In the field of modern building decoration materials, LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) and SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) floors have become popular choices for floor decoration due to their excellent performance and aesthetic appeal. The glass fiber mesh plays an indispensable role in the manufacturing process of these two types of floors. It not only significantly enhances the comprehensive performance of the floors but also expands their application scope and service life.

I. Characteristics of Glass Fiber Mesh

The glass fiber mesh is made of glass fiber woven fabric as the base material and coated with an alkali-resistant polymer emulsion. Glass fiber itself has the characteristics of high strength and high modulus. Its tensile strength is several times that of steel, providing strong mechanical support for the floors. The coated alkali-resistant polymer emulsion endows the glass fiber mesh with good chemical stability, enabling it to effectively resist the erosion of acids, alkalis, and other chemical substances during the production and use of the floors. In addition, the glass fiber mesh has excellent dimensional stability and hardly deforms under changing temperature and humidity conditions. This characteristic is crucial for ensuring the flatness and overall quality of the floors.

II. Application of Glass Fiber Mesh in LVT Floors

(I) Enhancing the Mechanical Properties of Floors

LVT floors are mainly made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials. Although PVC has certain flexibility and wear resistance, its mechanical properties are relatively limited when used alone. Adding glass fiber mesh during the production of LVT floors is like constructing a sturdy framework for the floors. The glass fiber mesh closely combines with the PVC material, evenly distributing the external forces on the floors and effectively improving the tensile strength and tear resistance of the floors. When LVT floors are laid in places with high traffic, such as shopping malls and office buildings, even under long-term heavy load rolling and pedestrian movement, due to the reinforcement of the glass fiber mesh, the floors are not prone to damage, cracking, and other problems, greatly extending the service life of the floors.

(II) Improving Dimensional Stability

LVT floors are sensitive to changes in ambient temperature and humidity. Under different climatic conditions, they are prone to thermal expansion and contraction, leading to problems such as warping and deformation of the floors. With its excellent dimensional stability, the glass fiber mesh can effectively restrain the expansion and contraction deformation of LVT floors. When the temperature rises, the glass fiber mesh restricts the expansion of the PVC material, preventing the floors from arching; when the temperature drops, it can avoid the generation of gaps due to floor shrinkage. This stable dimensional performance enables LVT floors to maintain a good laying effect under various complex environmental conditions, improving the applicability and aesthetic appearance of the floors.

(III) Improving Processing Performance

During the production and processing of LVT floors, the glass fiber mesh can also improve the processing performance of the materials. It can make the PVC material more uniform and stable during the extrusion, calendering, and other processes, reducing thickness deviations and surface defects caused by uneven material flow. At the same time, the presence of the glass fiber mesh also helps to improve the molding accuracy of the floors, making the floor dimensions more accurate and the splicing tighter, thus enhancing the overall quality of the products and production efficiency.

III. Application of Glass Fiber Mesh in SPC Floors

(I) Enhancing Rigidity and Compressive Strength

SPC floors are mainly made of calcium powder and polyvinyl chloride through high-temperature extrusion molding. Although SPC floors themselves have certain rigidity and compressive strength, in some places with high requirements for floor bearing capacity, such as factory workshops and warehouses, their performance still needs to be further improved. The addition of glass fiber mesh can significantly enhance the rigidity and compressive strength of SPC floors. The high-strength fiber structure of the glass fiber mesh provides additional supporting force for the floors, enabling them to bear greater loads. When heavy objects are placed for a long time or transported frequently, SPC floors are not prone to dents, indentations, and other problems, ensuring the flatness and service performance of the floors.

(II) Improving Impact Resistance

In daily use, SPC floors will inevitably be impacted by various objects, such as furniture moving and items falling. The glass fiber mesh can effectively disperse and absorb the impact force, reducing cracks and damage caused by impacts. When a heavy object falls, the glass fiber mesh and the SPC floor materials work together to transfer the impact force to a larger area, reducing local stress concentration and thus protecting the floor surface from damage. This excellent impact resistance makes SPC floors more safe and reliable for applications in homes, schools, and other places.

(III) Enhancing Interlayer Bonding Force

SPC floors usually consist of multiple layers, including a wear-resistant layer, a color film layer, a base material layer, etc. The glass fiber mesh can be used as an intermediate layer to enhance the bonding force between layers. During the production process, the glass fiber mesh closely adheres to the upper and lower layers of materials, forming a solid whole and effectively preventing delamination and peeling between layers. This not only improves the overall stability of SPC floors but also ensures the coordinated performance of each layer during long-term use, further enhancing the comprehensive quality of the floors.

IV. Application Cases and Effect Verification

In the floor decoration of a large commercial complex, LVT floors with glass fiber mesh were used. After two years of use, compared with the areas where LVT floors of the same type without glass fiber mesh were laid, the floors in this area remained flat, with no obvious damage or deformation. Even during peak traffic periods, the floors still maintained good performance. Similarly, in a machining workshop, SPC floors with glass fiber mesh were laid. Under the conditions of bearing heavy mechanical equipment and frequent cargo transportation, the floors did not show dents or cracks, effectively protecting the floor foundation. At the same time, it also reduced the later maintenance costs and replacement frequency, fully verifying the significant effect of the glass fiber mesh in improving the performance of LVT and SPC floors.

V. Future Development Trends

With the continuous improvement of people’s requirements for the performance of building decoration materials and the in-depth development of concepts such as environmental protection and energy conservation, the application of glass fiber mesh in LVT and SPC floors will continue to innovate and optimize. On the one hand, researchers will be committed to developing more environmentally friendly and high-performance glass fiber mesh materials, such as using recyclable materials to make the mesh, reducing environmental pollution during the production process. On the other hand, by improving production processes and technologies, the bonding effect between the glass fiber mesh and floor materials will be further enhanced, enabling greater improvements in the mechanical properties and durability of the floors. In addition, with the development of smart home and Internet of Things technologies, glass fiber meshes with special functions, such as conductive and sensing functions, may also be applied to LVT and SPC floors, endowing the floors with more intelligent features and meeting the diverse needs of future building decoration.

In conclusion, the application of glass fiber mesh in LVT and SPC floors has greatly improved the performance and quality of these two types of floors, making them more competitive in the field of building decoration. With the continuous progress and innovation of technology, the application prospects of glass fiber mesh in LVT and SPC floors will be broader, bringing more possibilities for modern building floor decoration.