dispersible powder polymer products, Wacker has been the global market and technology leader for 60 years in the field of polymeric binders intended for the modification of cement-based systems. Self-leveling mortars modified with modern polymers align with the trend toward fast-building products for rapidly hardening and strength-gaining surfaces and floor coverings. Because the smoother your foundation, the better the result you will get. Self-leveling floor mortars and putties modified with dispersible powder polymers such as Vinnapas® 5111 L provide an extremely smooth, flat and fine-pored surface. Even in very small quantities, Vinnapas® product significantly increases wear resistance, tensile strength in bending and compressive strength, and provides crack-free hardening. Ali Akın Saraç / Sales Manager / Wacker Kimya Ticaret