International. In one study, researchers looked at the efficacy and durability of different categories of anti-slip treatments for floor coverings in a long-term field trial.
Adequate slip resistance of floor coverings is a prerequisite for safe walking. The incidence of slips and falls, however, indicates that insufficient slip resistance is a problem that frequently arises in practice. Poor slip resistance can be a consequence of insufficient soil and surface material properties, or it can be caused by wear and maintenance. Various treatments and products are commercially available in order to improve or restore the slip resistance of problematic surfaces.
Repeated measurements of friction coefficients showed that non-slip coatings initially improved slip resistance before gradually losing their positive effect, typically with a half-life of around three months. Safe coatings as well as non-slip adhesive tapes effectively increased slip resistance and proved to be relatively durable, although it is affected by significant mechanical wear.
Electron microscopy scanning showed that the predominant wear mechanisms of the investigated floor coverings and anti-slip treatments are rough of smooth surfaces and the intrusion of hard particles into the polymers. The main and probably general result of the Research Institute study is that all kinds of anti-slip treatments (coatings, tapes) gradually lose their positive effect due to wear and tear during use.
