Polyurea vs. Polyaspartic: What's the Difference?
In the concrete coating industry, you will often hear the terms "polyurea" and "polyaspartic" used interchangeably. While they are closely related chemically, there are distinct differences in how they are applied and where they are best utilized in a flooring system.
What is Polyurea?
Polyurea is an elastomer that is highly flexible and cures incredibly fast (often in seconds). Because it cures so quickly, pure polyurea is very difficult to apply as a smooth floor coating by hand. It is typically sprayed on or used specifically for filling control joints and cracks where rapid curing and extreme flexibility are required.
What is Polyaspartic?
Polyaspartic is actually a specific type of aliphatic polyurea. Chemists modified the polyurea formula to slow down the cure time. This modification allows installers to roll the product onto a floor evenly. Polyaspartic retains the extreme durability and flexibility of polyurea but adds 100% UV stability (it will never yellow) and a manageable pot life for installation.
How We Use Both
At High Desert Armor, we use both technologies where they perform best. We use pure polyurea to mend cracks and fill joints because its extreme flexibility prevents the cracks from telegraphing through the floor. We then use polyaspartic for the clear topcoat because of its UV stability, scratch resistance, and flawless glossy finish.