Chemical resistant flooring in Ambala Sadar

Ambala's instrument and laboratory equipment makers use more chemicals than you might think. Glassware is cleaned, marked and sometimes etched. Metal parts for instruments are anodised, plated or passivated. Testing labs check products with acids and solvents. Most of this happens in small units where the floor was never designed for chemicals. The result is etched, crumbling concrete around sinks and tanks.

Glass etching: a special case

Glass marking and frosting often involve hydrofluoric acid or fluoride-based etching creams. Hydrofluoric acid is different from other acids. It attacks many materials that resist sulphuric or hydrochloric acid, including glass, some fillers used in resin floors and even some chemical resistant tiles. It is also extremely dangerous to people.

If your unit uses hydrofluoric acid or fluoride etchants, tell us at the start. The floor system and fillers have to be selected specifically for it, and in some cases a dedicated tray or containment is safer than relying on the floor. We will not recommend a standard "acid proof" floor for these areas.

Anodising, plating and passivation

Instrument makers who finish aluminium or steel parts use sulphuric acid for anodising, nitric or citric acid for passivation, and a range of plating chemicals. For splash and spill areas around these tanks, we usually recommend:

• novolac epoxy for sulphuric acid
• vinyl ester where oxidising acids like nitric acid are present
• coved linings up walls and tank plinths
• a slope to a lined sump so spills are contained

Testing labs and chemical stores

QC and testing labs need a floor that handles occasional splashes of acids, alkalis and solvents. A chemical resistant epoxy self levelling floor suits most of the lab, with a stronger lining under acid stores and fume cupboards. Chemical stores should have bunded, lined floors so a dropped container doesn't spread across the unit.

Working in small units

Many Ambala units have limited space and can't stop production for long. We usually suggest lining the high-risk zones first. That means areas around tanks, sinks, etching benches and stores. The rest of the floor can get a lighter coating. Doing the critical areas properly costs less than coating everything with a system that won't survive where it matters.

Our process

1. Review your chemical list, concentrations and temperatures.
2. Break out acid-damaged concrete and neutralise the substrate.
3. Repair the base and form falls to a sump if needed.
4. Prime, then apply the chemical resistant lining or screed.
5. Cove walls and plinths, and line bunds.
6. Allow a full cure before chemicals are used again.

FAQs

Our floor is badly etched around the sink area. Can it be repaired locally?

Yes. The damaged area is cut out, neutralised and rebuilt, then lined with a chemical resistant system tied into the surrounding floor.

Is epoxy resistant to hydrofluoric acid?

Most standard epoxy systems are not. Areas using hydrofluoric acid need a specially selected system, and sometimes separate containment trays.

How long before we can use chemicals again?

Usually after about a week of curing at normal temperatures. We confirm the date for your specific system.

Call +91-8755475716 or fill in the form below with your chemical list. More details are on our chemical resistant flooring page.