Abstract:
The seam of a surface covering product, having an exposed surface which is the reaction product of a protective coating composition including an aminoplast and a polyol, is coated with a seam coating composition including a cyanoacrylate monomer and a plasticizer. The preferred monomer is methyl 2-cyanoacrylate, ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate or methoxy ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate. The preferred plasticizer is dibutyl phthalate. The seam coating should have a viscosity of about 100 CPS. An accelerator may be applied to the uncured seam coating.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a method of seam coating resilient sheet flooring. In particular, the invention is directed to a method of seam coating a resilient sheet flooring having a highly crosslinked wear surface, and more specifically, a wear surface which is the reaction product of a composition comprising a polyol and aminoplast. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A highly crosslinked wear surface formed by the reaction of a composition comprising a polyol and an aminoplast has been developed which has excellent scratch and stain resistance. However, since the surface of the highly crosslinked wear layer has only a trace amount of reactive functional groups, it has been extremely difficult to discover a composition which will adhere to the wear layer and which can be used as a seam coating. 
     As known in the art, when two sections of resilient sheet flooring are laid with two edges abutting, a seam is formed. Unless the seam is coated with a sealing composition, dirt tends to accumulate in the seam, and due to the slight difference in surface height between the two sections of resilient flooring at the seam, traffic will tend to snag the higher surface. A seam coating eliminates the crevice at the abutment and smooths the transition between the two elevations at the abutment. 
     Numerous seam coating compositions are known. Further a cyanoacrylate adhesive with dibutyl phthalate plasticizer is disclosed in European patent application Ser. No. 239,890. The invention of the European Application is an opaque cyanoacrylate adhesive or coating composition which comprises a monomeric ester of 2-cyanoacrylic acid and 5 to 50% by weight, based on the monomeric ester, of a semi-compatible plasticizer. The European application compares the opaque adhesive of the European invention with a non-opaque coating of cyanoacrylate with a fully compatible dibutyl phthalate plasticizer. 
     Since typical seam coatings would not adhere to the polyol/aminoplast wear layer, the surface was analyzed by the present inventors to determine if there were any functional groups present which could be used to gain adhesion. Only trace amounts of N--H, C--O, C═O and C--Cl were detected. Attempts to attack or soften the wear layer surface with solvents was also evaluated. The solvents were covered with watch glasses to retard evaporation. Of the nine solvents tested, only methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran and methyl ethyl ketone softened and/or shriveled the surface of the wear layer within a twenty minute time period. However, if any of the above solvents were allowed to evaporate to dryness without restrictions, they had no effect on the surface of the wear layer. 
     Typical acrylic, nitrocellulose and vinyl lacquers utilizing these most active solvents were evaluated. The wear layer acted as a release coating and the lacquers failed to gain adhesion. 
     Many resinous systems including cyanoacrylates, alkyds, lacquers, epoxies, polyurethanes, and crosslinkable lattices were evaluated. The surface of the wear layer was pretreated with such agents as acids, alkali and corona discharge without improving the bonding characteristics. 
     One objective of the present invention is to provide a method of seam coating the surface of a wear layer comprising the reaction product of an aminoplast and a polyol. 
     A further object is to provide a seam coating composition which will adhere to the aminoplast/polyol wear layer and have excellent stain and scratch resistance as well as an appearance similar to the surface of the aminoplast/polyol wear surface. 
     These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follows. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It has been found that of the numerous adhesives and coating compositions for resilient floor coverings, only a coating composition comprising cyanoacrylate monomer will adhere to the surface of an aminoplast/polyol wear layer and has the desired stain and scratch resistance and appearance. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,987, issued Nov. 1, 1988, in the names of Bolgiano et al. and U.S. application Ser. No. 945,831, filed Dec. 23, 1986 in the name of Witman disclose highly crosslinked protective coatings or wear layers comprising an aminoplast, preferably melamine, and a polyol. Both of these references are incorporated herein by reference. The compositions of the Bolgiano et al. patent and Witman application yield a protective coating for resilient flooring which has superior stain and scratch resistance. However, the surface of the wear layer has only trace amounts of N--H, C--O, C═O and C--Cl functional groups and no NH 2  or OH functional groups. Therefore, it has been difficult to discover a seam coating composition which will adhere to the aminoplast/polyol wear layer. 
     Attempts were made to soften the surface of the wear layer with a number of solvents. The solvents were covered with watch glasses to retard evaporation. Table 1 sets forth the substance and the results of the test. 
     
                       TABLE 1______________________________________Solvent Surface Treatment           Time for SurfaceSolvent         Softening and/or Shriveling______________________________________Methylene Chloride            4 minutesTetrahydrofuran 12 minutesMethyl ethyl ketone           22 minutesMethyl isobutyl ketone           7 hours, slight blisteringIsopropanol     7 hours, noneEthanol         7 hours, noneIsopropyl acetate           7 hours, noneButyl cellosolve acetate           7 hours, noneToluol          7 hours, none______________________________________ 
    
     When the above solvents are allowed to evaporate to dryness without the watch glass, they have no effect on the wear layer surface. Typical acrylic nitrocellulose and vinyl lacquers utilizing the most active solvents were evaluated by applying the lacquer to the wear layer and allowing it to air dry at room temperature. Other seam coating candidates including highly crosslinked polyurethanes were also tested. The results of these tests are set forth in Table 2. 
     
                                           TABLE 2__________________________________________________________________________Solvent                   Solvent   Adhesion and/Based Lacquers Type       System    or Remarks__________________________________________________________________________Acryloid ® A21.sup.1          Methyl methacrylate                     MEK.sup.2 Poor - good(25%)                               iodine resistanceAcryloid A21/  Methyl methacrylate/                     MEK       Poor - CS-1Acryloid CS-1.sup.1          tackifier            lowered glossAcryloid A21/  Methyl methacrylate/                     MeCl.sub.2.sup.3                               PoorSanticizer 160 (2.5%).sup.8          plasticizerAcryloid B67.sup.1          Isobutyl   VM&amp;P      Good after 2          methacrylate                     naphtha   days, poor after                               7 daysAcryloid B67   Isobutyl   MEK       Poor - easily(Crumbs).sup.1 methacrylate         marredAcryloid B67/  Isobutyl methacrylate                     MEK       Poor - easilyAcryloid DMSS.sup.1                 marredAcryloid B84.sup.1          Methyl     Toluene/  Poor - poor          methacrylate                     Sec.      iodine resistance                     ButanolAcryloid B48S  Methyl     Toluene   Poor - poor(45%).sup.1    methacrylate         iodine resis.Acryloid B-99.sup.1          Methyl     Toluene/  Poor - brittle          methacrylate                     xylene    good iodine                               resistanceAcryloid XR-34.sup.1            --         --      PoorAcryloid B44.sup.1 /VAGH.sup.4 /DOP.sup.5          Acrylic/PVC.sup.6 /                     MeCl.sub.2 /Toluol 2/1                               Poor3/2/1/ (25%)   PlasticizerNitrocellulose RS.sup.7            --         --      PoorNitrocellulose SS.sup.7             --      Ethanol   Poor1/2 sec (40%)Butvar ® 90.sup.8 (20%)          Polyvinyl butyral                     n-butanol/                               Poor                     MIBK 1/1Butvar ® 98.sup.8 (15%)          Polyvinyl butyral                     Toluene/  Poor                     ethanol 6/4Ethyl Cellulose N7 (15%)            --       Toluol/n  Poor - alcohol                     butanol   redissolvesEvlacite ® 2045.sup.9          Isobutyl   MEK       Poor(15%)          methacrylateEvlacite 2041.sup.9          Isobutyl   MEK       Poor          methacrylateElvacite 2041.sup.9 /          Isobutyl   MEK/THF.sup.10 /                               PoorVMCH.sup.4 (11%)          methacrylate/PVC                     DMF.sup.11 20/4/1Elvacite 2041.sup.9 /          Isobutyl   MEK/THF/DMF                               PoorFirestone 6336.sup.12 (11%)          methacrylate/PVC                     20/4/1Carboset ® XL-44.sup.13          Alkali soluble                     MEK (also NH.sub.4 OH)                               Poor(10%)          acrylicsCarboset ® 525.sup.13          Alkali soluble                     MEK       Poor(10%)          acrylicsVAGH.sup.4 (20%)          PVC/PVAC.sup.14 /OH.sup.15                     MEK/MeCl.sub.2                               Poor                     1/1VAGH.sup.4 (25%)          PVC/PVAC/OH                     cyclohexanone                               PoorVYES.sup.4 (40%)          PVC/PVAC/OH                     MIBK.sup.16 /toluene                               Good -                     1/1       easily marred,                               poor U.V.Mirabond ®.sup.17          Polyurethane                     Xylene    PoorMirabond ®.sup.17            --       Added MeCl.sub.2                               Poor                     (20%)Securabond Adhesive.sup.17          Polyamide/Epoxy                       --      PoorVAGH.sup.4 /THF            --       THF       PoorWhittaker&#39;s Adhesive          Polyester    --      Poor#46960.sup.18Ciba Geigy GY-9513.sup.19 /          Epoxy/       --      PoorCiba Geigy HY-2964.sup.19          Aliphatic amine__________________________________________________________________________High Crosslinked                Adhesion and/orPolyurethanes    Type           Remarks__________________________________________________________________________Thermoplastic    Polyurethane   Poor - soft, rubberyDesmodur W.sup.20            dicyclohexyl   Poor - soft, rubberyThermoplastic    methyl(4,4&#39;)diisocyanate                           fair-good iodine resis.Desmodur W       dicyclohexyl   Poor - hard, glossy            methyl(4,4&#39;)diisocyanateDesmodur N-100.sup.20            hexamethylene  Poor - soft, rubbery            diisocyanate   easily marred            oligomer/catalystDesmodur N-3390.sup.20            hexamethylene  Poor - soft, rubbery            diisocyanate   easily marred            oligomer/catalystDesmodur N-3390.sup.20            hexamethylene  Poor - soft, rubbery            diisocyanate   easily marred            oligomer/catalystDesmodur N-3390/TMDI.sup.21            hexamethylene  1 day good (soft)            diisocyanate   5 days poor (hard)            oligomer/TMDI/            catalystDesmodur W3398.sup.20            hexamethylene  Poor - hard, glossy            diisocyanate   fair-good iodine resis.            oligomer/catalyst__________________________________________________________________________Other Seam Coating                Adhesion and/orCandidates          Type          Remarks__________________________________________________________________________Congo&#39;s Seam Coater Two part urethane                             Poor - poor iodine&#34;Easy Does It&#34; SN-102.sup.22               based on an aliphatic                             resistance               diisocyanateDel Val&#39;s Ink Vehicle.sup.23               Polyamide -   Poor - yellowed               Ethanol/VMP/IPAc.sup.24               60/20/20Magic Appliance Touch-Up                 --          PoorPaint for Tubs andSinks (White).sup.25Mobay 0402A.sup.20  Aliphatic carboxylated                             Poor - soft and               urethane latex                             flexibleSpencer Kellogg     Aliphatic carboxylated                             Poor - dull filmDV 5546             urethane latexSpencer Kellogg DV5546           9   Aliphatic carboxylated                             Gelled on mixingResimene 717.sup.8           1   Methylated Melamine                             in of PTSAPTSA.sup.27 10% in water           1   CatalystRohm and Haas E 2184.sup.1               Acrylic latex Poor - sl. yellow                             (dried at 30° C.)CDM-WJ55        2   Epoxy         PoorMaincote TL-5.sup.1           1Resimene 717.sup.8           9   Methylated melamine                             Poor - waterPTSA (10% in water)           1   Catalyst      re-soluble after                             10 daysHelastic 6545.sup.28               Aliphatic polyurethane                             Poor - very poorUcarlnk XL 225E.sup.4               dispersion    iodine resistance,               Carbodiamide  easily marredHelastic X915.sup.28               Aliphatic polyurethane                             Poor - poorXama 7.sup.29       dispersion    iodine resistance               AziridineRhoplex WL-91.sup.1 Acrylic latex Tg 52° C.                             Good - good iodineBCA.sup.30                        resistance, easily                             marredDER 331/DER 721.sup.31               Bisphenol A epoxy                             PoorDEH 58              Amine hardenerButvar B-98.sup.8 (20%)           90  Polyvinyl butyral                             UnsatisfactoryResimene U-983.sup.8 in           24  Melamineethanol/water, 95/5PTSA (40%)      0.75               CatalystButvar B-98.sup.8 (20%)           90  Polyvinyl butyral                             UnsatisfactoryResimene 881.sup.8           20  MelaminePTSA (40%)      0.75               CatalystButvar B-98.sup.8 (20%)           90  Polyvinyl butyral                             UnsatisfactoryResimene 872.sup.8           20  MelaminePTSA (40%)      0.75               CatalystButvar B-98.sup.8 (20%)           90  Polyvinyl butyral                             UnsatisfactoryResimene U-983.sup.8           3   MelamineResimene 872.sup.8           20  MelaminePTSA (40%)      0.75               CatalystButvar B-98.sup.8 (20%)           90  Polyvinyl butyral                             UnsatisfactoryResimene U-983.sup.8           10  MelamineResimene 872.sup.8           10  MelaminePTSA (40%)      0.75               CatalystResimene 747.sup.8           20  Methylated melamine                             UnsatisfactoryRJ-100.sup.8    40  Styrene allyl alcoholToluene/ethanol (1:1)           60PTSA (40%)      0.6 CatalystResimene 747.sup.8           20  Methylated melamine                             UnsatisfactoryRJ-100.sup.8    40  Styrene allyl alcoholToluene/ethanol (1:1)           60PTSA (40%)      1.2 CatalystResimene 2060.sup.8           50  Melamine      UnsatisfactoryToluene/ethanol (2:1)           30PTSA (40%)      5   CatalystResimene 2060.sup.8           50  Melamine      UnsatisfactoryToluene/ethanol 30PTSA (40%)      10  CatalystResimene 745.sup. 8           10  Melamine      UnsatisfactoryStyrene allyl alcohol           40Toluene/ethanol (2:1)           25PTSA (40%)      5   CatalystResimene 745.sup.8           10  Melamine      UnsatisfactoryStyrene allyl alcohol           40Toluene/ethanol (2:1)           25PTSA (40%)      10  CatalystGelva GMS 264.sup.32               Polyvinyl acetate -                             Unsatisfactory               maleate copolymerGelva GMS 269.sup.32               Polyvinyl acetate -                             Unsatisfactory               maleate copolymerGelva GMS 1140.sup.32               Polyvinyl acetate -                             Unsatisfactory               maleate copolymerGelva GMS 1215.sup.32               Polyvinyl acetate -                             Unsatisfactory               maleate copolymerGelva GMS 1430.sup.32               Polyvinyl acetate -                             Unsatisfactory               maleate copolymerGelva GMS 1753.sup.32               Polyvinyl acetate -                             Unsatisfactory               maleate copolymerGelva GMS 1822U.sup.32               Polyvinyl acetate -                             Unsatisfactory               maleate copolymerGelva GMS 1151.sup.32 /               Polyvinyl acetate -                             UnsatisfactoryPAPI isocyanate.sup.33               maleate copolymer/catalystMirabond.sup.17 95  Polyurethane  PoorKL3-2001.sup.20 5   Bonding agentMirabond.sup.17 90  Polyurethane  PoorKL3-2001.sup.20 10  Bonding agentS-553.sup.17    95  Vinyl sealer  PoorKL3-2001.sup.20 5   Bonding agentS-553.sup.17    90  Vinyl sealer  PoorKL3-2001.sup.20 10  Bonding agentGelva GMS 1151.sup.32           95  PVAC-maleate copolymer                             PoorKL3-2001.sup.20 5   Bonding agentGelva GMS 1430.sup.32           95  PVAC-maleate copolymer                             PoorKL3-2001.sup.20 5   Bonding agentEpon 828.sup.35 50  Epoxy         PoorVersamide 1540.sup.34           17.94               Amine hardenerXylene/MIBK.sup.16, 3/1           15Epon 828.sup.35 50  Epoxy         PoorVersamide 1540.sup.34           17.94               Amine hardenerKL3-2001.sup.20 3.4 Bonding agentXylene/MIBK, 3/1           15Butvar B-98.sup.8 (20% in           90  Polyvinyl butyral                             Poor - poortoluene/ethanol, 1/1)             iodine resistanceDyno MB-98.sup.36 (97%)           15  MelaminePTSA (40%)      0.75               CatalystButvar B-98.sup.8 (20%)           90  Polyvinyl butyral                             Poor - poorDyno MB-98.sup.36 (97%)           15  Melamine      iodine resistancePTSA (40%)      1.5 CatalystButvar B-98.sup.8 (20%)           90  Polyvinyl butyral                             Poor - poorDyno MB-98.sup.36 (97%)           15  MelaminePTSA (40%)      3.75               CatalystButvar B-98.sup.8 (20%)           90  Polyvinyl butyral                             Poor - poorDyno MB-98.sup.36 (97%)           15  Melamine      iodine resistancePTSA (40%)      7.5 CatalystDyno MB-98.sup.36           21  Melamine      Poor - poorRJ-100.sup.8 (40% in           100 Styrene allyl alcohol                             iodine resistancetoluene/ethanol, 1/1)PTSA (40%)      0.6 CatalystDyno MB-98.sup.36           21  Melamine      Poor - poorRJ-100.sup.8 (40%)           100 Styrene allyl alcohol                             iodine resistancePTSA (40%)      1.2 CatalystResimene 747.sup.8           20  Methylated melamine                             Poor - poorRJ-100.sup.8 (40%)           100 Styrene allyl alcohol                             iodine resistancePTSA (40%)      7.5 CatalystResimene 747.sup.8           20  Methylated melamine                             Poor - poorRJ-100.sup.8 (40%)           100 Styrene allyl alcohol                             iodine reistancePTSA (40%)      15  CatalystDyno MB-98.sup.36           20.6               Melamine      Poor - poorRJ-100.sup.8 (40%)           100 Styrene allyl alcohol                             iodine resistancePTSA (40%)      7.5 CatalystDyno MB-98.sup.36           20.6               Melamine      Poor - poorRJ-100.sup.8 (40%)           100 Styrene allyl alcohol                             iodine resistancePTSA (40%)      15  CatalystButvar B-76.sup.8 (14% in MEX)           658.5               Polyvinyl butyral                             Poor - poorSanticizer 8.sup.8           7.5 Plasticizer   iodine resistanceButvar B-76.sup.8 (14%)           658.5               Polyvinyl butyral                             Poor - poorSanticizer 8.sup.8           7.5 Plasticizer   iodine resistanceKL3-2001.sup.20 5.0 Bonding agentButvar B-76.sup.8 (14%)           658.5               Polyvinyl butyral                             Poor - poorSanticizer 8.sup.8           7.5 Plasticizer   iodine resistanceKL3-2001.sup.20 10.0               Bonding agentButvar B-76.sup.8 (14%)           658.5               Polvinyl butyral                             Poor - poorSanticizer 160.sup.8           7.5 Plasticizer   iodine resistanceButvar B-76.sup.8 (14%)           658.5               Polyvinyl butyral                             Poor - poorSanticizer 160.sup.8           7.5 Plasticizer   iodine resistanceKL3-2001.sup.20 5.0 Bonding agentButvar B-76.sup.8 (14%)           658.5               Polyvinyl butyral                             Poor - poorSanticizer 160.sup.8           7.5 Plasticizer   iodine resistanceKL3-2001.sup.20 10.0               Bonding agentAroplaz 6065x50.sup.37           170.0               alkyd resin   Poor - poorAroplaz 2477x65 23.1               alkyd resin   iodine resistance6% Cobalt naphthenate           0.676% manganese naphthenate           0.33Xylene          28.045% nonvolatile solidsAroplaz 6065x50.sup.37           100 alkyd resin   Poor - poor6% Cobalt naphthenate           0.33              iodine resistance6% manganese naphthenate           0.17Xylene          10.6145% nonvolatile solidsAroplaz 6008x50.sup.37           170.0               alkyd resin   Poor - poorAroplaz 2477x65.sup.37           23.1               alkyd resin   iodine resistance6% Cobalt naphthenate           0.676% manganese naphthenate           0.33Xylene          28.045% nonvolatile solidsAroplaz 6008x50.sup.37           100 alkyd resin   Poor - poor6% Cobalt naphthenate           0.33              iodine resistance6% manganese naphthenate           0.17Xylene          10.6145% nonvolatile solidsAroflint 607.sup.38           50  polyester-epoxy                             PoorAroflint 404xx60.sup.38           83.33               polyester-epoxyDowanol PMA.sup.31           1069.77% nonvolatile solidsAroflint 607.sup.38           50  polyester-epoxy                             PoorAroflint 252zm160.sup.38           83.33               polyester-epoxyDowanol.sup.31  10__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.1 Sold by Rohm and Haas Company .sup.2 Methyl ethyl ketone .sup.3 Methylene chloride .sup.4 Sold by Union Carbide Corp. .sup.5 Dioctyl phthalate .sup.6 Polyvinyl chloride .sup.7 Sold by Hercules Inc. .sup.8 Sold by Monsanto Chemical Co. .sup. 9 Sold by E. I. Du Pont Le Nemours .sup.10 Tetrahydrofuran .sup.11 Dimethylformamide .sup.12 Sold by Firestone Fire &amp; Rubber Company .sup.13 Sold by B. F. Goodrich Company .sup.14 Polyvinyl acetate .sup.15 Hydroxyl .sup.16 Methyl isobutyl ketone .sup.17 Sold by Armstrong World Industries, Inc. .sup.18 Sold by Whittaker Corp. .sup.19 Sold by Ciba Geigy Corporation .sup.20 Sold by Mobay Chemical Corp. .sup.21 Trimethyl hexamethylene diisocyanate .sup.22 Sold by Congoleum Corp. .sup.23 Sold by Del Val Ink &amp; Color Inc. .sup.24 Isopropyl acetate .sup.25 Sold by Hechinger Co. .sup.26 Sold by Textron Inc. .sup.27 Paratoluenesulfonic acid .sup.28 Sold by Seton Leather Company .sup.29 Sold by AerojetGeneral Corporation .sup.30 Butyl cellosolve acetate sold by Union Carbide Corp. .sup.31 Sold by Dow Chemical Company .sup.32 Sold by Shawinigan Products Corporation .sup.33 Sold by Carwin Company .sup.34 Sold by General Mills, Inc. .sup.35 Sold by Shell Chemical Corporation .sup.36 A melamine low temperature crosslinker .sup.37 Sold by Ashland Oil, Inc. .sup.38 Sold by Spencer Kellogg 
    
     Cyanoacrylate monomers were the only resinous system that showed adequate adhesion to the wear layer. Table 3 lists the cyanoacrylates and amine accelerators which were evaluated. 
     
                       TABLE 3______________________________________Cyanoacrylates Monomers                         ViscosityDesignation     Cyanoacrylate Ester                         (CPS)______________________________________Loctite ® 401.sup.1           Ethyl         100Loctite ® 403           Methoxy ethyl 1,000Loctite ® 411           Modified ethyl                         5,000Loctite ® 414           Ethyl         120Loctite ® 430           Methyl         80Loctite ® 447           Ethyl         600Loctite ® 460           Methoxy ethyl  50Permabond ® 102.sup.2           Ethyl         100Permabond ® 130           Methyl        500Permabond ® 910           Methyl        100Permabond ® 5238-143A           Ethyl + 5% DMP.sup.3                         --Permabond ® 5238-143B           Ethyl + 10% DMP                         --Hernon&#39;s Instantbond 105.sup.4           Methyl        1-5Hernon&#39;s Instantbond 110           Methyl        100Hernon&#39;s Instantbond 117           Ethyl         1,300-1,700Hernon&#39;s Instantbond 123           Ethyl         100-120Hernon&#39;s Instantbond 126           &#34;Rubber&#34; modified                         2,000Hernon&#39;s Instantbond 127           &#34;Rubber&#34; modified                         4,000-6,000______________________________________Cyanoacrylate Accelerators and Primers      % ActiveDesignation      Ingredient                Composition  Solvent______________________________________Loctite    1.0       Sulfenamide.sup.5                             1,1,1-tri-Activator 711                     chloroethaneLoctite    0.1         &#34;          1,1,1,-tri-Activator 702                     chloroethaneLoctite     0.1        &#34;          1,1,1,-tri-Activator 703                     chloroethaneLoctite    1.0       Modified     Freon 113/Activator            sulfenamide  acetone 85/15FMD-146Permabond  1.0       DMPT.sup.6   1,1,1-tri-Q.F.S.                            chloroethanePermabond 27A      1.0       Modified DMPT                             1,1,1-tri-                             chloroethanePermabond 27B      1.0       Phenyl ethyl 1,1,1-tri-                ethanolamine chloroethaneHernon Primer 20      1.0       DMPT         trichloro                             trifluoro                             ethaneHernon Primer 22      0.5       DMPT         trichloro                             trifluoro                             ethane______________________________________ .sup.1 Sold by Loctite Corporation .sup.2 Sold by National Starch and Chemical Corp. .sup.3 Dimethyl phthalate .sup.4 Sold by Hernon Mfg. Inc. .sup.5 Sold by Vanderbilt Chemical Corp. under the registered trademark Amax .sup.6 Dimethyl ptoluidine 
    
     For the adhesion evaluations, the cyanoacrylates were applied to floor coverings having the aminoplast/polyol wear layer, optionally leveled with an applicator tip and sprayed with various amine accelerators using a hand-operated atomizer. The accelerator was applied ten minutes after the coating composition was applied. Ethyl esters which had a viscosity of approximately 100 CPS were the most promising. 
     Physical properties of samples prepared at ambient conditions of 75° F. and 34% relative humidity were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 4. 
     
                                           TABLE 4__________________________________________________________________________    Accelerator    or Primer                Ultra-Violet    (% active      Household.sup.1 Stain                             Discoloration TestCyanoacrylate     ingredient)             Adhesion                   Resistance - 3 Hours                             3 days                                  5 days__________________________________________________________________________Loctite 401    711 (1.0%)             Chipped off                   000040    mod.sup.2                                  mod             w/difficulty&#34;        702 (.1%)             Good  000020    v.sl.sup.3                                  v.sl&#34;        703 (0.01%)             Good  000020    v.sl v.sl&#34;        FMD-146  Good  000000    none none    (experimental)Permabond 102    Q.F.S. (1%)             Poor  010040    severe                                  severe&#34;        27A (1%) Poor  000040    none none&#34;        27B (1%) Poor  020240    mod  modPermabond 143A    Q.F.S. (1%)             Poor  010240    severe                                  severe&#34;        27A (1%) Poor  010340    none none&#34;        27B (1%) Poor  000340    mod  modHernon 123    Primer 20 (1%)             Poor  000030    none none&#34;        Primer 22 (0.5%)             Poor  000030    none noneLoctite 401    None     Good  000010    v.sl v.slPermabond 102    None     Good  000030    none noneHernon 123    None     Good  000040    none none__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.1 Ball Point Pen Ink, Magic Marker, Brown Shoe Polish, Hair Dye, Iodine 3% and Driveway Sealer, respectively. A higher number indicates darker stain.  .sup.2 Moderate .sup.3 Very slight 
    
     The use of higher concentration accelerators resulted in poor adhesion because the speed of cure was too fast to allow the monomers to wet-out or penetrate the wear layer surface. If the accelerators were applied to the wear layer surface before the cyanoacrylates, the adhesion was poorer for the same reason. Most of the cyanoacrylates showed good household stain resistance in three hour tests except for iodine. The more severe discoloration generally occurred with the higher concentrations of accelerator. 
     Further physical property tests were run at 75° F. and 66% relative humidity. The results of these tests are set forth in Tables 5 and 6. 
     
                       TABLE 5______________________________________                                 Adhesion                                 180° flex     Accelerator         Surface 2 daysCyanoacrylate     or Primer  Frosting Texture old______________________________________Loctite 401     702 (0.1%) v. slight                         good gloss                                 good                         v. slight                         shrivelLoctite 460     702 (0.1%) v. slight                         good gloss                                 good                         v. slight                         shrivelLoctite 430     702 (0.1%) v. slight                         good gloss                                 good                         v. slight                         shrivelPermabond 102     Q.F.S. (1%)                slight   sl. grainy                                 poorPermabond Q.F.S. (1%)                slight   gnarled poor143APermabond Q.F.S. (1%)                slight   sl. grainy                                 good143BInstantbond 123     Primer 20  v. sl    good gloss                                 poor     (1%)Instantbond 110     Primer 20  v. sl    severe  good     (1%)                whitening______________________________________ 
    
     
                       TABLE 6______________________________________                               Adhesion     Accelerator General Comments                               FourCyanoacrylate     or Primer   One Day       Days______________________________________Loctite 460     702 (0.1%)  iodine resistance                               good(methoxy ethyl)       poor, grainy surfaceLoctite 430     702 (0.1%)  good overall  good(methyl)Loctite 401     702 (0.1%)  sl. grainy, good                               good(ethyl)               gloss and iodine                 resistancePermabond 102     Q.F.S. (1%) good iodine   poor(ethyl)               resistance    (pops off)Permabond Q.F.S. (1%) iodine worse than                               good5238-143A             Permabond 102Permabond Q.F.S. (1%) iodine worse than                               poor5238-143B             Permabond     (pops off)                 5238-143AInstantbond 123     Primer 20 (1%)                 low frosting, poor(ethyl)               no shrivel,   (pops off)                 iodine OK,                 adhesion goodInstantbond 100     Primer 20 (1%)                 grainy, no    good, but(methyl)              frosting      brittle                               when                               rubbed______________________________________ 
    
     Again, at lower accelerator concentrations, the cyanoacrylates exhibited good adhesion. 
     The cyanoacrylate monomers are very volatile and their vapors can escape from the seam coater bead before curing starts and redeposit alongside of it causing a white &#34;frosted&#34; appearance (chlorsis). To combat this, the surface may be sprayed with a very low solids amine accelerator in trichloroethane or Freon solvents. If the concentration or coverage is too low, &#34;frosting&#34; occurs. If the concentration or coverage is too high, the cure is too rapid leading to distorted gnarled surface textures. If no accelerator is used the surface cures with a dull grainy surface depending on the relative humidity. The &#34;frosting&#34; and the cured cyanoacrylates can be removed from wear layer surface with nitroethane. 
     Floor coverings were installed with an epoxy adhesive under the seams. In coating with seams with cyanoacrylates, the polyamide hardening agent in the epoxy adhesive remaining on the surface and/or its vapors were present. This caused the cyanoacrylate to cure prematurely resulting in poor adhesion and a whitening in the coating itself. When installed with an aqueous adhesive, the problem did not occur. 
     Stain resistance was determined on two of the polyurethane coatings (Desmodur W and Desmodur W3398), Loctite 401 and the wear layer without a seam coating. The results are set forth in Table 7. 
     
                                           TABLE 7__________________________________________________________________________    Asphalt           Antioxidant                   Household                           StainSeam Coater    Tracking           Staining                   Staining                           Resistance__________________________________________________________________________Desmodur W    12.4 + 4.3   + 18.8  = 35.5Desmodur W3398    7.5  + 4.7   + 11.7  = 23.9Loctite 401    5.7  + 4.5   +  3.7  = 13.9Wear Layer    6.7  + 6.8   +  1.6  = 15.1__________________________________________________________________________ (A lower number indicates less staining). 
    
     The two polyurethane coatings were significantly less stain resistant than either the cyanoacrylate monomer coating or the wear layer itself. The cyanoacrylate monomer coating was similar to the wear layer. 
     As stated previously, 2-ethyl cyanoacrylate is the preferred monomer for use with the aminoplast/polyol wear layer. If the cyanoacrylate is modified by the addition of a phthalic acid ester, and particularly dibutyl phthalate, the cyanoacrylate may be applied to the seam by brush. Further, the phthalic acid ester modified cyanoacrylate more closely matches the wear appearance properties of the aminoplast/polyol wear layer. The dibutyl phthalate modified 2-ethyl cyanoacrylate is sold by National Starch and Chemical Corporation under the designation Permabond BK#5235-149A.