Why can white fused alumina be used as an anti-slip additive in floor coatings?
White fused alumina is also called white corundum ,white electrocorundum,white aluminum oxide or white fused aluminum oxide,short for WFA or WA.
White fused alumina can be used as an anti-slip additive in floor coatings, primarily due to its high hardness (Mohs 9.0), chemical inertness, and controllable particle size, which effectively increases the micro-roughness of the coating surface, thereby improving the coefficient of friction and achieving a synergistic effect of wear resistance and anti-slip properties.
High Hardness and Structural Stability: White fused alumina (Al₂O₃ purity ≥99.5%) has a Mohs hardness of 9.0. After the coating cures, the particles form a uniform and durable micro-protrusion structure, which is not easily worn and maintains its anti-slip effect over a long period.
Adjustable Particle Size to Control Roughness: Using medium-coarse particle sizes such as 60#–120# for spreading or mixing into the surface layer can create sufficient frictional resistance without sacrificing smoothness, making it suitable for areas with anti-slip requirements such as ramps, workshops, and garages.
Good Chemical and Physical Compatibility: White fused alumina is resistant to acids and alkalis, insoluble in water, and highly compatible with epoxy/polyurethane flooring resins. During construction (mixing or spreading), it is not prone to settling or reaction, ensuring stable adhesion of the anti-slip layer.
Balancing color and function: Its natural whiteness (≥85%) does not affect the color matching of flooring, making it suitable for clean or commercial spaces (such as food factories and showrooms) where both aesthetics and slip resistance are required, unlike dark-colored abrasives such as brown fused alumina.
Note: The slip resistance depends on the particle size selection, the method of addition (spreading is better than simple mixing), and the timing of application (spreading before curing); excessively fine particles (e.g., >200 mesh) will have weak slip resistance, only improving wear resistance.