Polyaspartics

A polyaspartic coating is a type of aliphatic polyurea that was originally developed as a fast-curing, UV-stable alternative to traditional epoxy and aromatic polyurea coatings. Polyaspartic coatings belong to the broader family of polyurea coatings but are distinguished by their extended pot life, excellent light stability, and ability to cure across a wide temperature range. These properties make polyaspartic floor coatings one of the most versatile and high-performance options available for concrete floor protection.

HTS Chemical manufactures two polyaspartic floor coatings: PAS-100 and PAS-200. Both are 100% solids, aliphatic systems with less than 1 g/L VOCs and zero HAPs. They deliver a high-gloss, scratch-resistant finish with excellent chemical resistance against acids, bases, oils, and organic solvents. Because they are aliphatic chemistry, HTS polyaspartic coatings are fully UV-stable and will not yellow, amber, or chalk in direct sunlight or under fluorescent lighting.

PAS-100 is a fast-cure formulation — ready for light foot traffic in 4-6 hours and full cure in 24 hours. Its rapid turnaround makes it the go-to choice for projects with tight schedules or facilities that need to return to service quickly. PAS-200 offers a longer working time, giving applicators more time to back-roll, broadcast flake, or work large floor areas before the material begins to set. PAS-200 is ready for light traffic in 10-12 hours with full cure in 48 hours. Both products are fully compatible with HTS epoxy primers (PMR-100, PMR-60 WB) and base coats (EPX-100, EPX-100 HV), making them ideal as UV-stable topcoats over epoxy systems.

Polyaspartics and epoxy coatings are both excellent floor coatings, but they have different strengths that make each one better suited to certain applications. Epoxy coatings provide superior chemical resistance, higher film builds per coat, and lower material cost per square foot. However, epoxy is an aromatic chemistry that will amber and chalk when exposed to UV light, it has longer cure times, and it is more sensitive to application temperature and humidity.

Polyaspartic coatings, by contrast, are a UV stable floor coating that will not yellow, amber, or chalk, even in direct sunlight or under fluorescent lighting. They cure faster than epoxy, can be applied in a wider temperature range, and develop a harder, more scratch-resistant surface. This makes polyaspartic the preferred topcoat in systems where appearance and color retention are important, such as decorative floors, retail environments, and any space with natural light exposure.

Many professional contractors use a hybrid system that combines the strengths of both chemistries: an epoxy base coat for chemical resistance and film build, topped with a polyaspartic coating for UV stability, abrasion resistance, and rapid return to service. HTS PAS-100 and PAS-200 are fully compatible with HTS epoxy primers and base coats, giving contractors the flexibility to design the right system for every project. This combination delivers the best of both chemistries: the durability of epoxy with the aesthetics and cure speed of polyaspartic.

Polyaspartic coatings are used in a broad range of commercial, industrial, and institutional applications. Automotive showrooms, retail stores, and commercial lobbies choose polyaspartic floor coatings for their high-gloss finish and resistance to scratching and scuffing from foot traffic. Warehouses, manufacturing plants, and distribution centers use polyaspartic systems for their fast cure times and chemical resistance. Healthcare facilities, pharmaceutical plants, and food-processing environments rely on the zero-VOC, zero-HAP formula for compliance with indoor air quality and sanitation requirements.

Because PAS-100 and PAS-200 are UV stable floor coatings, they are also well-suited for applications with sun exposure, including parking structures, aircraft hangars, outdoor covered areas, and any indoor space with skylights or large windows. Residential garage floors are another popular application, where the combination of fast cure, high gloss, and stain resistance makes polyaspartic the coating of choice for homeowners and contractors alike. Any environment that demands a durable, attractive, fast-curing floor coating is a candidate for the HTS polyaspartic system.