Confusion Surrounding Polyurea Coating and Polyaspartic Coating
Polyurea Coating vs Polyaspartic Coating? We have had a few of you ask “Is Polyurea Coating better than Polyaspartic Coating?” We would like to answer that question, look deeper into Polyurea vs Polyaspartic and clear up some misunderstandings.
Polyurea Coating and Polyaspartic Coating – they sound similar, are they?
Polyaspartics are Polyureas – A little history:
The first people who invented and received the first patents for Polyaspartic, Covestro, are the world-leading supplier of high-tech polymer materials. In the 1990’s Bayer Material Science (now Covestro), introduced Polyaspartic. Without trying to get too technical (if you want technical – see our supplier Slide-Lok’s blog on this), here is their statement.
“Per your request, we will clarify the differences between polyaspartic and polyurea …. By definition, a polyaspartic polymer is an aliphatic polyurea because it is the reaction of an aliphatic polyisocyanate with an aliphatic diamine – the polyaspartic ester.”
Todd Williams, Technical Service, Covestro AG
The key takeaway here is that polyaspartic polymers are a type of polyurea, an aliphatic polyurea to be exact. However, not all polyurea polymers are true polyaspartics. This is because a polyaspartic is only created when you use an aliphatic polyisocyanate reacted with an aliphatic diamine – the polyaspartic ester. Conventional polyurea polymers on the other hand can be created using aromatic polyisocyanates and amines.
Ok, sorry that did get a bit technical!
Here is the Important part once you get past the technical:
Why is Polyaspartics Coatings better than Polyurea Coating
Polyurea vs Polyaspartic -Aliphatic paints and coatings like Polyaspartics are light stable, and better at resisting yellowing from UV exposure (sunlight) because they don’t contain benzene rings. Aromatic compounds like conventional polyureas are susceptible to UV degradation. Polyurea floor coatings is not as good as Polyaspartic garage floor coating.
Currently, there is no 100% aliphatic epoxy floor coating. Thus, all epoxy floor coatings and conventional polyureas contain aromatic compounds. They are subject to UV photodegradation, yellowing, and impaired mechanical properties. Many coatings manufacturers claim UV stability in their epoxies, but all they have done is buy time. Studies show delayed UV degradation when using organic UV absorbers in epoxy formulations.
Polyurea Coatings vs Polyaspartic
Polyurea vs Polyaspartic – Remember when choosing your product – Aromatic coatings, which include epoxies and conventional polyureas are therefore not recommended for applications exposed to sunlight. This would mean your epoxy and polyureas are not recommended.
CONCLUSION: Polyurea vs Polyaspartic – Polyureas Are Not Better Than Polyaspartics
In summary, if you’re being told “Polyurea coatings are better than polyaspartic coatings” you should probably RUN. This is NOT TRUE as polyaspartics are a type of polyurea.
Anyone telling you that their product is superior to Polyaspartic is hoping you will not do your homework. If they are telling you it is the same, they are trying to confuse you. As we stated above if you want to get into more a technical description, read this article from our supplier, Slide-Lok.
The polyaspartic naming convention was used to differentiate it from other polyureas and polyurethanes that are inferior in performance.  Don’t settle for a polyurea garage floor coating as it is most likely aromatic and susceptible to UV degradation (yellowing). And it is prone to adhesion or wetting issues since those materials gel in seconds versus 30-60 minutes for polyaspartics. Polyaspartic, aliphatic polyurea, coatings are better for flooring applications.
Polyaspartic floor coating is a relative newcomer to the garage floor coating world. Polyurea garage floor coating has been around for longer, and in that time, it has proved itself to be an effective way to protect concrete floors from wear and tear.  However, Polyaspartic floor coating, on the other hand, was developed specifically for industrial applications. It wasn’t until recently that it was adapted for use in residential settings. So, what are the advantages of Polyaspartic floor coating over polyurea garage floor coating? For starters, Polyaspartic floor coating is much more durable than polyurea coating. It is also significantly more resistant to both heat and cold. This makes it ideal for use in garages, which can be subject to extreme temperature swings. In addition, Polyaspartic coating is much easier to apply than polyurea coating. And finally, the Polyaspartic coating dry much faster than polyurea garage floor coating, so you won’t have to wait as long to enjoy the benefits of your new garage floor.
Polyurea and Polyaspartic coatings are both options for garage floor coatings, but ultimately, Polyaspartic is the superior option. It’s more durable and lasts longer. If you’re asking, where can I find Polyaspartic floor coating near me, just contact us today and we would be happy to help you get started!
This is why that is the only product we offer, and why we can offer such a good warranty.
See Our Process to Coat A Garage Floor
