Metallic Epoxy Singapore | Is Metallic Epoxy Toxic

Is your new Metallic Epoxy Surface toxic? Are you being exposed to harmful polyurethane particles in your homes right now?

Fact Or Fiction? 

In the digital age, many consumers are highly resourceful and take great pains to research a product and its alternatives before sealing the deal. Often, the decision hinges on factors such as the suitability of the product for one’s needs, or its value for money.

However, the one factor that a smart consumer should NEVER compromise on is: Safety.

Introduction

In today’s post, we’ll be exploring the safety of Metallic Epoxy for your home and office. As with any product, there are bound to be rumours. Many entirely unsubstantiated and a few misinterpreted about potentially harmful side-effects of a product.

The surest way to make an educated decision, free of sensationalised news and half-truths. To have a personal understanding of the product and the science behind it from neutral sources.

The Judges 

For the casual reader. This post will condense and simplify relevant scientific research on the safety of Metallic Epoxy and all that they entail.

For the more avid reader, we will be including our sources, from government and research organisations. This will enable you to be more thoroughly equip in making an educated decision.

What is in a Metallic Epoxy? 

A good Metallic Epoxy System is far more than a single slab of solidified epoxy. Most systems consist of three main layers, The base coat, the body coat, and the top coat, each of which serve crucial functions.

Base Coat 

The base coat consists of a layer of sealant and primer to form a clean base that the epoxy can adhere to. It also prevents moisture and air from entering beneath the finished Metallic Epoxy.

Body Coat 

The body coat makes up the bulk of the Metallic Epoxy. It consists of a liquid epoxy resin mixture of approximately 55% epichlorohydrin, 45% Bisphenol A (BPA), and small amounts of an alcohol hardener.

When poured and spread, the alcohol hardener eventually harmlessly evaporates. Meanwhile the epichlorohydrin and BPA react in the curing process to form solid epoxy.

Top Coat 

The topcoat may vary across suppliers but often consists of an oil-based or water-based polyurethane coating.

Polyurethane coatings can contain one of two types of polyisocyanates. Aromatic polyisocyanates or aliphatic polyisocyanates. The former is more cost-effective and suitable for indoor use, while the latter is more expensive but weathers ultraviolet degradation better.

In Simple Terms

Now that we’ve started listing complex technical terms, let’s explore what each one means. In much the same way that your mobile phone or high-end headphone uses heavy metals. A Metallic Epoxy System is an industrial process that uses compounds that could be dangerous on their own.

However, in the same way that mobile phones don’t poison you each time you take a call. A Metallic Epoxy Interior is designed with the intention to render these compounds entirely harmless for everyday use.

Components of Metallic Epoxy

Big claims need strong numbers, especially when there are lives at stake. Here, we focus on the components that could pose health risks, and why they don’t.

Bisphenol A (BPA)

A prime example would be BPA. This boogeyman of the plastic industry has earned a bad reputation in consumer plastic products, and rightfully so.

Following studies that linked the presence of BPA in food and drink to an increased risk of cancer. Many companies began changing their products, such as water bottles and lunch boxes, to be entirely BPA-free

Is Metallic Epoxy Toxic

“But you mentioned that almost half of my epoxy coating is made of BPA, are you trying to give me cancer?!”

No! Besides being a terrible business model, it would certainly be ethically unsound. When epoxy resin is poured and spread, the BPA and epichlorohydrin react almost completely to form a solid epoxy material.

The ratio of each compound in the mixture is prepared with safety in mind. In modern epoxy resins, the amount of unreacted BPA remaining is less than 1 part per million (ppm). This is far below the estimated maximum of 10 ppm.

All that, and we haven’t touched on the most relevant point. The epoxy body, if the Metallic Epoxy installationis well done, will never even be exposed at all. Instead, all the abuse of everyday use is borne by the polyurethane top coat, the focus of the next section.

Polyurethane Top Coats (And Why You Shouldn’t Worry)

Polyurethane, sometimes mistakenly called urethane, is a durable compound often used as a protective coating. Examples include paints, wood, and in this case, an epoxy body.

Strong, modern polyurethane contains a group of compounds known as polyisocyanates. Polyisocyanates are harmful and present as emissions from liquid polyurethane mixtures, in higher concentrations. They can cause respiratory problems and skin problems when physically contacted.

However, what makes polyisocyanates harmful also make them useful — their reactive nature allows them to bond readily with alcohol, amines, or water, meaning they react quickly and completely.

As such, the only time when there is any significant presence of harmful polyisocyanates is during the curing process. After the top coat hardens and cures, any emission drops to virtually zero. This protects your Metallic Epoxy Interiors in a safe and efficient manner.

Where is Polyurethane Generally Used 

With safe application methods, polyurethane is so good at its job that it’s used in practically every industry. From cargo ships and aeroplanes to shopping mall exteriors and house interiors.

Justifiable Concern and Irrational Worry

Here at Metallic Epoxy Singapore, we believe in a constructive feedback loop. If something is inadequate with a process. We identify the issue, check the numbers, implement a solution, and check the numbers again.

If it doesn’t work, we’re right back to the drawing board to find a solution.

Remember To Do Your Own Research as Well

In the same spirit of constructive progress, we urge you to take education into your own hands. If you hear something bad on the grapevine, it could be about polyurethane coatings, brain-melting mobile phone emissions, or even mutant chickens being used at your favourite fried chicken franchise.

Do the research and verify the facts. More often than not, you’d come out ahead as a well-educated consumer and a responsible member of society.

Conclusion

Our team believes in the safety of our products and services, and the moral responsibility to ensure they remain so. If you’ve any questions or concerns about our process, feel free to drop us a message or give us a call for a better understanding on how we can help you build your dream home or office.

More information which you may find useful

1) View our Past Works – Click Here

2) Metallic Epoxy Floorings – Click Here

3) Metallic Epoxy Art Panels – Click Here

4) Metallic Epoxy Countertops – Click Here

5) Metallic Epoxy Bathroom – Click Here

Take care of your belongings and they will take care of you | Metallic Epoxy Maintenance Tips

This piece of old-world wisdom speaks of caring for objects so that their ability to serve you is maximally preserved.

The adage is particularly true for tools that see frequent use for important functions and are expected to last a long time.

Take a knight’s sword, for instance. It must be regularly polished and oiled to keep rust at bay. Sharpened before and after battle to maintain its edge, and brought to a blacksmith if it needs specialist care.

Introduction | Metallic Epoxy Maintenance Tips

Your home and its components fit very much into this category. It’s where you spend a third of your life sleeping, and up to another third, or more, if you’re introverted.

In an ideal world, the amount of care spent on your home would be proportionate to the hours spent in it. Unfortunately for most of us with full-time jobs, and no full-time domestic helpers, that’s hardly a reasonable expectation.

Fortunately, Metallic Epoxy surfaces are tough and it’s more an issue of what not to do. Here’s a complete breakdown of the care your Metallic Epoxy deserves.

Recommended Steps | Metallic Epoxy Maintenance Tips

A good Metallic Epoxy costs nearly as much as a premium flooring or countertop surfaces, such as marble or granite.

Suffice to say, a proportional amount of care and a healthy dose of common sense would keep your epoxy coating strong and happy. There’s really nothing special about keeping an epoxy surface clean.

General Cleaning 

Metallic Epoxy’s non-porous surface and chemically inert nature make it a breeze to clean if you make a mess.

Simply use any general-use household cleaner (like JIF/CIF cleaner) and a wet cloth. You’ll notice that the offending substance comes right off.

Frequency of Cleaning

Next comes the frequency of said cleaning. Metallic Epoxy topcoats come in mainly five varieties — mirror, gloss, gloss anti-slip, matte and matte anti-slip.

You can read more about the properties of each topcoat through the blog post link HERE. The gist of it is that a mirror finish trades strength for a beautiful exterior. A matte finish trades its sheen for much higher durability, and a gloss finish is a compromise.

Things to Note

While a matte finish is more durable. The additional grittiness of the topcoat tends to trap dirt and lint a little more readily than a gloss or mirror finish.

With a little elbow grease, homeowners tend to find the more frequent cleanings a small trade-off for the rugged strength of a matte finish.

Lastly, always wipe down any surface thoroughly after a period of heavy usage. For instance, deep-frying in the kitchen or house guests visiting during the new year.

Things to avoid | Metallic Epoxy Maintenance Tips

This section’s exactly what it says and is far more specific than clean often and clean well.

Metallic Epoxy is a wonder material. It resists chemical attacks, shrugs off high impacts, and is highly heat-resistant. Its stain-proofing and bacteria/mould resistance is legendary, and it’s entirely waterproof.

Yet, as much as we wish otherwise, nothing is perfect. The resilient top coating will eventually degrade if subjected to inordinately high amounts of damage. To prolong its life, here are a few things we strongly suggest you not do to your perfectly good Metallic Epoxy interiors.

Avoid Scrubbing With Abrasive Materials | Metallic Epoxy Maintenance Tips

Firstly, never ever use an abrasive scrub (like a Scotch-Brite pad) or related cleaning product on your Metallic Epoxy surfaces. The abrasive action will wear through the topcoat over time and expose the epoxy surface below, causing it to lose a vital layer of protection.

Avoid Using Heavy Industrial Products | Metallic Epoxy Maintenance Tips

Secondly, avoid using heavy industrial products on your Metallic Epoxy surfaces.

The occasional spill from paint thinner or turpentine is perfectly harmless if cleaned up in a timely manner. However frequent and long periods of exposure to such industrial solvents will eventually cause damage to the topcoat.

Highly concentrated household cleaners should not be allowed to remain on the surfaces as well. If complete disinfecting is required with bleach, use the least concentrated effective solution possible and clean it off promptly.

Avoid Over Exposing To Constant High Heat | Metallic Epoxy Maintenance Tips

Next, epoxy’s heat resistance is graded to 200°C. This means it can take boiling hot water, and then some, with minimal effect.

However, naked flames and hot pans from right off the burner may exceed this safe limit easily. Do not constantly overexpose your Metallic Epoxy surfaces to these conditions. As much as you can, use a cork pad or other protective material if you intend to place a hot pan or pot on the countertop.

Otherwise, you should ideally keep the flame-throwing to a minimum around the epoxy. Or anywhere else, for that matter.

Avoid Intentional or Unintentional Damages | Metallic Epoxy Maintenance Tips

Last on this list involves Metallic Epoxy’s impact absorption and scratch resistance. Its virtues in these two areas are far more pronounced than in most other materials.

However, its lack of invincibility should be reiterated. Repeated damage from sharp and heavy objects directly on the surface will wear the topcoat out faster and should be avoided.

Conclusion | Metallic Epoxy Maintenance Tips

All good things must come to an end — unless you’re a layer of Metallic Epoxy, that is.

Properly maintained, Metallic Epoxy Surfaces last at least 10-15 years before seeing a decline in the performance of the topcoat. However, completely renewing the life of your Metallic Epoxy is as simple as having an installer re-apply a new layer of topcoat.

While the topcoat installation comes at a cost, it’s a fraction of the cost of a brand new installation of any other surfacing material.

More information which you may find useful

1) Bathroom Floor Maintenance Tips – Click Here

2) Kitchen Countertop Maintenance Tips – Click Here

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4) Metallic Epoxy Stress Test – Click Here

5) Metallic Epoxy Floorings – Click Here

6) Metallic Epoxy Art Panels – Click Here

7) Metallic Epoxy Countertops – Click Here

8) Metallic Epoxy Bathroom – Click Here