Rohm and Haas Company (Rohm and Haas) has introduced new advanced, water-based acrylic polymer. The new polymer contains Robond AquaBloc technology for the formulated adhesives that offers large improvements in water and high pH resistance in just such environments. The water-based adhesives avoid odor issues and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and the speed installation, thus they are broadly preferred.
The company is extending formulation support to the adhesive and flooring manufacturers and says that when formulated into the adhesive compounds used to deploy the resilient flooring, plank vinyl, and also vinyl-backed carpet tiles, and even commercial rubber flooring, the enhanced polymer, Robond FL-8400 with AquaBloc technology, does not dissolve or lose adhesion even under the high-moisture conditions, a key reason that contributes to hated call-backs following the floor covering installation.
“Concrete is an active surface,” explains David Keely, Rohm and Haas technical service senior scientist, Pressure Sensitive and Construction Adhesives. “Water seeps through and out of the concrete, extracting ions that elevate the pH of the water. That causes products made with other polymers without AquaBloc™ technology to break down so they no longer adhere properly.” For installers who painstakingly follow manufacturer’s instructions, the issue has been long-lasting and especially troubling.
“Sometimes within days or weeks after installation, resilient flooring will lift at seams or even over large areas,” says Keely. “Our polymer with AquaBloc™ technology offers a more robust system compared to other polymers on the market, so formulated adhesives using this polymer can be installed over ‘green’ concrete and even where the ground beneath the concrete is always going to be moist and never dry completely.”
The company reports that testing on adhesives formulated with the Robond FL-8400 shows that after weeks immersed in high pH water, the Robond polymer stays unaffected, while the other polymer products traditionally utilized in water-based flooring adhesives start dissolving and failing in days.
Vipul Desai, senior sales executive, Pressure Sensitive and Construction Adhesives, says that the company always sets their sights on creating a superior polymers, but that having an environmentally advanced product is also a given at Rohm and Haas. “Our company is dedicated to sustainability and embraces environmental stewardship. In addition to establishing high performance goals for Robond FL-8400 polymer, we have to comply with the standards set by regulations and by the demand of our customers, too,” he says. “This product merges high adhesion capabilities, exceptional water and high pH resistance, and low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.” Robond FL-8400 is a 64% solids material easily formulated at low cost.