Abstract

Over the last decade, changes in environmental government regulations have necessitated the reformulation of many historically durable adhesives used in the application of flooring materials. The most popular flooring adhesives traditionally used solvents containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but government-prescribed regulations that limit or restrict VOCs resulted in dramatic changes to most traditional flooring adhesives. Adhesives with VOC-containing solvents were replaced with water-based or 100 % solids adhesive formulations. While these new formulations may reduce the environmental impact of new flooring installations, new adhesives are less durable and more susceptible to moisture-related deterioration. Within the past ten years more moisture-related flooring failures have occurred as adhesive systems have switched away from the proven VOC-containing technology to a newer, low VOC-compliant technology. If the concrete is not properly sealed or allowed to dry, the moisture inherent to concrete substrates can break down, re-emulsify, and dissolve moisture-sensitive flooring adhesives. Consequentially, applied flooring materials can delaminate, buckle, blister, and crack. This paper will compare the composition of newer moisture-sensitive flooring adhesives with that of their VOC-containing predecessors, and describe the properties of the adhesives that reduce overall durability. Case studies of flooring failures resulting from moisture-related deterioration of adhesives will be presented for various flooring materials including carpet tile, sheet vinyl, and vinyl composition tile flooring. Recommendations for repairing failed flooring and providing durable new flooring installations using moisture-sensitive adhesives will also be included.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
adhesive, concrete, floor, VOCs, moisture

References

1.
40 CFR Part 763
, “
Asbestos: Manufacture, Importation, Processing, and Distribution in Commerce Prohibitions; Final Rule
,” Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., July 12,
1989
.
2.
40 CFR Part 763
, “
Asbestos: Manufacture, Importation, Processing, and Distribution in Commerce Prohibitions; Effects of Court Decision
,” Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., April 2,
1992
.
3.
40 CFR Part 763
, “
Asbestos: Manufacture, Importation, Processing, and Distribution in Commerce Prohibitions
,” Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., Nov 5,
1993
.
4.
“
Carpet Policy Dialogue Compendium Report
,” United States Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., Sept 27,
1991
.
5.
Rule 1168, 2005
, “
Adhesive and Sealant Applications
,” South Coast Air Quality Management District, Diamond Bar, CA.
6.
40 CFR Part 59
, “
National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Architectural Coatings
,” Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., Sept 11,
1998
.
7.
ASTM Standard F1869
,
2011
, “
Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride
,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org.
8.
ASTM Standard F2170
,
2009
, “
Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using In Situ Probes
,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org.
9.
CRI-104-2002, 2002, “Standard for Installation Specification of Commercial Carpet,” Carpet and Rug Institute, Dalton, GA.
10.
RFCI IP#2, 2005, “Recommended Installation Practice for Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT),“ Resilient Floor Covering Institute, Rockville, MD.
11.
American Concrete Institute
, “
Guide for Concrete Slabs that Receive Moisture-Sensitive Flooring Materials
,” Report No. 302 2R-06,
American Concrete Institute
, Farmington Hills, MI,
2006
.
This content is only available via PDF.
All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or copied, in whole or part, in any printed, mechanical, electronic, film, or other distribution and storage media, without the written consent of ASTM International.
You do not currently have access to this content.