What is Urethane Polymer Concrete?

Industrial Sand UPC System in a Food Processing Plant

Urethane polymer concrete is a high-performance material used in a variety of demanding flooring and coating applications. Unlike traditional cement-based concrete, urethane polymer concrete combines cement, aggregates, and urethane resins to create a system with enhanced properties. This unique composition results in a durable, chemical-resistant, and long-lasting solution for environments that require superior performance.

Urethane Polymer Concrete outperforms and outlasts epoxy, tile, VCT, concrete, and urethane-sand under extreme industrial conditions.

Key Components and Properties

Urethane polymer concrete typically consists of three main components:

• Resin: A urethane-based resin that acts as the primary binder.

• Hardener: A curing agent that, when mixed with the resin, initiates the hardening process.

• Aggregate: A blend of mineral fillers, such as quartz, silica, or other aggregates, that provide strength and bulk.

  
  

This combination gives urethane polymer concrete several advantages:

• Exceptional Durability: It can withstand heavy traffic, impact, and abrasion.

• Chemical Resistance: Resistant to a wide range of chemicals, including acids, alkalis, solvents, and oils.

• Thermal Shock Resistance: Able to handle rapid temperature changes without cracking or delaminating.

• Moisture Tolerance: Can be installed on substrates with high moisture content.

• Fast Cure Time: Offers a relatively quick return-to-service time.

• Hygienic: Provides a seamless, easy-to-clean surface that resists bacterial growth.

Common Applications

Urethane polymer concrete's robust properties make it suitable for a wide array of demanding environments, including:

• Food and Beverage Processing: Areas exposed to food byproducts, cleaning chemicals, and thermal cycling.

• Pharmaceutical and Biotech: Facilities requiring sanitary, chemical-resistant, and easy-to-clean surfaces.

• Chemical Processing: Environments with exposure to corrosive chemicals and solvents.

• Manufacturing and Industrial: Areas with heavy traffic, impact, and abrasion.

• Cold Storage and Freezers: Applications needing resistance to thermal shock and low temperatures.

• Healthcare: Areas needing hygienic, easy-to-clean, and durable flooring.

Common Systems built with KRETUS UPC

UPC is a versatile product that very successful in both high-performance and purely decorative applications. This adaptability stems from the inherent strength, chemical resistance, and customizable nature of UPC.

Industrial Sand System Diagram

For example, in demanding industrial environments, our Industrial Sand system leverages the robust nature of UPC combined with graded aggregates to create an extremely durable surface capable of withstanding high abrasion, impact, and heavy loads. Similarly, our UPC 1-Coat system provides a rapid, self-priming solution ideal for fast-paced industrial settings where downtime is critical, delivering the core benefits of UPC – strength and chemical resistance – in an efficient single application.

Introduction to KRETUS UPC

KRETUS® Urethane Polymer Concrete (UPC) is designed for the toughest environments, delivering reliable performance every time. Our UPC is a 100%-solids, 3-part system gives you the flexibility to mix and match components to tailor cure times, durability, and application thicknesses. Built to withstand industrial pressure washing, high abrasion, and extreme temperatures from -40°F to 266°F, UPC is a high-performance solution for both large and small jobs.

In general, UPC isn’t UV-resistant. That’s why we developed a color-stable UPC UV.

KRETUS UPC RC Buckets

We offer a comprehensive range of UPC formulations, each engineered to meet specific performance requirements:

• RC (Roll-Coat): Designed for thinner application as a standalone system or as a cap/top coating at 5-30 mils thick.

• SL (Self-Leveling): Has better flow and compressive strength than RC, works well as a base coat at 1/8-14" thick.

• MF (Medium-Fill): Low viscosity slurry with higher compressive strength than SL, applied at 1/8-1/4" thick.

• TT (Tight-Trowel): Highest compressive strength, extended with quartz or pea gravel, applied at 1/4-4" thick.

• VC (Vertical-Coat): For vertical wall coatings at 3-8 mils thick.

• WC (Wall Cove): For wall coving applications 1-10" high.

To get more details on our line of UPC, read our UPC Product Guide.