When polymers fail: A case report on a defective epoxy resin flooring

A case of failure of an epoxy flooring is presented. The cause of the damage has been found in a wrong formulation of one of the layers, that contained an anomalous quantity of solvents, which produced a plasticization of the resin with a consequent loss in mechanical properties. Differential scanning calorimetry, solid phase micro-extraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and wide angle X-ray diffraction were employed. No significant difference in the degree of reticulation was detected between the defective samples and a reference specimen coming from the manufacturer. After evaporation of the solvents in excess, the resins completely recovered their mechanical properties. The responsibility of the failure was charged to the negligence of the manufacturer in the formulation of the resins.