Pollution study on a leveling system

Unexpected discoloration appeared in a factory producing leveling compounds. This coloring is probably due to pollution during production.
But where does this pollution come from and what is its nature? This is the problem to which our laboratory had to respond.
The leveling products are used to correct small defects in a floor before laying the coating.
Usually these products are composed of cement, sand, water and additives.

Pigment ragréage
The mission of our team for this problem was to detect and identify the presence of pollution, at the origin of the coloring by comparing two samples: a compliant finished product presenting slight yellow coloring and a non-compliant finished product presenting a strong violet .
We performed a solid/liquid extraction in a suitable solvent which allows us to extract and separate the dye from the matrix for a better analytical response.
Once the pollution has been extracted from the matrix, a identification of semi-volatile compounds is carried out by UPLC/TOF-MS focusing on the presence of dyes which may be the source of the color of the finished product.
Analyse coloration ragréage


During the extraction step on the "non-conforming" powder before processing, our team noticed that the leveling powder took on a purple color when in contact with water, whereas its original color. tended more towards yellow.

Additional tests were then carried out: after adding a few drops of acid, we noticed that our extract became yellow again. This very specific property of color change as a function of pH belongs to the family of color indicators .

The hypothesis of the colored indicator is then confirmed and identified thanks to analysis by UPLC/TOF-MS : this is purple bromcresol, a yellow molecule in acid form and purple in basic form. Thanks to our analysis, our client will be able to understand the origin of this colored pollution and remedy his problem of non-compliance.
Do you notice a defect , coloring or even a crack in your leveling products and want to understand its origin? Call on the POLYMEX laboratory.

Other examples from industry

The Polymex laboratory team is able to analyze and identify the reasons for defects in your leveling compounds. Whether it is cracks or..
Leveling compound pollution

Leveling compound pollution

When renovating a paint coating, it is important to take into account the nature of the previous layers to ensure durability of the new..
Renovation of the coating of a metal structure

Renovation of the coating of a metal structure

Respecting the base and hardener stoichiometry is essential for the good performance of the material. Indeed, the adhesion properties of..
Stochiometry failure on two-component epoxy

Stochiometry failure on two-component epoxy

Determination of Formaldehyde [50-00-0] in Formo-phenolic resins by UPLC / UV
Determination of Formaldehyde

Determination of Formaldehyde

CONTACT US