South African Conference on Polymers in Concrete, Berg-en-Dal, Kruger National Park Jun 20-23, 2000

10. Future Developments of Present Possibilities

It is difficult to compare the various systems at present on the market. As already mentioned, the matrix from the RILEM "Industrial Floors" TC can provide an initial starting point (Table 3). It appears to me to be important that products having the following properties are developed in the future:

• Wear of 2 mg (Taber)
• Free from solvent in the sense of the VOC guideline
• Resistance to UV light
• Application of 0.4 mm in one working pass
• Evenly applied by robot tools
• Outstanding aesthetic impression

A great deal of work needs yet to be invested if these requirements are to be satisfied. However, if we set them as our targets, we will achieve them. Vehicle paints illustrate what is possible today. Why should we not achieve the same for the sealing of industrial floors? It may also, perhaps, be possible to omit sealant altogether.