Rigid vs. Flexible Waterproofing: Is There a Material That Combines Both?

When it comes to waterproofing, two concepts often come to mind: rigid and flexible waterproofing. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages, which can make the selection process quite challenging. Sometimes, the choice must be tailored to different areas, which can be time-consuming and laborious.

What are Rigid and Flexible Waterproofing?

Rigid Waterproofing

As the name suggests, rigid waterproofing relies on the material's density and strength to prevent water ingress, lacking elasticity. The materials used are typically cement and sand, or they may include polymers and a few additives. By adjusting the mix or reducing porosity to enhance compactness, a cementitious concrete with certain impermeability is created. In essence, this waterproofing method employs mortar or concrete. However, when the waterproof layer is subjected to tensile forces beyond its tensile strength (including substrate settlement deformation, thermal deformation, etc.), the rigid waterproof layer can crack and lead to leakage.

Pros: Readily available materials, aging resistance

Cons: Heavy, limited by room structure, prone to cracking due to brittleness.

Flexible Waterproofing

Flexible waterproofing materials typically refer to asphalt, felt, etc., known professionally as felt roll waterproofing layers. These are roll materials with a base layer of felt, glass fiber fabric, or other fibrous textiles, bonded at the waterproofing site with various adhesives or asphalt to form a waterproof layer. It can stretch and expand under external forces, preventing cracking within its elastic range.

Pros: Crack-resistant, lightweight, high elongation, easy to apply

Cons: Prone to aging, shorter lifespan, high technical requirements for application, potential for leaks at joints.

However, for a superior waterproofing project, the key lies in selecting the right materials that offer both rigidity and flexibility!

Polyaspartic Polyurea Waterproofing Material is an eco-friendly, innovative waterproofing material that has emerged in recent years. It not only possesses the excellent elasticity and crack resistance of flexible waterproofing but also the density and aging resistance of rigid materials, making it a truly integrated superior waterproofing product.

Characteristics of Polyaspartic Polyurea Waterproof Coating:

1. Exceptional weather and aging resistance, anti-fouling and anti-mold, with no yellowing for 20 years outdoors.
2. Cures at temperatures as low as 0°C, facilitating convenient application.
3. Vibrant outdoor appearance, integrating waterproofing with decoration, environmentally friendly with no toxic odors.
4. Excellent adhesion to substrates, high elasticity and tensile strength, outstanding crack resistance.

Feiyang has been specializing in the production of raw materials for polyaspartic coatings for 30 years and can provide polyaspartic resins, hardeners and coating formulations. Some of our polyaspartic coating formulations: Polyaspartic Coating

Feel free to contact us: marketing@feiyang.com.cn

Our products list:

• Polyaspartic Resin
• Isocyanate Hardener
• Special Chemical

Learn more polyaspartic knowledge: Polyaspartic FAQ

Shenzhen Feiyang Protech Corp., Ltd. specializes in researching and producing polyaspartic polyurea resin and other new chemical products. We are recognized as a "National Special New Key Little Giant" and a "State-level High-tech Enterprise", with more than 50 polyaspartic polyurea invention patents. We also participated in the preparation of 13 industry standards for polyaspartic polyurea materials as a leading company in this field, ranking No.1 in the Chinese market.

In the coating industry, polyaspartic polyurea is used in construction machinery, automobile, containers, fan blades, marine heavy corrosion protection, and high-end industrial and commercial floor coatings. In the adhesive field, it is mainly used in sealants, stone adhesives, electronic adhesives, film circuit packaging adhesives, and other high-end applications. In the waterproofing materials sector, it is primarily used in hydroelectric dams, water parks, building waterproofing repair materials, and other areas. In the structural materials field, it is applied to curling tracks, artificial ice skating rinks, and other structural materials.

Polyaspartic polyurea is considered a high-end new material in the strategy of manufacturing power. We have broken the foreign technology monopoly and filled the domestic market gap. Due to its comprehensive characteristics of "Environmental protection, Energy saving, and Long durability", polyaspartic polyurea can contribute to the realization of genuine carbon neutrality in the coatings, adhesives, and materials industries.

Since 2012, Feiyang polyaspartic ester resin has been supplied overseas. It has been widely used to replace Bayer's current polyaspartic system in many coating companies and has been applied in anti-corrosion and waterproofing by international coating companies.