Title: Floor Care

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Floor Care

Floor Care FilmsThe Effect of Floor Polish Films on the Value and the Hygiene Improvement of a Floor Surface

Floor Cleaning a Requirement

The cleaning and care of non-textile floorings is carried out with different methods and procedures. However, applications depend on the type of floor to be cleaned and must be carried out systematically. Cleaning measures include: general cleaning intermediate cleaning basic wet-cleaning

Whereas continuous general cleaning focuses only on the removal of soil with damp or wet-cleaning applications, intermediate cleaning includes the removal of tough soil or the restoration of damaged areas of the film, for instance with the spray-cleaning application. In order to remove a worn-off care film and tough, crusted soil basic chemical wet-cleaning must be applied.

The Authors:

Martha Herzog; Wim van Drunen

INTERPOLYMER GmbHDr.-Wirth-Strasse 9a,

67454 Hassloch,Germany

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Floor Care Film Protects the Floor

There are only a few types of floors that require no additional care to regular cleaning. These are for instance polished or uneven (due to splitting) stone floors as well as ceramic tiles in sanitary facilities (wet area). Floors that require special care apart from regular cleaning to provide protection from mechanical abrasion and damage are:

linoleum floors PVC vinyl floors sealed hard wood floors laminate floors elastomer floors stone floors, in part

Floorings without surface coating have no even surface and cause fast and irregular abrasion. This leads to uneven appearance with a porous surface structure, marked by cavities. Thus, in contrast to a flat and smooth surface structure soil easily aggregates in the pores and in some cases cannot be removed again completely or, if at all, only with extensive effort. Dirt articles have penetrated the floor surface. In case of a coated surface, however, porous regions of the surface are restored which results in a sealed, flat and smooth floor care film. A coated surface can be cleaned more easily and thoroughly than an untreated one.

Comparable tests with regards to cleaning behaviour of artificially soiled linoleum and PVC vinyl floors have shown significantly improved cleaning results whenever the test strips were treated with polymer dispersions before the soiling. This was also confirmed by field tests (1). Coated floors allow

easier and simpler mechanical cleaning than non-coated floors.

Floor Care Measures

The composition of the surface film influences the soiling behaviour of the floor which in turn is affected by the cleaning procedure. Depending on the choice of various generally applied care methods such as mopping, spray-cleaning and polymer dispersion care, there are drastic discrepancies in the quality of the resulting finish film on the floor.

Mopping In the case of wet mopping, a care product is added to the cleaning water in order to accomplish cleaning and care simultaneously using only one working process. Besides cleaning, this deposits a fine care film which results in a relatively moderate shine increase on the floor surface. However, minor unevenness of the existing care film is cleared.

Spray-cleaning and polishing When intermediate cleaning is carried out using the spray-cleaner method a diluted emulsion is applied to the floor and followed by immediate polishing with a single-disc machine (150-220 spins per minute) with the purpose of sealing the finish film while at the same time removing soil. This leads to a durable finish on the floor. Dirt particles thus only adhere to the surface, meaning that they remain on the surface only and can thus be easily removed by damp cleaning (Fig. 1).

If polishing is carried out with so called high-speed-machines (300-750 t/min) or with ultra-high-speed machines (UHS Machines approx. up to 2.500 t/min) the previously applied floor-care film is sealed even further without addition of any dispersion. Therefore a very durable and shiny floor-care finish with an anti-soiling effect is crated (Fig. 2). For the general cleaning with a wet mop it is thus sufficient to work with all-purpose cleaners in very low concentrations (dilution - 1:100 to 1:300).

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Polymer Dispersions In order to protect heavily frequented floor regions, e.g. walking paths, a polymer-dispersion based film is especially effective and reasonable. The water-based polymer dispersions contained in such floor-care products result in a smooth and durable film upon application and drying. This protects the floor from scratches, abrasion and

walking marks, even in the case of very intense mechanical exposure. It also has an anti-soiling effect and allows for easy soil removal which reduces the general cleaning time and effort considerably. The film is formed by evenly wiping the applied polymer care-dispersion across the floor with a mop. This process is usually repeated 3 times, while allowing sufficient drying time for each layer before starting a new. During all this time the floor should not be walked on. An absolutely clean floor surface is an indispensable requirement. Therefore, previous thorough basic cleaning is necessary, followed by

clear water moping, to completely remove all soil residues from the existing film so that fresh coating with a clean neutral surface can be carried out. Polymers are among the main components of floor-care products besides waxes, resins, softeners, emulators and defoamers. The polymers used as watery dispersions also affect the storage stability of the produced polymer dispersions and the properties of the resulting finish in terms of gloss, durability, removableness and surfactant resistance. The wax component, on the other hand, has a significant effect on the surefootedness, polishability and restorability of worn-off regions of the floor-care film (2-4). Appropriate laboratory assessment methods (5-6) support the statements made about the quality features of floor-care products and their resulting films.

Figure 1: The existing finish film can be cleaned and simultaneously sealed during the spray-cleaning process with a single-disc machine so that dirt particles adhere only to the surface when being walked on

Source: W. Lutz, R. Steinberger, Fachbuch Gebäudereinigung (Technical Book on Commercial Cleaning), Verl. Lutz Fachbücher, Metzingen, Germany, 2005

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Figure 2: A high-speed-or ultra-high-speed-machine can further seal the previously applied floor finish based on polymer dispersion so that a sealed, shiny and durable floor-care film with an anti-soiling effect is formed

Source: W. Lutz, R. Steinberger, Fachbuch Gebäu dereinigung (Technical Book on Commercial Cleaning), Verl. Lutz Fachbücher, Metzingen, Germany, 2005

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Formulation of a floor care film

The formation process that takes place during the drying phase following a previous wet application of the polymer floor-care dispersion is very complex. Various steps, starting with the interaction of the dispersed polymer particles with the wax particles and their resulting deformation and development of agglomerates lead to the formation of a melted-down film which in turn creates the polymerized evenly dispersed care film on the floor surface.

Upon application of the polymer dispersion a damp film with a layer thickness of about one millimetre initially develops on the surface of the floor region to be treated. Then the general drying process at room temperature sets in, during which water and volatile plasticizers evaporate. However, the water must evaporate faster than the volatile softeners so that after about five minutes enough water has evaporated for the polymer-care dispersion to begin solidifying. At this moment the permanent plasticizer starts to dissolve the polymer particles to the point of deformation, which is when they lose their cohesive molecular forces.

The gas transition temperature of wax-like polyethylene particles is below room temperature, allowing them to fill the intermolecular polymer spaces without any problems, after having absorbed the plasticizers. At the same time some of the polymer molecules link together, especially those with a low molecular weight. After approximately 20 minutes the finish already feels dry and after 30 minutes the application for the second layer can be

started, although the polymer film stills contains dampness and remaining particles of the volatile softener, which, however, have no negative effect on the second application of the polymer dispersion.

Fig. 3 shows a diagram of the solidified floor-care film. The permanent plasticizer

remains dispersed in the polymer film.The intermolecular spaces between the deformed and linked polymer molecules have been filled by wax components and polymer molecules. These control the polishability, durability and the non-slip effect of the floor finish.

Figure 3: Formation of the floor-care film from dispersed polymer and wax particles under the influence of permanent softeners contained in the polymer dispersion

Source: INTERPOLYMER

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Figure 4: Dispersion of the wax component on the floor-care film: the wax contained in the polymer dispersion migrates to the surface of the film during its formation (a). In wax-grafted polymers (wax grafting) the wax component remains dispersed evenly homogenous on the floor-care film (b)

Source: INTERPOLYMER

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Wax Grafted Polymers

Advancing technological developments in the production of polymer dispersions have led to the application of wax grafted polymers.

This technology, known as wax grafting, chemically links the wax composition to the polymer. This leads to an even dispersion of the wax particles on the whole film layer which results in improved film properties (Fig. 4).

If wax-grafted polymers are used there is no need for additive wax components, which simplifies the production process of polymer dispersions. Correspondingly, there is an increase in the polymer proportion from 40 to 70% in the product to be formulated, whereas the other components remain at the same level.

Wax-grafted polymers are processed more easily. Floor-care products formulated with such polymers are more elastic, they show good compatibility and keep glossiness and non-slip effect stable even at high speed (Table 1).

Polymers viaMegatran®-Technology

Further, polymers that are obtained by applying the Megatran®-Technology (INTEROPLYMER) and which contain sulphate or sulphonate groups (7) generally possess a higher emulsion stability, which remains persistent throughout the formation of the finish during the drying period and is not affected by high humidity in the air.

The high emulsion stability of polymers obtained according to the Megatan®-Technology prevents micro-coagulation while the film is being formed during the drying period. Micro-coagulation reduces the glossiness of a floor-care film. Therefore, if micro-coagulation is prevented the gloss of the floor coating can be sustained. At the same time, also mop movement-resistance is reduced preventing so called mop-tilting.Fig. 5 shows polymer films with a proper film formation (a) and an in-homogeneously flowing film due to micro-coagulation (b). Further developments aim at the creation of polymers which can be applied as levelling agents without any fluorine surfactant additives.

Hygienic Aspects

Special consideration must be given to the hygienic aspect. Insufficiently cleaned floor surfaces which additionally show porous irregularities will continue to contain germs even after cleaning. Thus, for hygienic reasons, every possibility besides the taking of sanitary measures should be considered in order to create a hygienically optimal room environment. A purposeful approach to floor-care and cleaning is therefore of utmost importance. This applies especially in health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctor´s offices, residential homes for the elderly and nursing homes.

Soil is one of the main causes for the spread of diseases since even the smallest remnants of it provide enough nutrients for micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, yeasts and viruses) to multiply. Porous surfaces where soil particles aggregate in the pore cavities form a nutrient medium for the growth of germs that is not to be underestimated.

Lab-scale wipe-tests were made with a wipe-on product for the cleaning of PVC and linoleum floors which were contaminated with a germ suspension of micro-coccus flavus, homogenised with a fat component. After the cleaning process of the contaminated floors was completed additional contact tests showed that coated floors contained considerably less colony forming germ units than un-coated floors.

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Therefore, floors in health facilities must be coated with a durable and resistant care film with a sealed surface that can be excellently cleaned so that a growth of germs is prevented.

For that purpose polymer dispersions are most suitable due to their formation of an evenly flowing floor-care film. This surface coating can be polished with the high-speed procedure and maintained with the spray-cleaning procedure in order to restore the film in worn-off regions.

dvancing technological developments in the production of polymer dispersions have led to the application of wax grafted polymers.

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Product Type Product Name

Acrylate basis

SYNTRAN® A-170

SYNTRAN® 1220

SYNTRAN® 1950

Megatran® Technology

SYNTRAN® MT

SYNTRAN® MT 228

SYNTRAN® MT 240

Wax grafted polymers

SYNTRAN® 1930

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Table 1: Comparing overview of the properties of differently prepared polymers (INTERPOLYMER) for polymer containing floor-care dispersions

Figure 5: Flow of floor-care finish after polymerization: (a) Flawless Flow (b) in-homogenous flow with micro-coagulation

Source: INTERPOLYMER

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Formulations forPolymer Dispersions

The films formed by polymer dispersions are very resistant. Their non-slip properties also guarantee surefootedness. Provided that restoring measurers are taken at regular intervals or polishing is applied with a high-speed machine, the coatings are very durable and only in rare cases do they have to be completely renewed preceding prior basic cleaning.

This, of course, results in economic as well as ecological advantages. Polymer containing floor-care films are compatible with biological wastewater treatment and lead to a minimisation of the amount of cleaner product necessary for general cleaning. They are a must for a rational and low-cost general cleaning and contribute to improved room hygiene since soil and germs adhere less to coated floors than to uncoated ones.

Floor-care products with a cleaning effect can also be formulated and used in a diluted form directly with the cleaning water. With every application these also create a fine film during the cleaning process, this does however lead to multi-layers because the previously formed film is only restored with every new cleaning process.

Formulations of different polymer dispersions for a film application; for the spray-cleaning procedure and that for a wipe-on cleaning agent based on the SYNTRAN® and MEGATRAN® range of polymers are available on request.

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