Title:

Floor Care

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 Floor Care

Floor Care Films

The Effect of Floor Polish Films on the Value and
the Hygiene Improvement of a Floor Surface

Floor Cleaning a
Requirement

The cleaning and care of non-

textile floorings is carried out The Authors:
with different methods and Martha Herzog; Wim van
procedures. However, Drunen
applications depend on the type
of floor to be cleaned and must INTERPOLYMER GmbH
be carried out systematically. Dr.-Wirth-Strasse 9a,
Cleaning measures include: 67454 Hassloch,
 general cleaning Germany
 intermediate cleaning
 basic wet-cleaning

Whereas continuous general

cleaning focuses only on the
removal of soil with damp or
wet-cleaning applications,
intermediate cleaning includes
the removal of tough soil or the
restoration of damaged areas of
the film, for instance with the
spray-cleaning application. In
order to remove a worn-off care
film and tough, crusted soil
basic chemical wet-cleaning
must be applied.

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Floor Care Film
Protects
the Floor
There are only a few types of
floors that require no additional
care to regular cleaning. These
are for instance polished or
uneven (due to splitting) stone
floors as well as ceramic tiles in
sanitary facilities (wet area).
Floors that require special care
apart from regular cleaning to
provide protection from
mechanical abrasion and
damage are:
 linoleum floors
 PVC vinyl floors
 sealed hard wood floors
 laminate floors
 elastomer floors
 stone floors, in part
Floorings without surface
coating have no even surface
and cause fast and irregular
abrasion. This leads to uneven
appearance with a porous
surface structure, marked by
cavities. Thus, in contrast to a
flat and smooth surface
structure soil easily aggregates
in the pores and in some cases
cannot be removed again
completely or, if at all, only with
extensive effort. Dirt articles
have penetrated the floor
surface. In case of a coated
surface, however, porous
regions of the surface are
restored which results in a
sealed, flat and smooth floor
care film. A coated surface can
be cleaned more easily and
thoroughly than an untreated
one.
Comparable tests with regards
to cleaning behaviour of
artificially soiled linoleum and
PVC vinyl floors have shown
significantly improved cleaning
results whenever the test strips
were treated with polymer
dispersions before the soiling.
This was also confirmed by field
tests (1). Coated floors allow
easier and simpler mechanical cleaning
than non-coated floors.
Floor Care Measures
The composition of the surface film
influences the soiling behaviour of the
floor which in turn is affected by the
cleaning procedure. Depending on the
choice of various generally applied care
methods such as mopping, spray-cleaning
and polymer dispersion care, there are
drastic discrepancies in the quality of the
resulting finish film on the floor.
Mopping
In the case of wet mopping, a care product
is added to the cleaning water in order to
accomplish cleaning and care
simultaneously using only one working
process. Besides cleaning, this deposits a
fine care film which results in a relatively
moderate shine increase on the floor
surface. However, minor unevenness of
the existing care film is cleared.
Spray-cleaning and polishing
When intermediate cleaning is carried out
using the spray-cleaner method a diluted
emulsion is applied to the floor and
followed by immediate polishing with a
single-disc machine (150-220 spins per
minute) with the purpose of sealing the
finish film while at the same time
removing soil. This leads to a durable
finish on the floor. Dirt particles thus only
adhere to the surface, meaning that they
remain on the surface only and can thus
be easily removed by damp cleaning (Fig.
1).
If polishing is carried out with so called
high-speed-machines (300-750 t/min) or
with ultra-high-speed machines (UHS
Machines approx. up to 2.500 t/min) the
previously applied floor-care film is sealed
even further without addition of any
dispersion. Therefore a very durable and
shiny floor-care finish with an anti-soiling
effect is crated (Fig. 2). For the general
cleaning with a wet mop it is thus
sufficient to work with all-purpose cleaners
in very low concentrations (dilution - 1:100
to 1:300).
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 walking marks, even in the case of very
intense mechanical exposure. It also has
Polymer Dispersions an anti-soiling effect and allows for easy
In order to protect heavily soil removal which reduces the general
frequented floor regions, e.g. cleaning time and effort considerably. The
walking paths, a polymer- film is formed by evenly wiping the applied
dispersion based film is polymer care-dispersion across the floor
especially effective and with a mop. This process is usually
reasonable. The water-based repeated 3 times, while allowing sufficient
polymer dispersions contained drying time for each layer before starting a
in such floor-care products new. During all this time the floor should
result in a smooth and durable not be walked on. An absolutely clean floor
film upon application and surface is an indispensable requirement.
drying. This protects the floor Therefore, previous thorough basic
from scratches, abrasion and cleaning is necessary, followed by
clear water moping, to completely remove all soil residues from the existing film
so that fresh coating with a clean neutral surface can be carried out. Polymers are
among the main components of floor-care products besides waxes, resins,
softeners, emulators and defoamers. The polymers used as watery dispersions
also affect the storage stability of the produced polymer dispersions and the
properties of the resulting finish in terms of gloss, durability, removableness and
surfactant resistance. The wax component, on the other hand, has a significant
effect on the surefootedness, polishability and restorability of worn-off regions of
the floor-care film (2-4). Appropriate laboratory assessment methods (5-6)
support the statements made about the quality features of floor-care products
and their resulting films.

Figure 1: The existing finish film can be cleaned and simultaneously sealed during the spray-
cleaning process with a single-disc machine so that dirt particles adhere only to the surface when
being walked on

Source: W. Lutz, R. Steinberger, Fachbuch Gebäudereinigung (Technical Book on Commercial

Cleaning), Verl. Lutz Fachbücher, Metzingen, Germany, 2005

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Figure 2: A high-
speed-or ultra-high-
speed-machine can
further seal the
previously applied
floor finish based
on polymer
dispersion so that a
sealed, shiny and
durable floor-care
film with an anti-
soiling effect is
formed

Source: W. Lutz, R.
Steinberger, Fachbuch Gebäu dereinigung (Technical Book on Commercial Cleaning), Verl. Lutz
Fachbücher, Metzingen, Germany, 2005

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Formulation of a floor started, although the polymer film stills
care contains dampness and remaining
particles of the volatile softener, which,
film however, have no negative effect on the
second application of the polymer
The formation process that dispersion.
takes place during the drying
phase following a previous wet Fig. 3 shows a diagram of the solidified
application of the polymer floor- floor-care film. The permanent plasticizer
care dispersion is very complex.
Various steps, starting with the
interaction of the dispersed
polymer particles with the wax
particles and their resulting
deformation and development
of agglomerates lead to the
formation of a melted-down film
which in turn creates the
polymerized evenly dispersed
care film on the floor surface.

Upon application of the polymer

dispersion a damp film with a
layer thickness of about one
millimetre initially develops on
the surface of the floor region
to be treated. Then the general
drying process at room
temperature sets in, during
which water and volatile
plasticizers evaporate. remains dispersed in the polymer film.
However, the water must The intermolecular spaces between the
evaporate faster than the deformed and linked polymer molecules
volatile softeners so that after have been filled by wax components and
about five minutes enough polymer molecules. These control the
water has evaporated for the polishability, durability and the non-slip
polymer-care dispersion to effect of the floor finish.
begin solidifying. At this
moment the permanent
plasticizer starts to dissolve the
polymer particles to the point of
Figure 3: Formation of the floor-care film from
deformation, which is when dispersed polymer and wax particles under the
they lose their cohesive influence of permanent softeners contained in the
molecular forces. polymer dispersion

Source: INTERPOLYMER
The gas transition temperature
of wax-like polyethylene
particles is below room
temperature, allowing them to
fill the intermolecular polymer
spaces without any problems,
after having absorbed the
plasticizers. At the same time
some of the polymer molecules
link together, especially those
with a low molecular weight.
After approximately 20 minutes
the finish already feels dry and
after 30 minutes the application
for the second layer can be

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Figure 4: Dispersion of the wax
component on the floor-care film: the
wax contained in the polymer
dispersion migrates to the surface of
the film during its formation (a). In wax-
grafted polymers (wax grafting) the
wax component remains dispersed
evenly homogenous on the floor-care
film (b)

Source: INTERPOLYMER

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Wax Grafted Polymers
Advancing technological
developments in the production
of polymer dispersions have led
to the application of wax
grafted polymers.
This technology, known as wax
grafting, chemically links the
wax composition to the
polymer. This leads to an even
dispersion of the wax particles
on the whole film layer which
results in improved film
properties (Fig. 4).
If wax-grafted polymers are
used there is no need for
additive wax components,
which simplifies the production
process of polymer dispersions.
Correspondingly, there is an
increase in the polymer
proportion from 40 to 70% in
the product to be formulated,
whereas the other components
remain at the same level.
Wax-grafted polymers are
processed more easily. Floor-
care products formulated with
such polymers are more elastic,
they show good compatibility
and keep glossiness and non-
slip effect stable even at high
speed (Table 1).
Polymers via
Megatran®-Technology
Further, polymers that are
obtained by applying the
Megatran®-Technology
(INTEROPLYMER) and which
contain sulphate or sulphonate
groups (7) generally possess a
higher emulsion stability, which
remains persistent throughout
the formation of the finish
during the drying period and is
not affected by high humidity in
the air.
The high emulsion stability of polymers
obtained according to the Megatan®-
Technology prevents micro-coagulation
while the film is being formed during the
drying period. Micro-coagulation reduces
the glossiness of a floor-care film.
Therefore, if micro-coagulation is
prevented the gloss of the floor coating
can be sustained. At the same time, also
mop movement-resistance is reduced
preventing so called mop-tilting.
Fig. 5 shows polymer films with a proper
film formation (a) and an in-
homogeneously flowing film due to micro-
coagulation (b). Further developments aim
at the creation of polymers which can be
applied as levelling agents without any
fluorine surfactant additives.
Hygienic Aspects
Special consideration must be given to the
hygienic aspect. Insufficiently cleaned floor
surfaces which additionally show porous
irregularities will continue to contain
germs even after cleaning. Thus, for
hygienic reasons, every possibility besides
the taking of sanitary measures should be
considered in order to create a
hygienically optimal room environment. A
purposeful approach to floor-care and
cleaning is therefore of utmost
importance. This applies especially in
health facilities such as hospitals, clinics,
doctor´s offices, residential homes for the
elderly and nursing homes.
Soil is one of the main causes for the
spread of diseases since even the smallest
remnants of it provide enough nutrients
for micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi,
yeasts and viruses) to multiply. Porous
surfaces where soil particles aggregate in
the pore cavities form a nutrient medium
for the growth of germs that is not to be
underestimated.
Lab-scale wipe-tests were made with a
wipe-on product for the cleaning of PVC
and linoleum floors which were
contaminated with a germ suspension of
micro-coccus flavus, homogenised with a
fat component. After the cleaning process
of the contaminated floors was completed
additional contact tests showed that
coated floors contained considerably less
colony forming germ units than un-coated
floors.
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Therefore, floors in health
facilities must be coated with a
durable and resistant care film
with a sealed surface that can
be excellently cleaned so that a
growth of germs is prevented.

For that purpose polymer

dispersions are most suitable
due to their formation of an
evenly flowing floor-care film.
This surface coating can be
polished with the high-speed
procedure and maintained with
the spray-cleaning procedure in
order to restore the film in
worn-off regions.

dvancing technological
developments in the production
of polymer dispersions have led
to the application of wax
grafted polymers.

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Product Type Product Name Properties
Acrylate basis
SYNTRAN® A-170 good walkability properties

SYNTRAN® 1220 good walkability properties, good

polishability
SYNTRAN® 1950 metal-salt-free, formulable without
fluorine surfactant
Megatran®
Technology SYNTRAN® MT high gloss, good walkability properties

SYNTRAN® MT 228 extremely high gloss after polishing,

good walkability properties, reduced care
effort

SYNTRAN® MT 240 good walkability properties,

reduced care effort

SYNTRAN® 1930 high gloss, metal-salt-free, polishable

Wax grafted
after spray application, simple
polymers
production
formulable without fluorine surfactant
Table 1: Comparing overview of the properties of differently prepared polymers (INTERPOLYMER) for
polymer containing floor-care dispersions

Figure 5: Flow of floor-care finish after

polymerization: (a) Flawless Flow (b) in-
homogenous flow with micro-coagulation

Source: INTERPOLYMER

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Formulations for
Polymer Dispersions

The films formed by polymer

dispersions are very resistant.
Their non-slip properties also
guarantee surefootedness.
Provided that restoring
measurers are taken at regular
intervals or polishing is applied
with a high-speed machine, the
coatings are very durable and
only in rare cases do they have
to be completely renewed
preceding prior basic cleaning.

This, of course, results in

economic as well as ecological
advantages. Polymer containing
floor-care films are compatible
with biological wastewater
treatment and lead to a
minimisation of the amount of
cleaner product necessary for
general cleaning. They are a
must for a rational and low-cost
general cleaning and contribute
to improved room hygiene
since soil and germs adhere
less to coated floors than to
uncoated ones.

Floor-care products with a

cleaning effect can also be
formulated and used in a
diluted form directly with the
cleaning water. With every
application these also create a
fine film during the cleaning
process, this does however lead
to multi-layers because the
previously formed film is only
restored with every new
cleaning process.

Formulations of different
polymer dispersions for a film
application; for the spray-
cleaning procedure and that for
a wipe-on cleaning agent based
on the SYNTRAN® and
MEGATRAN® range of polymers
are available on request.

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