Hychem 266ESD LD — Conductive antistatic epoxy floor system, thin film, 2 × 0.2 L/m², for light traffic

Five layers, slab to surface:

• Concrete substrate — Ground or shot blasted to CSP 2 · 25 MPa min, 1.5 MPa surface tensile
• Hychem GP Epoxy Primer — Seals and keys the substrate · 6 m²/L
• Primer EC, conductive plane — Black conductive layer · 8 m²/L · connected to earth points
• 266ESD TC, first coat — 0.2 L/m² · conductive seal coat · nanotube conductive network
• 266ESD TC, second coat — 0.2 L/m² · aluminium oxide grit as required

Earth points are installed once the primer has cured, before the conductive plane goes down.

Each layer earns its place. The GP Primer seals the slab; Primer EC lays a continuous black conductive plane connected to the earth points; and two coats of 266ESD TC carry charge from the surface down through their carbon nanotube network to that plane. Because the conductive path is in the material itself, the copper tape and gridding a conventional ESD floor depends on is largely eliminated, and with it the most common cause of failed conductivity readings.

Where an area will carry vehicular or heavier traffic, the 266ESD HD system of GP Primer, Primer EC, 266ESD SL topping at 2 mm and 266ESD TC should be specified instead. Where a dissipative rather than conductive floor is required (Rg ≤ 10⁹ Ω), the Hychem 177ESD RC system should be specified. Neither is included in this standard nomination unless separately specified.

Do not substitute the build-up. Conductivity is a system property. Consumption rates, layer sequence and earthing layout are set together to achieve the specified resistance to earth. Substituting a layer, a product or a rate compromises the specified performance of the system.

Concrete must be a minimum 25 MPa compressive strength with 1.5 MPa surface tensile strength, cured a minimum of 28 days, firm, clean and dry. Prepare by grinding or shot blasting to the appropriate CSP in accordance with NACE 02203 or ICRI Technical Guideline No. 03732. Do not apply over damp surfaces or where rising moisture is present.

Apply between 10 and 30 °C with the substrate at least 3 °C above dew point. Observe 21 °C at less than 85 % RH, or 10 °C at less than 75 % RH, to avoid amine bloom. Primer EC applies between 15 and 25 °C at less than 80 % RH, a narrower window than the other layers, so plan works accordingly.

Substrate and air temperature, humidity, dew point, batch numbers and consumption rates are to be recorded through application and cure. These records, together with the between-coat and final conductivity results, form part of the completed project documentation.

• Hychem GP Epoxy Primer — A general purpose, solvent free epoxy primer that seals the prepared slab and anchors the system. Applied at 6 m²/L. Also used as an epoxy mortar for patching, re-levelling and forming falls where required. Earth points are installed once it has cured, before the conductive plane goes down. VOC content 14 g/L.
• Hychem Primer EC — A two component, solvent free black conductive layer, the conductive plane beneath Hychem ESD coatings. No odour, with excellent adhesion to concrete and masonry, and recommended for cleanrooms, electronics production, hospitals and pharmaceutical facilities. Applied at 8 m²/L and overcoated within 24 hours.
• Hychem 266ESD TC — The coloured, gloss conductive epoxy coating that forms the wearing and sealing surface of the LD system, applied in two coats at 0.2 L/m² each over Primer EC, with aluminium oxide grit broadcast into the final coat as required for slip resistance. Suited to light traffic areas.

Seamless gloss, with slip resistance fully customisable through the aluminium oxide grit broadcast into the final TC coat, set zone by zone to whatever rating the area demands and rated to AS/NZS 4586. Slip resistance testing of the actual finish can be arranged on request.

Light Grey N35 is the standard colour and is available for any size of area. The full range at hychemcolours.com.au is available subject to colour minimum order quantity. Conductive materials can subtly affect the finished colour, most evident in lighter shades, so confirm with a sample panel before the colour is locked in.

A conductive floor carries charge to earth faster than a dissipative one. Beyond protecting sensitive electronics, it prevents electrostatic charge accumulating in areas subject to fire and explosion risk, including solvent stores, munitions and hazardous goods handling.

Earth point locations are to be nominated by the electrical engineer or the builder and marked up on the floor plan before coating works begin. Once the system is down the position is fixed, and adding a point later means cutting into a finished floor.

Flooring applicator: Installs the earth point hardware within the floor build-up: the fixing into the slab, the copper tape connection, the stainless steel grounding plate and the terminal. This is done once the GP Primer has cured and before the Primer EC conductive plane is applied, so the point is encapsulated by the system. Also responsible for protecting the terminal through the remaining coats, and for cleaning it down once the system has cured.

Electrical engineer or licensed electrical contractor:

• Nominates the number and position of earth points for each area, in line with the minimums above and any project or client ESD control programme requirements.
• Connects each earth point terminal back to the building's electrical earth once the floor is fully cured.
• Confirms continuity of that connection and compliance with AS/NZS 3000 and relevant site electrical requirements.
• Certifies the earthing installation.

The floor cannot conduct charge to earth until the final connection is made. Connection to building earth is a hold point at the end of the works, not something to be picked up after handover. Confirm the electrical contractor has this in their scope and programme before coating works start.

The 266ESD coatings are industrial flooring finishes and may discolour under sustained ultraviolet exposure. This has no effect on performance and internal areas present no meaningful exposure. Store under shelter at 23 °C in original unopened containers. Full technical and safety data sheets are issued with this specification package.

• Resistance to earth testing between coats on all projects, documented for complete approvals
• A local Hychem technical rep on every job, with thorough ITPs for hold point sign-off
• Full local technical support before and after handover
• Samples or prototype panels supplied on request
• Test results issued as part of the handover package

Consistent results depend on the complete nominated build-up being installed to specification, subject to:

• Application by a Hychem approved applicator, to the build-up, sequence and consumption rates specified
• Substrate meeting the stated strength, cure and moisture requirements, prepared to the nominated CSP and verified prior to priming
• Environmental conditions observed and recorded through application and cure
• Batch numbers and consumption rates recorded for every coat
• Hychem hold point inspections attended and the ITP signed off at each stage
• No substitution of any product, layer or rate within the system

Substrate movement, structural cracking, rising moisture, and damage from misuse or impact remain outside Hychem's control and are the responsibility of the applicator and the builder.