Innovations in coatings

About concrete hardeners:

 All available concrete hardeners and densifiers in today’s marketplace will provide, in general, three main benefits:

       • Surface hardening

      • Surface dust proofing

      • Surface sealing

These benefits are result of a chemical reaction that takes place between the actual silicate/silicanate, portland cement, and the calcium hydroxide (free limes) in the concrete.  When the reaction takes place, crystals are formed that fill any empty pores within the cream of the concrete, resulting in a hardened and densified surface.

 A lithium silicate will evenly penetrate into a tight steel troweled finish, burnished finish, broom finish, or a float finish.  This is possible because of its small molecular structure.  Contrary, sodium silicate is much larger and has a difficult time to evenly penetrate tighter finishes.  Lithium silicate will evenly react filling all empty pores with no inconsistencies or weak points at the surface.  Sodium or potassium based hardeners will react inconsistently, therefore will leave the weak spots at the surface, which will eventually cause those areas to deteriorate and dust.

The lithium silica reacts with the calcium hydroxide in the concrete to form stable tri-calcium silica structures that are insoluble, providing greater density and resistance to abrasion, dusting, and attack.  Contrary, a single structure of sodium silicate is leaving opportunity for deterioration, dusting and attack to the surface.

A concrete surface that was hardened and densified through consistent and deeper penetration will produce increased hardness, abrasion resistance, long-term durability, and a dust-proofed surface, making surface easy to clean and maintain.

Why lithium silicate hardener?

Lower viscosity and alkalinity allows lithium hardeners to achieve deeper and more complete penetration. This creates a denser, harder bond, leaving far fewer un-reacted calcium hydroxide molecules with a wider distribution of lithium particles during absorption.

 Smaller molecules of lithium make the reaction more even and consistent, creating a denser surface. On the other hand, sodium and potassium densifiers react inconsistently and irregularly, leaving clusters of calcium hydroxide, reacted and un-reacted, spread throughout the concrete surface resulting in a weaker, irregular bond. This is the basis for a potential problem if moisture should penetrate into the concrete substrate, initiating an Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR).
 
Lithium hardeners react with calcium elements in concrete, building strong and very stable silicate structures, maximizing and extending lithium reactivity. Lithium hardeners also react with calcium hydroxide covering the substrate, forming complex tri-calcium silicate compounds that keep moisture out. These compounds block the micro pores in concrete, practically eliminating moisture absorption into the concrete substrate. Although these reactions are common to most surface densifiers, lithium hardeners react more completely and evenly than sodium and potassium.

 Lithium hardeners will not contribute to map cracking or crazing and will not form silica gel to seal the concrete surface like sodium and potassium hardeners.

Lithium hardeners will not absorb water like sodium or potassium and are less water-soluble. Thus the concrete is more water resistant.

Lithium hardeners will prevent or reduce Alkali Silica Reactivity (ASR). Silica in the aggregate reacts with alkalies in hydrated cement to form a gel that expands when water is introduced. This reaction produces huge pressures that cause cracks to develop in concrete - cracks that lead to accelerated deterioration of the surface protective layer. These cracks and micro-cracks allow water to penetrate into the substrate, causing corrosion of reinforcing steel, freeze thaw damage, and other problems. Lithium hardeners will help keep moisture out of the substrate and prevent occurrence of a chemical reaction between alkalies, silica and moisture. ASR reactions will not occur without water.
 
Sodium and potassium hardeners directly contribute to the ASR issue by the very nature of adding potassium and sodium into the concrete. Lithium based hardeners, using a sophisticated and proprietary chemistry, are free of potassium and sodium.

 All Lithium products are Planet Safe.