Top 5 Acid Resistant Flooring Options

Choose the most suitable from the 5 different acid resistant flooring option

Environments where acids and other chemicals are or may be present require acid resistant flooring. There are essentially, five different options to realise a floor with sufficient acid resistance. These options are suitable depending on the acids and duration of exposure. Let us introduce you the 5 different acid resistant flooring options!

1. Vinyl floor coverings against mild acids and alkalis

Vinyl floor coverings are a rather common option to achieving acid resistant flooring in areas where there is a chance for mild acid spills. These do not affect the vinyl surface even if they remain longer on the surface. However, once the flooring becomes exposed to stronger acids, such as battery acid; if damage is to be avoided, the spill must be cleaned immediately.

Acid resistance: Good
Suitable for: Exposure to mild acids, strong acids require immediate cleaning.

2. Acid resistant Ceramic tiles

Just as vinyl flooring, tiles do not provide a seamless flooring solution. The seams between the tiles are the weak point of acid resistant tile flooring; once there is a gap or crack in the seam, liquids gain access to under the flooring, which encourages growth of microorganisms. Therefore, floor tiles are not recommended for health care or food and beverage industries where hygiene is an absolute must.

Acid resistance: Good
Suitable for: Exposure to mild acids, strong acids require immediate cleaning.

3. Rubber flooring for moderate protection

From the 5 different acid resistant flooring options, rubber flooring is the one with the lowest resistance to acids. Rubber floors are suitable for areas there, where there is no to low chance of acid spills. If the floor has become exposed to acids, they must be cleaner as soon as possible. Also rubber floors suffer from the fact that they are often not seamless.

Acid resistance: Moderate
Suitable for: Occasional exposure to mild acids, requires immediate cleaning.

4. Resin coatings provide a seamless acid resistant flooring

The most common and by far the best acid resistant flooring solution is provided by resin coatings. Depending on the resin, the acid resistant coatings are resistant to a wide range of acids and other chemicals. The most common resins used are epoxy and polyurethane. The most suitable acid resistant floor coating is chosen by the specific requirements of the environment.

Acid resistance: Excellent
Suitable for: Frequent exposure to mild to strong acids depending on the coating.

5. Sacrificial tipping floors

Sometimes chemical exposure on the floor is inevitable but so overwhelming that no coating or other acid resistant flooring option would last long. In those cases a sacrificial tipping floor is applicable. This usually refers to an additional concrete slab which corrodes under the chemical attack, and requires removing and replacing every couple of years. The tipping floors effectively protect the underlying floor but they do need to be replaced, which results in additional downtime. Tipping floors are common for example in waste processing plants where the chemical exposure is continuous.

Acid resistance: Good to excellent
Suitable for: Extreme exposure to acids, coating requires renewing once in a couple of years.

Be sure to inform the supplier to get the most suitable acid resistant flooring

Whatever option you choose, you should consult the acid resistant flooring supplier to make sure the flooring system is absolutely suitable for the location and has the resistance to the acids present in the environment. Provide at least the following data:

• The acid the substrate will be exposed to
• Concentration of the acid
• Ambient and substance temperature
• Degree of exposure (occasional, frequent)
• Duration of exposure