By Peter Gibson
Before the Second World War, most pools were rectangular and made of concrete formed. These pools were often unfinished or decorated with clay tiles. After the war, pool paints that were not very durable and required constant reapplication were used.
Commercial pool construction started when rubber-based paints became available. Suburbs and huge housing developments began to take shape. Gunite and shotcrete were introduced to speed up construction. The pools are largely freeform, which does not encourage the use of tiles. Using paint would require an extra process to smooth out the gunite. The decision was made to use a basic white cement with marble aggregate for strength. This was then troweled over the gunite.
The construction process was then standardised by gypsum and plaster. Various other cementitious materials were introduced over the years ( for example specialty products such as pebble and quartz aggregate plasters). Cement-based products became the dominant materials in the pool industry. Construction companies adopted them widely. Over time, the performance and durability of these cement-based products began to deteriorate. Pool professionals started to think of alternative materials for finishing pools. Coatings companies began developing coatings that were specifically designed for pools. It was also a way of selling into the DIY market as it did not require professional application. These coatings were easy to apply by pool operators and homeowners, since they did not require high-level skills or expensive spray equipment. These products can be rolled on as opposed to industrial products that require high levels of skill and complex equipment.
What is polymeric material?
Polymeric materials consist of repeating long chains of molecules. The properties of polymeric materials depend on the type of molecules used, the way they are bonded, and the type of bond. The polymer will be determined by the molecules and types of bonds. There are hundreds of coating chemicals in the coatings industry. These chemicals will determine how the product is used. Pool coatings, for example, are subgroups that have chemistries which determine the performance and durability of the coating. Some polymers are flexible and pliable, while others, like epoxies or acrylic, are tough and durable.
Three primary groups of polymers are:
- Thermosetting resins are used as the base resins in the coatings industries. Curing systems can be chemical cures or initiators of free radical initiated polymerization.
- Thermoplastic–plastics for hot tubs and formed plastic products.
- Elastomeric–adhesives and sealants. These are products that allow for flexibility. The heat-response of these materials will determine the category.
Thermoplastics melt at high temperatures, but thermoset materials do not melt. They retain their shape and remain solid after curing.
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