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Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative technical data sheet

 

Multi coloured solvent free epoxy screed

 

Last edited: July 2021

 

Product description
FeRFA type 6

Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative utilises blended coloured and carbon coated quartz bound together with solvent free epoxy resins to provide a high strength, chemically resistant and decorative floor surface. Static build up is prevented by allowing the charge to harmlessly dissipate through the floor surface at a controlled rate.

Many industrial processes will create stray static electrical charges. In areas where damage to equipment might result from electrostatic accumulation, or prevention of an accumulation generated by the movement or processing of powders and liquids is required, there will be the need for static controlled floors.

N.B. Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative is a static dissipative floor and not a fully conductive floor. It should not be used in areas of intrinsic safety where spontaneous release of static charge might cause an explosion, such as with gasses, flammable liquids, munitions or pyrotechnics.

Standard colours

Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative is available in 3 standard colours. Although stringent quality assurance processes are employed, when colour consistency is required, a single batch should be used. There may be certain colour limitations with Altro Screed 4mm due to the darkening effect of the conducting additives.

Typical areas of use

  • Powder production areas
  • Breakdown of electrostatic sensitive devices
  • Production halls (dry operations)
  • Clean rooms
  • Warehouses
  • Dry storage areas
  • Laboratories
  • Electronics and static control environments

Advantages

  • Moderate impact strength
  • Abrasion resistant
  • Can be laid to falls
  • Vertical application
  • Moderate chemical resistance

Sustainability

Altro’s steps to sustainability program seeks to optimise our performance with respect to the planet’s resources. Please refer to www.altro.com for further information.

Chemical resistance

Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative offers resistance to a range of commonly used chemicals. However, premature or prolonged contact with chemicals (including water) during the curing process may give rise to discolouration, staining and variation in gloss. In all cases of chemical spillage, it is essential that the spillage be immediately removed and the surface washed down with clean water, removing water by wet vacuum after operation. Although some chemicals may cause discolouration, this may not affect the durability and integrity of the resin screed. Please refer to Altro and FeRFA Guidance Note No.3 for further information.


Typical physical properties

Slip resistance We do not recommend Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative where there is risk of a slip
Usable working life 30 minutes @ 20°C
Speed of cure Light foot traffic - 24 hours at 20°C
Full cure – 7 days at 20°C
Service temperature -40°C to 60°C
Bond strength EN 4264 B3,5
Impact strength ISO 6272 IR2
Wear resistance EN 13892-4 AR 0.5

Packaging

Altro Prime static-dissipative is available in a 5kg two-part composite pack.

Altro conductive aggregate is available in 25kg bags.

Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative is available in three part 23 kg composite pack.

Coverage

The use of copper tape may be required to aid dissipation of electrical charges to earth and are installed prior to the application of the Altro Prime static-dissipative.

Altro Prime static-dissipative 24m2 per 5 kg unit
Altro conductive aggregate 17m2 per 25 kg bag
Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative 2.8m2 / 23kg unit @ 4mm Altro Screed standard seal coat
1st coat 25m2 per 5.3kg unit
2nd coat 37m2 per 5.3kg unit

Altro Seal water-based matt is an optional coating that can be applied after the Altro Screed seal coats above. It should not be applied directly the epoxy screed.) Single coat 1002 per 5kg unit.

Material usage is dependent upon temperature, surface profile and porosity; stated coverage rates should be referred to for guidance only and cannot be relied upon to determine exact quantities. Although stringent quality assurance processes are employed, when colour consistency is required, a single batch should be used.

We cannot guarantee batch matches between different batches of aggregate. Necessary transitions between batches should be planned for non-conspicuous areas.

Dark coloured Altro Screed variants will highlight any defects such as roller lines and scratches.

Selection and testing of Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative

There is currently no single British Standard that is universally applicable to all industries and all requirements for static controlled flooring. Therefore, the electrical properties, test method and test agency (contractor, client or third party) should be agreed with the end user and discussed with the product installer at the tendering stage. Altro Screed 4mm staticdissipative has been measured in accordance with the test method laid out in EN1081:2018+A1:2020 the test method is intended to evaluate the electrical resistance of a floor covering under standard laboratory conditions

Both 14041:2004 & EN 14041:2018 give no lower limit for a product to be determined as static dissipative or conductive, as such a product which meets the requirements to be considered conductive, would also meet the requirements to be considered conductive static dissipative.

Typical Test installation values – ≤ 106 Ωa - ≤ 1010 Ωa

In some installations ‘earth leakage’ (surface of the resin to earth) testing will be required and will necessitate the application of the Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative over a copper grid set out on a flat floor, (see below). It is the installer’s responsibility to ensure that this grid is installed correctly and is tested to ensure that it is fully earthed prior to the installation of the resin system. In situ testing of the installed resin system should only take place after it has been thoroughly washed and ideally trafficked for up to 2 weeks. The test agency to carry out the testing should be agreed before the resin flooring is installed.

It is recommended to lay a trial area of the Altro Screed 4mm staticdissipative, preferably 4 -10 m2, at the beginning of the contract. This will enable all parties involved to agree on the appearance and testing of the floor before the work progresses too far. Where possible the exact range of acceptable resistance, test method (including test voltage) and any specific charge requirements should be specified by the end user before selection of the resin flooring. For further guidance on test methods please refer to FeRFA guidance note: Static controlled flooring.


Performance testing (resistivity)

Once laid and chemically cured, the system MUST be trafficked and cleaned in accordance with our recommendations. At least 7 to 12 days must have elapsed and full trafficking and cleaning carried out before test readings are taken.

Storage

Ensure that the product is received in good order and store in a dry, frost free environment, ideally between 15°C and 20°C for at least three days before laying. It is important to maintain the aggregate temperature during storage. Low temperature in the aggregate will adversely affect the product application. Excessively high and low storage temperatures will affect the laying performance of the product.

Suitable substrates

Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative may be applied to a variety of substrates including, but not limited to concrete, polymer modified cementitious screeds, terrazzo, 25mm marine plywood (consult Altro for further guidance). For all proprietary subfloor systems refer to the manufacturer for recommendations and seek further guidance from Altro. FeRFA, The Resin Federation, does not recommend Calcium Sulphate, Anhydrite or Hemihydrite screeds for overlayment with synthetic resin surfaces.

Substrate requirements

Substrates should be dry, structurally sound and free from contamination, friable materials or laitance which may affect either the adhesion or penetration of the resin system. All residues of old paint coatings and dust must be removed. The substrates should achieve 26N/mm² compressive strength (BS EN 12504-2) and surface tensile strength 1.5N/mm² (BS EN 13892-8). Substrates must include an effective damp proof membrane and contain residual moisture not greater than 5% by weight (75% R.H.) to BS 8203. Thin-bed synthetic resin systems follow the surface of the substrate, so it is essential that the surface regularity of flatness conforms to or exceeds BS 8204.2 class SR2 (+/- 5mm under a 2 metre straight edge). Any deviation from this may require a surface improver to be applied which must be suitable to receive an epoxy resin overlay. Please consult Altro or FeRFA Guide to the Specification and Application of Synthetic Resin Flooring for further information.

Substrate preparation

Surface preparation is the most vital aspect of resin flooring application. Inadequate preparation will lead to loss of adhesion and failure. The substrate in question will dictate the method of preparation. In the case of a concrete floor, preparation by dust enclosed diamond floor grinder may be appropriate, or if of a sufficient area for economic reasons, should be lightly shot blasted to leave a textured surface free from contamination.

If the floor has been treated with a cementitious surface improver, then the surface should be prepared in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, or abraded with an STR machine followed by thorough vacuuming. Treatment of local repairs such as cracks and holes, improvement or modification of levels and removal of high spots, should be undertaken prior to the flooring installation. Application onto cold substrates can give rise to pinholes in the finished system if the ambient temperature rises during application causing micro pockets of air in the concrete substrate to expand and be displaced through the resin. Ambient and substrate temperatures should be raised prior to installation, and kept constant during application. Please consult Altro or FeRFA’s Guide to the Specification and Application of Synthetic Resin Flooring for further guidance.

Earthing using copper tapes

It is highly advisable to apply Altro Screed 4mm staticdissipative over a grid of copper tapes to ensure that the installed resin floor is effectively earthed. This is achieved by the use self-adhesive Altro static-dissipative copper tape applied to the substrate (below the first conductive layer) and connected to earthing points installed in a suitable location by the end user’s electrical contractor. Every floor should have at least one earth linkage; however it is good practice to install more than one connection as insurance should one be damaged.

The number of connections should increase with the area of the floor and connections at each corner should be considered. A multi strand piece of copper wire connected to earth at one end and fanned out across the floor can be used under a cross hatch grid of copper tape to maximise the contact and connection to the earth linkage. On ground concrete, a minimum of an earthed perimeter strip of copper continuity tape should be installed and tested before installation. On insulated subfloors, a grid of earthed copper tape must be provided and laid at four metre centres. Care should be taken to ensure that all sections of the floor are linked together i.e. expansion joints bridged with copper tape to provide electrical conductivity. The concrete should be locally primed beneath the copper tape to prevent loss of bond with dust under the tape. If the copper tape is not properly adhered then air bubbles can escape through the subsequent coating. The electrical conductivity of the copper tape network should be verified before application of the primer.


Planning

Before proceeding with the installation, careful consideration should determine the best way of installing the Altro system. Efforts should be made to minimise day joints and optimise the open time of the product (i.e. minimise the distance between mixing and laying). It is best to also consider the effect of external influences on the final installation (i.e. direction of light from windows etc.). Time spent at this stage will be invaluable towards the success of your installation.

The Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative floor system is designed to be laid at a maximum 4mm thickness. Altro recommend that stainless steel mixing, laying and application tools are used in this process. Metal transfer from mild steel tools may result in discolouration of lighter colours which will be unacceptable to your customer. Please contact Altro for further guidance.

Application

The following application guide is based on laboratory and simulated site conditions. However, when installations conditions differ appreciably from those detailed by Altro, the performance characteristics of both mixing and laying may not be as expected. To achieve the best results at all times please endeavour to establish the correct conditions which in turn will allow the materials to be laid effectively, and meet your customer’s expectations.

Installation conditions

Apply in well ventilated areas. Both the slab and air temperature should be between 10°C and 25°C.

It is not advisable to mix and lay epoxy resin products outside this range. Ambient conditions should be maintained at least 3°C above dew point or below 75% R.H. during the initial stages of cure. At site temperatures below 10°C cure times will be substantially increased unless some form of external heating is used. It must be recognised that the concrete slab temperature will generally be lower than the air temperature, often as much as 10°C, and this will govern the rate of cure. As the resin flooring cures, in condensing conditions moisture vapour may condense onto the surface and cause ‘blooming’, a permanent clouding of the surface. Cold, wet or humid conditions, and limited air-flow, can result in condensation on the part cured floor. The workability, open time, cure development and return to traffic will be significantly affected by ambient conditions.

Do not lay the Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative variant on a raising thermometer as this can give rise to pinholes. Raise the substrate temperature prior to application and maintain the temperature of the substrate during application.

Mixing equipment

  • Slow speed drill (200-500rpm), such as MM17 *
  • Mixing paddle, such as MR3
  • Mega Mixer MM22 with MR3 Paddle
  • Stainless mixing vessel, such as RM65 drum *

* All tool number references relate to Refina Ltd 01202 632 270

Priming the substrate

In some cases an unmodified non-conducting Altro Prime will be required to maximise adhesion to the concrete or to act as a damp proof membrane. Such a primer will act as an insulating layer making the use of copper tape described above essential. For substrates with greater than 75% RH (BS 8203) an effective DPM should be laid such as Altro Proof standard. The appropriate Altro primer should be applied in accordance with the product data sheet.

Ensure that the substrate is well sealed and that all hungry areas are addressed before proceeding to install the system. If the over coating time period for the primer is exceeded, the surface should be lightly abraded and vacuumed before further coats are applied. Altro Prime static-dissipative should be applied prior to the installation of the Altro Screed 4mm staticdissipative and after the use of any copper tape. Altro Prime static-dissipative should be fully blinded with Altro conductive aggregate while the system is still wet.


Product installation

Altro Prime static-dissipative - use a drill and mixing paddle. Pour all of the hardener into the base and mix for 2 minutes. Excessively vigorous mixing should be avoided as this can lead to undesirable air entrainment. If the mixing area is not adjacent to the laying area the time required to transfer the mixed material will reduce the open installation time. Remember to always use the correct PPE. Pour all the mixed material into either a large roller tray, or lay a river of the material onto the prepared substrate. Using either a low-loss medium pile synthetic roller, or dense foam rubber squeegee, distribute the material evenly and uniformly to fully treat the surface. Finish using a roller to ensure that a uniform and even coverage is achieved. While the primer is still wet, fully blind the system with Altro conductive aggregate and allow to cure. When cured vacuum away the excess aggregate prior to application of the Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative.

Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative - using a slow speed drill and paddle thoroughly mix together the base and hardener. Pour all the mixed base and hardener contents into a suitable clean polypropylene or stainless steel mixing vessel. The aggregate should be added gradually into the pre-mixed binder, whilst continuing the mixing action, and mix for a further 2-3 minutes in the forced action mixer. A single paddle Danes type mixer is unsuitable for use with this product. Excessively vigorous mixing should be avoided as this can lead to undesirable air entrainment.

Care should be taken to ensure that any material adhering to the sides, bottom and corners of the mixer is thoroughly blended in. If the mixing area is not adjacent to the laying area the time required to transfer the mixed material will reduce the open installation time. Remember to always use the correct PPE. Using a clean stainless steel trowel or sledge apply the Altro Screed 4mm static-dissipative to the prepared primed substrate. Ensure that the system is being laid to the desired depth 4mm and fully closed off to leave a uniform compact surface. Because the flooring is hand finished, there may be slight variations in surface appearance resulting from the trowelling. A skilled operative will endeavour to keep these to a minimum so that the overall appearance and performance of the flooring will not be affected. The system must be sealed with two coats of Altro Screed standard seal coat. Ensure the surface of the resin screed is contamination free and has been de-nibbed and thoroughly vacuumed as necessary.

Altro Screed standard seal coat - pour the contents of the hardener into the base unit, and using a slow speed drill and paddle thoroughly mix the contents for two minutes. To ensure thorough mixing pour the materials into another container and mix again for a further minute. Ineffective mixing can lead to yellow staining in the seal coat. Apply the seal coat to the screed using a dense polypropylene foam squeegee, taking time to work the seal into the surface, ensuring that all porous areas of screed are fully satisfied. Roll the surface with a short nap synthetic roller and leave to cure for not longer than 24 hours at 20°C. Mix and roller apply the finishing seal coat grouting into the screed using a dense polypropylene foam squeegee and roll the surface as before to leave a uniform closed film across the floor where all excess is removed. If this time period is exceeded at the seal coat stages the surface should be lightly abraded and vacuumed before further coats are applied. Failure to remove excess may affect the slip resistance and appearance of the finished system.

Joints

The spacing of movement joints must be determined by the design of the subfloor. All live movement joints in the subfloor must be continued through the resin flooring. In all instances the type and positioning of movement joints should be agreed at the design stage between all parties concerned. Please refer to Altro or FeRFA’s Guide to the Specification and Application of Synthetic Resin Systems for further guidance. All joints should be filled with Altro Expand flexible jointing compound. Please see Altro Expand datasheet for further information.

Protection

Whilst of an extremely durable nature these floor systems must be thoroughly protected from the rigours and abuse that exist during the ongoing contractual works. The resin floor should reach full chemical cure in 7 days at 20°C. Untreated felt paper will suffice as protection from light traffic, however if protection is required from other trades then the following protection option should be considered. Where heavier access is required, a more suitable medium to take the loadings, such as shuttering ply or Correx by Cordek should be placed on top of the untreated felt paper. The resin system should have cured for at least 48 hours prior to placing the protection. No polyethylene sheets, linseed-treated hardboard, print or dyed card should be placed in contact with the resin surface. All joints in the protection medium should be taped, and all accidental spillages should be recovered immediately by removal and reinstatement of the protection. Damage will occur to the system if the guidance is not followed.


Cleaning (during installation)

All tools and equipment should be regularly cleaned using Altro Solve™ EP to reduce build up and maintain the quality of the installation. Ensure that the correct PPE is worn at all times.

Disposal

Due diligence must be adopted if accidental spillages occur. Recover using absorbent granules, transferring into a suitably marked container. Disposal of all empty containers and accidental spillages should be in accordance with the local waste disposal authority.

Cleaning guidance

Optimum slip resistance can only be maintained with regular cleaning. Resin floors require mechanical cleaning, mop cleaning will be less effective but may be sufficient for routine maintenance of floors with a smooth surface. Steam cleaners and/or hot pressure cleaners should not be used on the floor or walls. A cold / ambient pressure washer may be used if required, but the pressure should not exceed 1400psi. Warm water will offer improved cleaning, but the water temperature should not exceed 60°C.

  • Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove debris
  • For normal cleaning, dilute an alkaline detergent such, as Altro Clean 44 or similar, by 1:40 in clean water
  • Alternatively, dilute by 1:10 for infrequent heavy cleaning
  • Liberally apply the water and detergent solution to the floor, scrubbing with a deck scrubber or slow-speed (< 400rpm) scrubbing machine and Altro UniPad or similar
  • Pay particular attention to areas where residues may accumulate, such as internal corners of perimeter coves and around columns etc
  • If possible, allow the detergent solution to remain on the floor for several minutes to break down deposits, but not sufficiently long to allow the solution to evaporate
  • Remove the solution by wet vacuum recovery and follow this with a fresh water rinse, or rinse the solution into drains if permissible
  • It is important that all detergent residue is removed from the textured surface of the floor. Detergent may become slippery which affects safety, or sticky which attracts and holds more dirt

Altro Clean 44 and Altro Unipads are available from Altro.

Please refer to the most up-to-date technical documents, including safety data sheets, for the Altro resin variant prior to beginning your installation.

For further information or technical advice
call our Customer Care Centre on 01426 489516
or email: enquiries@altro.com

NOTE: “Altro Limited” (“Altro”) endeavours to ensure that advice and information
given in Product Data Sheets, Method Statements and Material Safety Data Sheets (all known as Product Literature) is accurate and correct. However, where Altro has no control over the selection of its products for particular applications, it is important that any prospective customer, user or specifier, satisfies him/herself that the product is suitable for the intended application. In this process, due regard should be taken of the nature and composition of the background/base and the ambient conditions both at the time of laying/applying/installing/curing of the material and when the completed work is to be brought into use.

However, as site conditions and the execution of the work are beyond our control, we accept no resultant liability.

Altro’s policy is one of continuous research and development and we reserve the right to update our products and information at any time without prior notice.