This is not Acid Etching

What is Acid Etching

Acid etching is a method which has been used for years in an attempt to improve traction and reduce the risk of slips and falls. This kind of treatment is marketed under many different names by hundreds small companies. All acid etching treatments have one thing in common. They use a concentrated solution of hydrofluoric acid to eat away the surface of the floor. After the treatment, the floor is scared with tiny pits or holes. These pits make the floor rougher and less slippery. Unfortunately this improvement in slip resistance does not last very long so the treatment must be repeated frequently.

The problem with acid treatments is that the pits they leave behind quickly fill up with dirt, oils and mineral deposits. In a relatively short time the improvement in slip resistance begins to diminish. Acid treated floors usually have a blotchy appearance which is difficult to keep clean. Every time an acid etching treatment is repeated, more of the floor's surface is eaten away weakening the floor material. On some types of floor materials, concrete for example, repeated acid treatments can weaken the floor to the point that actually fails and breaks apart.

AST/95 compared to Acid Etching

Unlike acid treatments, AST/95 is a non-destructive process. No floor material is removed as a result of an AST/95 installation. While acid etching treatments can significantly weaken the floor material, AST/95 actually makes the floor surface harder and more wear resistant.

AST/95 creates an effect that is basically the opposite of that which acid treatments leave behind. Rather than etching tiny pits into the floor, AST/95 creates an raised texture made of millions of abrasive crystals. These crystals are permanently bonded to the surface of the floor. Other than a slight reduction in the gloss of some highly polished materials, the appearance of a floor treated with AST/95 is unchanged.

In order to retain an acceptable level of effectiveness, most acid etching treatments require frequent cleaning with special chemicals designed to remove grease and mineral deposits. Even with regular maintenance, acid treatments usually need to be reapplied periodically as the weakened floor surface wears away.

AST/95 does not require any special maintenance. Normal cleaning with a mild cleaning solution is usually all that is needed. The improvements in slip resistance which AST/95 achieves can be expected to last a long time, typically three to five years, depending on traffic.