What is the reinforcement of concrete used after pouring the

Monolithic concrete, due to its high strength and durability, occupies a leading position among all building materials used for the construction of residential, commercial and industrial buildings and structures. However, despite the high strength, the surface of monolithic concrete is subject to destruction and erosion as a result of exposure to various external factors.

In order to prevent harmful effects and improve the performance of this material, most often used is a liquid concrete hardener, which is applied to a monolithic surface after it hardens.

Increasing the strength of the concrete surface

In order to study this issue in more detail, this article will consider various types of surface treatment of monolithic concrete, which are aimed at increasing its strength and additional protection against the influence of external factors.

Also here will be presented a brief instruction, which describes the technology of the use of such substances during construction.

The main purpose of hardening substances

In order to fully understand the necessity and expediency of using such substances, first of all, you need to have an idea of ​​how they act and what their protective functions are.

Frozen concrete is a solid microporous structure, which consists of particles of a binder (cement) and ballast aggregate (quartz sand, crushed stone, granite chips) bonded to each other. Destruction and erosion of the concrete surface arise mainly due to external abrasive impact, which leads to gradual abrasion and the formation of dust.

In addition, when water and other aggressive substances get into the pores of the material, they break its internal structure, weaken the bonds of the crystal lattice, which leads to the formation of cracks and subsequent destruction.

In order to provide reliable protection against such phenomena, the classic reinforcement for concrete, as a rule, has the following properties:

1. Increases the mechanical strength of the outer layer of concrete due to the binder, which penetrates into the thickness of the material, holds together all the solid particles, forming a uniform monolithic surface.
2. Provides additional waterproofing of the outer layer, thereby preventing the ingress of water and aggressive substances into the thickness of the material.
3. Increases wear resistance and abrasion resistance of the material, and also prevents the formation of dust and cracks on its surface during operation.
4. After drying is a good basis for applying special paints and other finishing materials.

   Tip! Many builders are familiar with the phenomenon of cracking the surface of a concrete screed during solidification. The use of chemical hardeners immediately after setting the solution significantly reduces the likelihood of such cracks.

Varieties of concrete hardeners

Currently, there are a large number of different types of hardening substances, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages and is intended for use in certain conditions.

1. A dry reinforcement for a concrete floor is a mixture of high-quality cement (high grade Portland cement), mineral aggregates having high abrasive resistance (granite or corundum chips) and surface-active chemical additives that improve the adhesion of the working composition to the concrete solution. The main distinctive quality of dry mixes is relatively low price, compared with other types of hardeners.

1. Chemical hardening impregnation is, as a rule, a water dispersion solution of certain salts and oxides, which enhance the crystalline bonds of cement with particles of ballast aggregate (sand, gravel, crushed stone) and reduce the absorption of moisture after solidification of the solution.
2. Two-component compositions based on epoxy resins, penetrating into the frozen solution, solid particles are bound to each other during the polymerization process, as a result of which they form a waterproof monolithic surface.
3. Penetrating compositions based on polyurethane resins act similarly to epoxy, but after polymerization they withstand lower compressive stress.

   Tip! To ensure the normal reaction of concrete with any kind of hardener, the temperature of the monolithic surface should not be below + 10 ° C, while the minimum critical temperature for using such compositions is + 5 ° C.

Mode of application

The technology of using different types of compositions has a significant difference between arcs from each other and, as a rule, is carried out at different stages of solidification of a monolithic surface.

1. Dry hardening mixtures must be applied to a freshly poured concrete mortar, immediately after it can be made on it, without fear of disrupting the integrity of its surface. The composition should be distributed over the entire area in a uniform layer, the thickness of which is indicated in the instructions for use. After that, grout using a manual or electric grouting tool.
2. A liquid chemical hardener for the concrete floor is applied after the mortar has partially set. As a rule, this occurs 3-7 hours after pouring the monolith. For application, you can use a pneumatic spray gun, as well as a paint roller or a wide brush with a long handle.
3. Penetrating compositions based on epoxy or polyurethane can be used only after complete solidification and drying of the monolithic surface. In the process of preparing an epoxy composition with your own hands, you must strictly observe the proportions of the hardener and the base, which are indicated in the instructions for use.

   Tip! The viability of compositions based on epoxy resins, as a rule, is limited in time, so they need to be prepared in small portions, in an amount that can be consumed within 20-30 minutes of work.

Conclusion

After reading this article, it becomes clear that there are a large number of various chemical and mineral compounds, with which you can independently increase the strength and durability of the surfaces of monolithic concrete.

For more information on this issue, you can watch the video in this article or read similar materials on our website.