This document is written as a general statement to address nora s stain resistance to chemical contamination however facilities must realize that it does not address all the chemicals and chemical compounds that are used in every facility, especially in labs and wet chemical labs in industrial settings or healthcare. We recommend the facility test, verify and establish a maintenance protocol that will help in cleaning the stains once the chemical is spilled on the floor. You should know that many of the stains will require mechanical maintenance with detergents to be used on stains older than 24 hours. When testing nora floor coverings for staining and chemical resistance it should be pointed out that in areas; e.g., hospital laboratories and schools in which numerous different chemicals are used, there is no floor covering which is able to meet all requirements. By choosing a floor covering in a muted color, possible stains can be adequately hidden and problems can be avoided in advance. Liquefied Gasses and Fuel Gases When liquefied gaseous substances come into contact with nora s floor coverings briefly Consequently, no continuous effects should normally be expected. When exposed briefly to liquid gases in a condensed refrigerated form such as liquid nitrogen, the media will run down like beads without damaging the surface and will convert immediately into gases. The same reaction should be expected from other gases in liquid condition. Our nora floor coverings will suffer no damage if exposed only briefly to liquid gases. Exposure time is limited to (< 1 minute). Times of exposure of > 1 minute (e.g. in filling stations where a relief valve is directed to the floor) will cool down the floor and sub floor to approximately 50 C. This may lead to embitterment coupled with the formation of cracks, thus causing long-lasting damage to the flooring surface. Note: Some process and fuel gases are excessively toxic and aggressive gases, which normally fail to reach the atmosphere and, therefore, to act upon the floor covering. Base, Acids and Corrosive Agents When nora floor coverings are exposed to acids or high ph (i.e. sodium hydroxide), they showed no damage under the affects of diluted acids (approximately 10%) or Sodium Hydroxide (approximately 20%) within a brief or normal time of exposure. Concentrated acids may lead to discolorations after lengthy contact (24 hours). This is particularly true for hydrofluoric acid, sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and perchloric acid.
ACIDS Sulfuric Acid (77%) No Change Light yellow stain, Surface dulling Sulfuric Acid (5%) No Change Slight surface dulling Nitric Acid (Conc.) No Change Surface 98 Nitric Acid (5%) No Change Slight surface dulling Hydrochloric Acid (Conc.) No Change Slight surface 99 Hydrochloric Acid (5%) No Change Slight surface dulling Hydrofluoric Acid (Conc.) No Change Slight surface dulling 99 Hydrofluoric Acid (5%) No Change Slight surface dulling Acetic Acid (Conc.) No Change Slight surface 99 Acetic Acid (5%) No Change Slight surface dulling Sodium Hydroxide (20%) No Change No Change Ammonium Hydroxide (28%) No Change No Change Trisodium Phosphate No Change No Change 99 Solvents Small solvent quantities should be considered as uncritical as they evaporate within a relatively short period of time. Larger quantities, especially chlorinated hydrocarbons like aromatic compounds (xylene, toluol), may cause the floor coverings to swell and therefore to soften, thus modifying the shore hardness. From that time on, the floor coverings will be sensitive to mechanical stresses. Alcohols and ketones produce much milder effects. After removal of the solvents, followed by a certain time of evaporation (approximately 24 hours), the swelling will disappear and the shore hardness will adjust again to the initial hardness involved. 2
Laboratory Chemicals These chemicals are mainly crystalline substances which may be swept away from the floor covering when dry without causing any alterations. If humidity is involved over a lengthy period of time metals may suffer, however, discolorations by contact may occur (e.g. iron = formation of rust). Soluble, color chemicals (e.g. chromium VI oxide, potassium bichromate) may equally lead to discolorations of the floor covering surface as a result of humidity. Some of these discolorations can be removed by means of special stain removing agents. Oils and Greases Animal and vegetable oils and greases as well as mineral oils, hydraulic oils and lubricants cause a lasting softening under permanent effects on our standard floor coverings. Largely oil- and grease-resistant special floor coverings are included in our range of products for this particular application. However, some hydraulic oils and drilling oils also contain emulsifying agents, anticorrosion and antifreeze agents and they should therefore be adequately tested right from the start (test tile). It should basically be pointed out that not a single floor covering is capable of meeting all the demands imposed in areas like laboratories where the activities involve a large number of chemicals. Possible discolorations are covered up if one chooses a floor covering with a subdued color. This will prevent the emergence of problems in the future. Note: We shall be pleased to place a tile of the floor covering quality involved at your disposal for testing purposes. Please do not hesitate to contact our Account Executives/Agents in charge of your area. 3
Isopropyl Alcohol (91%) Slight surface dulling Slight surface dulling Methyl Alcohol Slight surface dulling Slight surface dulling Ethyl Alcohol Slight surface dulling Slight surface dulling Butyl Alcohol Slight surface dulling Slight surface Phenol No Change Slight surface Benzene Slight surface dulling Slight surface Xylene Slight surface dulling Slight surface Cresol No Change Surface Gasoline (unleaded) Slight surface dulling Surface Mineral Oil* No Change Surface Carbon Tetrachloride No Change Slight surface Chloroform No Change Trichloroethylene** Acetone Methyl Ethyl Ketone Slight surface Surface Surface Amyl Acetate No Change Surface Silver Nitrate (5%) No Change Brown/Black Stain Ethyl Acetate No Change Surface Ethyl Ether No Change Formaldehyde (40%) Slight surface dulling Slight surface dulling Creosote Yellow Stain Dark Brown stain, surface Methyl blue Light stains Light stains Ethyl Ether Slight surface dulling 4
Formaldehyde (40%) No Change No Change Creosote Yellow Stain Dark Brown stain, surface 99 Thimerosal No Change Pink stain 99 Iodine No Change No change Bleach (5.25% NaOCl) No Change Slight change in surface color Ink ball point pen No change No change Tar No Change No change Urine No change No change Grapes No change No change will leave sugar/drink residue Fruit/Soft Drinks No change No change will leave sugar/drink residue Coffee/Tea No change No change will leave sugar/drink residue Power/Energy Drinks No change No change will leave sugar/drink residue Issued By: Haim BarNoy Issue Date: August 2008 5