Everbuild 403 Premium Concrete Hardener and Dustproofer, 5 Litre

Product Information

Likewise, with older concrete surfaces, they are subjected to wear and damage that in turn can release dust particles that can easily find their way up through carpets and similar coverings and get into room spaces. Coating older surfaces with a dustproofer can significantly reduce these issues. All applications must be scrubbed to remove any excess product not absorbed into the concrete before it dries on the surface. When adding dyes or tones to a mix this is an absolute must as even the slightest change to the volume of dye or colouring added can cause an easily noticeable visual difference in colour or tone between different mixes. Final finishing for closing pores and removing undulations can be achieved either by hand or powered trowel. Whereas accelerators speed up the curing of a concrete mix, as you may have guessed, retarding admixtures slow down the curing process.

In days past, washing up liquid was typically used to create the same affect, however it has now been proven that using washing up liquid can actually reduce the strength of a concrete mix so don’t be tempted to use this method! The methods by which concrete’s intrinsic properties can be enhanced are very well known. A good, long lasting floor begins with concrete produced from high quality and properly proportioned raw materials that are placed in a timely manner at a low water cement ratio. Then, at the proper time, the surface is hard troweled to a dense finish. Finally, proper curing and the timing of joint cutting are a final yet essential part of the process. (See related article in this issue of Concrete News) Dry shakes are divided into three basic groups according to the type of aggregate that they contain:

As we briefly touched on earlier, Hard-Cem is an integral hardening admixture meant to make concrete more durable against abrasion and erosion. In fact, it’s the only one of its kind on the market currently! Most chemical hardeners are also rich in silica in the form of soluble silicates, siliconates and other proprietary, reactive ingredients which, when placed on hardened concrete, chemically react with weak calcium hydroxide and produce a stronger and denser concrete surface.

I can hardly overstate the importance of the test conditions. Take the example I discussed above, in which Companies A and B reported vastly disparate results for Company A’s hardener. Do you suppose the two companies might have conducted their tests under different conditions? I’d bet on it. When working with concrete in hotter climates the introduction of a retarding admixture can help to offset these affects by slowing the curing rate and helping the mix to retain both its strength and elastic properties. For mechanical application with automatic spreader and laser screed, the spreading can start almost immediately after concrete has been levelled to allow for the hydration of the dry shake. Compaction with the trowel can start as soon as weight of the power trowels is supported by the concrete.

Colour Hardener - Slate Grey 25kg

Dry shake hardeners are applied as a dry compound onto the fresh concrete surface, the application is achieved by hand or mechanical application. Hand application is normally completed after the initial set and floating of the concrete. Mechanical application is commonly performed immediately after concrete placement, before the initial set of the concrete has taken place. After 24 hours, the surface treated can be damp mopped or scrubbed with an auto scrubber and pH neutral cleaner. For one, dry shake products usually have a complicated application process, so there is a higher risk of applying them incorrectly. And because these products often come with toxic silica dust, workers are more likely to get exposed to that material and develop health problems. As a result, we can ensure that our prospective consumers obtain high-quality items. The solution creates a glossy surface, removes water, increases setting time, and extends the mold’s life. Is A Concrete Hardener Required For Your Floor?

Although we stated above that you should refer to the manufacturers directions on how much of a given additive you should use this isn’t necessarily the case when it comes to PVA or SBR. Below you will find a selection of the most commonly used admixtures or additives and how they work to enhance a concrete, cement or mortar mixture. Plasticizers, Superplasticizers and Air-Entraining AdmixturesSome decent examples of concrete admixtures or additives are accelerators, retarders, colourers, waterproofers, frost proofers just to mention a few. Even its application can be versatile. Hard-Cem works with ready-mix, shotcrete, and precast concrete applications. Concrete normally contains some free lime—calcium carbonate—which contributes nothing to strength and durability. It’s there because the chemical reactions that make concrete hard don’t reach every last bit of cement. What we need is testing performed by people who don’t sell hardeners. As far as I can tell, there hasn’t been much of it. But at least two independent researchers, Massud Sadegzadeh and Roger Kettle at Aston University in the U.K.,investigated liquid hardeners in the 1980s and published the results both in Europe and America. For a full rundown on the different types of concrete additives and admixtures and how they should be used, read on below. Using Admixtures and Additives in Concrete and Mortar Mixes