Minimum Film-Formation
Temperature (MFT) is an inherent problem to
water emulsion polymer floor finishes. MFT is
the minimum temperature of the substrate at
which the finish will form a strong continuous
film. This is a particular problem in the northeast
section of the country in wintertime where several
factors are involved. They are:
A. Concrete slab construction floors transmit
cold from the exterior walls, as well as from
beneath, to become as much as 15 degrees F.
colder than the surrounding interior air.
B. Personnel, allow containers of floor finish
to remain in their trucks or vans for hours,
chilling them to below their MFT.
C. Supermarkets, customarily turn back the heat
after closing ‘hours which allows the room and
floor temperatures to drop below the MFT of
than polish.
The MFT of a floor polish is usually correlated
to the hardness of the product. The harder the
product, the higher the MFT. The softer, more
buffable finishes have a lower MFT. This explains
why in certain sections of the country, like
New England, they only used waxes or buffable
finishes in the wintertime. However, due to
modern polish technology, the MFT of products
can be controlled by the addition of plasterizers
and synthetic waxes. The average floor polish
today has an MFT of 45 degrees to 55 degrees
F. To avoid product failure and the expensive
repercussions; it is imperative to guard against
applying floor finish when the floor temperatures
are less than 60 degrees F.
