Non-Skid Flooring

Non-skid or anti-slip flooring is generally created by embedding an abrasive grit into a floor coating. The most versatile and durable grit is aluminum oxide since it is available in a wide variety of grit sizes and does not break down in high traffic areas. Broadcasting the grit onto a tacky floor coating (e.g., epoxy primer) followed by a top coat will 'lock' the grit in place.

These pictures show examples of using 36 grit white aluminum oxide on the left and 24 grit white aluminum oxide on the right. Notice the difference in media density used and the height of the 'peaks'. Given a fixed coating thickness, larger grit will provide more non-skid properties and a rougher surface. White aluminum oxide is used to minimize concerns about discoloration of the coating system.

Aluminum Oxide

Aluminum Oxide (a.k.a. aluminium oxide, alumina, aloxite, corundum) is generally sourced from bauxite ore. While bauxite is the primary ore for aluminum metal, Aluminum Oxide is extracted using the Bayer Process to remove unwanted impurities.

Aluminum Oxide is a very hard, versatile blasting media that can be used in a variety of applications for removing oxidation and scale off metals to etching stone and glass surfaces. The pure (>99%) White Aluminum Oxide is used when surface non-contamination is critical like when blast cleaning medical parts.

The hardness and large grit sizes available also make Aluminum Oxide an excellent choice for non-skid flooring. Aluminum Oxide is commonly used as an abrasive for sandpaper.

I'll bet you didn't know that precious stones like rubies and sapphires are simply Aluminum Oxide (corundum) crystals contaminated with other metals like chromium, titanium and iron.