Full definition
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) flooring engineered for industrial environments, offering broader chemical resistance than rubber (resists many acids, bases, solvents, and oils that would attack SBR), a wider range of colors for safety zone demarcation (5S, lean manufacturing), and smooth surfaces for easy cleaning. Thickness: 2-3 mm (standard), 3-4 mm (heavy-duty). Installation: full-spread adhesive on prepared concrete, seams heat-welded for seamless surface. Types: homogeneous (same composition through thickness — can be refinished) and heterogeneous (wear layer + backing — decorative options). Key advantages over rubber: better chemical resistance to many industrial chemicals, more color options (essential for 5S zone marking — red, yellow, green, blue per OSHA/ANSI color coding), and generally lower cost. Key advantages of rubber over vinyl: better impact absorption, superior anti-fatigue properties, better cold-temperature performance, and longer wear life under heavy traffic. Per ASTM F1700 (vinyl composition tile), EN 649 (homogeneous PVC flooring). ESD versions available (10⁶-10⁹ ohms) for electronics manufacturing. Applications: manufacturing plants (5S zone demarcation), pharmaceutical facilities, food processing (HACCP areas), commercial kitchens, and warehouses. Brands: Gerflor (Mipolam), Tarkett, Forbo, Armstrong.