Plastic Origin Floor Covering Materials
Today, plastics have come to a very important position. Now, the usage area of plastics includes a wide range of uses from the machinery industry to the film industry, from household goods to architectural materials and elements.
Plastic materials started to be evaluated starting from the Second World War years and taking into account their superior qualities. It met the needs of the period as a result of its cheap and light material and its suitability for mass production, and appealed to large masses as a result of its cheapness.
Plastics were first used mostly in decorative parts and parts that do not carry a significant load. The factors that led to the use of plastics were that plastics are cheap and light, do not corrode and can be easily colored.
Plastics were affected by heat, sunlight and chemicals, and cracks and deterioration were seen on the outer surfaces. In addition, the desired performance could not be obtained from plastic materials due to deformations caused by creep and low modulus of elasticity.
Despite all this, engineers and designers who are serious about using plastics have started to look more carefully at how to actually design with plastics. At the same time, they began to demand products of higher quality from raw material producers, whose properties did not change from batch to batch. Because the properties of the first polymers varied from batch to batch. This reduced the quality and life of the final product.
For these reasons, the design with plastics has developed gradually. Over time, designers have gained more knowledge and experience on how to work with these materials, which have low modulus of elasticity and resistance, and are more temperature sensitive and time dependent. At the same time, raw material producers have started to produce higher quality raw materials.
PLASTIC BUILDING MATERIAL
Macromolecular, organic compounds that do not exist in nature as a result of the change of molecular and amorphous structures and the creation of new bonds in the form of polymerization and condensation of natural substances such as minerals, petroleum, wood, which are organic compounds of carbon, especially hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. based materials are called plastic resin.
The name plastic comes from the Greek word Plastikos, which means forming, moulding.
On the other hand, it is possible to define plastic construction materials as types of various plastic resins with different properties, which are produced by forming the desired shape as a result of the polymerization of two different compounds, while in a soft state under heat, in accordance with the desire to be used in the building.
CLASSIFICATION OF PLASTICS
Thermoplastics: Thermoplastics are also called polyplasts. They are plastics that soften when heated and can be shaped. The distinctive feature of these plastics is the temporary change of temperature in polymer structures. The change depends on the state of the molecular bonds of the plastic. The molecular bonds of thermoplastics, which are solid and stable when cold, soften when heated. For example; PVC softens at 76°C. This is called the thermoelastic state of the plastic. Thermoelastic plastic can be shaped. In general, thermoplastics begin to soften at 60°C, and they can be given the desired shape while in dough. If thermoplastics are heated to exceed the thermoelastic limit, the loosened molecules begin to slip. The plastic body, whose molecules slide, becomes fluid. Thermoplastic, which has become fluid, can no longer be converted to its original state. In this case, the molecules of the plastic are slippery, but not separated from each other. The paste-like plastic can be reshaped. The same feature gives the possibility of joining such plastics together by boiling.
Thermoplastics can be examined in five main groups.
A. Cellulose plastics
B. Vinylic resins
C. Polyacrylic resins (PMMA: plexiglass)
D. Polyvinylic resins (PVC, PVA)
E. Polyamides (PA)
Cellulose plastics; They are produced from ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate butyral and cellulose butyrate. Cellulose nitrate, which was used for the first time in making billiard balls in 1870, was obtained by dissolving cotton fibers in HNO3. Molded cellulosic parts are used over a wide temperature range. They have low thermal conductivity.
Plexiglas, a polyacrylic resin, is resistant to weak acids and bases, benzol and oils. Some of the solvents affect the plexiglass. Plexiglass is hard, scratch resistant, shiny and transparent. Colored opaque or transparent colored varieties can be produced by adding paint. Sold in sheet form in various thicknesses, plexiglass can be cut with a saw, smoothed with a grater, drilled with a drill, glued and shaped by heating.
Nylon (polyamide), the first engineering plastic, has a wide range of properties depending on its types. In general, these materials have very good fatigue strength, good frictional strength, low friction coefficient and fairly good impact strength, good chemical resistance and electrical nonconductivity.
Thermosetting plastics: Thermosetting plastics are also called monoplasts. This type of plastic is comparable to the structure of concrete. Concrete is a mixture of cement and sand that hardens as a result of chemical reaction with water. Cement can be seen as a binder that binds the grains of sand together. The structure formed as a result of the chemical reaction caused by water is definite and becomes a solid substance that retains the form in which it is poured. This comparison with concrete is a good way to understand the behavior of thermosetting resins. Similarly, bakelite is formed as a result of the reaction of phenol and formol and is mixed with wood sawdust as a binder. When the mixture is poured into the mold, it turns into plastic with the effect of pressure and temperature and fills all the details of the mold. As a result of the reaction of phenol and formol, the mass hardens and the shape is determined. The resulting mass cannot be re-softened by temperature and is no longer affected by chemical solvents that could previously melt it.
Thermosetting plastics are evaluated in six main groups:
A. Phenoplasts
B. Aminoplasts
C. Polyepoxies
D. Polyesters (example: glass reinforced plastic)
E. Silicones
F. Polytyretans
FRP, which is one of the thermosetting plastics, is formed from polyester resin with glass fibers. It is formed by the melting of glass at high temperature. Production; It can be made in three cases as sheet, piece or ball. The fibers in the form of layers are used in the fabric industry. Piece and ball glass fibers are used to reinforce the polyester resin.
FRP, hand nesting and spraying for few large parts; compression molding of molded sheets for a plurality of medium-sized parts; For small parts, they are processed by methods such as cold pressing and transfer molding. Polyester resins are available in the form of preform, mass molding component and sheet molding component. Preform resins are the type of polyester blended with thermoplastic resins and reinforced with glass fiber. This resin is used for molding large, smooth-walled parts with smooth surfaces that can be painted without the need for sandblasting. This resin has the highest strength. The mass molding component is the variant reinforced with resin, short glass fibers, catalyst and other additives. Suitable for medium-sized, thin-walled, mixed parts (embossing), this resin is also produced as a thread by extrusion; its strength is quite low, but the surface quality is good. Sheet molding component resins are reinforced with long glass fibers, catalysts and other additives. Parts obtained from this resin, suitable for mixed parts, have very good surface quality and moderate strength. Glass fibers reaching up to 65% can be continuously oriented or random. Polyester can also be found in the form of a coating that solidifies under ultraviolet rays. Especially the mechanical properties of polyester are very different depending on the amount of glass and other additives. However, its thermal and electrical properties are generally good. There are varieties of the material that can be used in resin, transparent, translucent and opaque.
HISTORY
XX. The first developments on plastics, which is a material of the 19th century. It is seen in the industrial field in the century.
XIX. Towards the middle of the century H. Bracconat (French.), C.F. As a result of independent studies of Schonbein (German) and A. Parker (British), the first plastic was obtained from cellulose-nitrate. Also, in 1869, J.W. With the celluloid billiard ball Hyatt obtained from cellulose-nitrate, plastic became the first industrial product.
Following this, Bakelite was found in 1919, PVC in 1927, Urea and Melamine in 1929, Polyacrate in 1931, Polyamide and Nylon in 1949, Polyethylene and Silicone in 1943, and Epoxy in 1948. Today, continuous studies are carried out on plastics and new types are revealed.
In the field of architecture, plastic development began with aesthetics, in search of plastic forms, before technology. Especially in 1905, Gaudi (Casa Mila) was the first architect to bring this plastic understanding to buildings. In 1940-41, many architects carried out prefabrication studies for plastic housing construction and various studies for the production of plastic facade panels, frames, wings and lighting elements.
PLASTIC USAGE AND FORM IN THE BUILDING
The discovery of many chemical types of plastic materials and the ability to produce hundreds of compounds of all kinds have led to an increasing use of plastic materials. However, the way in which the type of plastic is used varies according to its individual characteristics and place of use. For example;
PVC, ease of production and cheapness,
Polyurethane foam, lightness and high insulation value,
It is suitable for casting as polyester and ABS, glass and mica reinforced and its mechanical strength,
Phenolic, Urea, Melamine and Alkyl hardness and resistance to chemical effects,
Melamine mixtures, colorability and impact resistance,
Epoxy, high binding value,
Although Nylon, Polyethylene and Polypropylene are brittle when produced as thick, they have flexibility and weaving feature when in yarn form,
I imposed Teflon, high temperature and mechanical effects',
Alkyds are preferred in construction because of their transparency.
It is possible to classify the use of plastic materials in five groups: shell and plate elements, profile elements, protective thin coatings, binders and additives, cover and weaving.
Shell and Plate Elements: The usage areas of such elements, which are produced by pressure molding and casting method, are very diverse. For example, polyester and ABS are used for the production of monoblock houses, caravans, water tanks and furniture, PVC, polyethylene and polyaxylate for the production of wall, flooring, roofing plates and transparent sheets, PVC, polystyrene and polyamide are used for the production of fine construction elements and plumbing fixtures.
Profile Elements: PVC, polypropylene and polyethylene plastics, which are generally produced by the extrusion method, can be counted in the production of fine structural elements such as joinery, plumbing pipes, handrails and skirting boards.
Protective Thin Coatings: In this group, we can count melamine applied as a superficial hard coating on artificial wood materials, acrylic and PVA-based materials applied to the wall as ready-made plaster, and acrylic and PVA-based materials applied to the wall in this group.
Adhesives, Insulation and Additives: PVA, PVC and double-mixed phenol known as cold glue, tire formaldehydes and polyester type plastic glues, polyurethane foams used in heat and sound insulation, polyurethane, Teflon and polystyrene used as joint filler, especially mortar and various plastic additives known as Tricosal and Ecosal patent names, which are added to give concrete various properties.
Covering and Weaving Elements: Nylon, polyethylene and nitrocellulose PVC which are generally produced by extrusion and wrapping methods, in the construction of inflatable systems and beams, in suspended-tension systems, as waterproof cover material, steam and water-proof insulation materials, as well as various synthetic fibers by weaving as fine fibers. It is used to make fabrics.
In our country, polyethylene, PVC, polypropylene and polystyrene are produced in Izmit Petkim facilities as plastic raw materials, while others are supplied from foreign countries. Plastic construction materials made in our country are various profile and cast plastic elements such as ready-made plasters (in buckets of 20 kg), waterproof thin coatings, joint fillers, concrete additives, paint, joinery, transparent boards, furniture, pipes. It is possible to find them in the market under various patent names.
LINOLEUM ( LINOLIUM)
The first use of linoleum in a wide range begins with the British company Fredick Walton's Pantentiles in 1860. Plain linoleum was a popular floor covering until the mid-1930s when decorative linoleum was developed. Dark asphalt mattresses were developed in the 1920s in America. In the next 10 years, mattresses obtained by mixing fiber asbestos, mineral powder and light-colored resins began to be used.
In England, asphalt tile (asphalt mattress) was used for a different product. It was used for thermoplastic mattresses. Later, vinyl contained asbestos, which was developed and presented at the Chicago world's fair in 1933. Finally, vinyl was further developed, which did not contain a high content of polyvinyl claride resin. The variety of floor coverings with smooth surfaces increased a lot after World War II and plastics were developed considerably. Although traditional linoleum continued to be used after World War II, asphalt, cork, rubber, vinyl asbestos and many vinyl varieties gained significant popularity. A new development in the 1960s was the coating system obtained by direct floor application of epoxy resin.
RAW MATERIALS
Linoleum is a material that consists of natural raw materials, is biodegradable, has a long life and does not harm the environment. raw materials; linseed oil, wood chips, resin, limestone and pigments.
flax plant; After the flax plant blooms, it forms seeds, which are crushed to obtain linseed oil. In ancient times, linseed oil was mostly used as cooking oil, it was also used as fuel for enlightenment. Also, wood treated with linseed oil better withstands harsh weather conditions and makes the material both water and weather resistant when driven into the sails of ships. Seeds are of two kinds; one type has a long stem and produces a low number of seeds, suitable for making linen fabric. The other type has a short stem and produces many seeds, it is a good raw material for oil extraction.
The flax plant is still grown for its fibers to supply the basic material for the flax industry, as well as for its seeds to produce linseed oil for the soap and dye industry, and of course for the manufacture of linoleum.
wood shavings; Wood shavings are added to the linoleum to give it fullness. Sawdust obtained from timber from forest areas is used, not tropical hard wood shavings.
Mushroom shavings; Cork is flexible and provides thermal insulation. Cork shavings is the ground bark of cork oak. Removing the bark does not affect the growth of the tree. Cork oak grows in Mediterranean countries and Portugal has the largest area in this regard.
Rosin; In addition to oxidized linseed oil, resin is also used as a filler. The resin is drawn from pine trees. This process does not affect the growth of the tree.
Limestone; Very finely ground limestone is an essential raw material for all smooth floor coverings.
Pigments; ecologically sensitive, lead and cadmium free pigments are used.
Jute; used to make the back part of the floor covering. The threads of the weaving are woven from the fibers of the jute plant. Jute is grown in India and Bangladesh.
PRODUCTION OF LINNOLIUM
While manufacturing linoleum; linseed oil and resin are mixed in oxidation boilers. By supplying air to the boilers and simultaneously increasing the temperature, oil and resin are oxidized to become linoleum cement, which is a binding material. Other raw materials such as wood chips, limestone and pigments are then added to the cement to be mixed into the granulated linoleum to be wrapped in a jute backing. Finally, the linoleum is hung in large drying chambers to dry and achieve the required flexibility.
After passing the laboratory tests for compliance with standards, linoleum is subjected to water-based ETC application, which is a protective layer that facilitates floor maintenance and extends product life.
Linoleum Real: Linoleum Real is especially used in healthcare establishments, educational institutions, airports, public buildings etc. It has a unique marble-like structure that provides floors that are extremely suitable for corporate applications such as Linoleum Real is increasingly used in offices, restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues and also in homes. 2 mm for domestic and light-duty use. thick material is sufficient. Medium-duty to heavy-duty use will require a thickness of 2.5mm. In places that are subject to a lot of wear, such as entrances and bank fronts, a thickness of 3.2 mm is recommended.
Linoleum Fresco: Linoleum Fresco is available in elegant and multi-colored models in trendy colors that apply to any decoration, be it contemporary or classic, personal or business use, in an astonishing way. Linoleum Fresco designs are very suitable for both workplaces and homes, and are made to provide floor coverings that are flat in appearance, but also dirt-free. Linoleum Fresco; All of them are manufactured in two different thicknesses, 2.0 mm and 2.5 mm.
Plain Linoleum Walton: Linoleum Walton is manufactured in a standard thickness of 2.5 mm and is suitable for use both in homes and in areas subject to severe shrinkage.
Corklinolium: Although it is produced from natural raw materials, it contains a high percentage of cork particles instead of wood. Cork particles provide the feet warm, sound insulation, elastic, shock absorbing and slip resistant. All of these features make it a good choice for floors in all of these light-traffic areas that need underfoot comfort and quietness, such as gyms, practices, nurseries, bedrooms. It is manufactured in 3 different thicknesses; 3.2 mm is recommended for all other areas where traffic is not heavy, 4.5 mm, 6.0 mm depending on the desired heat resistance and elasticity level.
Corkment: Corkment subfloor material can be used in combination with Linoleum Real, Linoleum Fresco and Plain Linoleum Walton to reduce impact sound by approximately 14dB. Corklinoleum-Corkment combination; It prevents damage to joints and other injuries by providing maximum floor elasticity and shock absorbing properties in gymnasiums, sports halls, practice and rehabilitation centers.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF MATERIALS
The technical properties of plastic-based flooring materials are evaluated according to the following criteria;
Fire resistance
Puncture resistance
Dimensional stability
Resistance of wheel loads
Resistance to chemicals
Light resistance
Impact sound reduction feature
Heat conduction resistance
Electrical resistance
Wear resistance