APPENDIX B Report on Field Experiments At the end of the 1968 report on the field study of floor coverings [7], the author suggested a program of field experiments, in which the materials and installation conditions would be known and could be controlled as closely as practicable. As a step in this direction, three experiments were conducted by the author to determine the suitability of flooring and floor finishes for certain applications and to determine the relative wear of these flooring products. The results to date follow: B.a. Comparison of Durability of Monolithic Surfacings and Abrasive Two brush-on monolithic surfacings and an abrasive sheet vinyl were Test of Decorative Acrylic Surfacings with Vinyl Chips A polyvinyl acetate emulsion was applied After this coat dried, a "wet coat" In January 1969, the corridor was cleaned thoroughly with alkaline detergent and rinsed with water. A commercial decorative brush-on coating system was then applied. to the concrete floor as a sealer. of acrylic lacquer was brushed on. This lacquer was a solution in organic solvent of polymethyl methacrylate and polycyclohexyl methacrylate, as determined by infrared spectra observations at the National Bureau of Standards. While the "wet coat" was still wet, colored vinyl chips were sprinkled over the lacquer to cover the surface. After the lacquer dried, the floor was swept free of loose vinyl chips and a second "wet coat" was brushed on. After this coat had dried, the floor was swept again and a third "wet coat" was applied by brush. The next day the floor was sanded lightly and a final coat of acrylic lacquer was brushed on. After seven months, in August 1969, the coating was worn through in a number of places but the bond was still good. There was overall pitting, probably due to the vinyl chips being pulled out. After one year service, |