This crystalline formation can only occur where moisture is present, thus it will only form in the pores, capillary tracts, and shrinkage cracks of the concrete.
Wherever water goes, crystalline waterproofing will form filling the pores, voids and cracks. When crystalline waterproofing is applied to the surface, either as a coating or as a dry-shake application to a fresh concrete slab, a process called chemical diffusion takes place.
The theory behind diffusion is that a solution of high chemical density will migrate through a solution of lower chemical density until the two equalize. Thus, when concrete is saturated with water prior to applying crystalline waterproofing, a solution of low chemical density is introduced into the porosity concrete.
When crystalline waterproofing is applied to the concrete surface, a solution of high chemical density is created, triggering the process of chemical diffusion.
The crystalline waterproofing chemicals must migrate through the water the solution of low density until the two solutions equalize. When the crystalline waterproofing chemicals spread into and through the concrete they become available to the by-products of cement hydration thus allowing the chemical reaction to take place forming a non-soluble crystalline structure.
As the chemicals continue to diffuse through the water, the crystalline growth will form behind the advancing chemical front. The reaction will continue until the crystalline chemicals are either depleted or run out of water. Chemical diffusion can carry these chemicals up to 12 inches into the concrete.
If water has permeated two inches into the substrate, then the crystalline chemicals can only diffuse to this depth but, they still have the potential to penetrate 10 inches further. Instead of reducing the porosity of concrete, like water reducers and superplasticizers, the crystalline formation fills and plugs the voids in concrete becoming an integral and permanent part of the structure. Because these crystalline formations are within the concrete and are not exposed at the surface, they cannot be punctured or otherwise damaged like membranes or surface coatings.
Crystalline waterproofing is highly resistant to chemicals where the pH range is between three and 11 under constant contact, and two to 12 under periodic contact. Today, we continue the tradition. Select a country Distributor Login Search. Xypex Crystalline Technology More than fifty years ago, demonstrating some brilliant ingenuity, a group of chemists at Xypex Chemical Corporation developed a technology that would change the way concrete is protected from intrusive liquids.
Also in this section. All rights reserved. The gel products are applied using a simple spray system, and completely absorb into the concrete, leaving the surface of the concrete unchanged.
The surface of the concrete can still be painted or coated with an aesthetic coating after the waterproofing has been completed.
The gel-based products also act as a densifier for the concrete surface. For example, a concrete pour that was initially tested at 3, psi would test at roughly 5, psi after the gel had fully formed within the concrete matrix. Also, the modified silicate gel-based products perform more effectively than crystalline products in structures that experience building movement or high-thermal stress, due to their inherent flexible characteristics. Over the last 30 years Alchemco has used many different products and services to solve the problems associated with moisture protection.
With the development of new technology and manufacturing capabilities, Alchemco evolved into becoming a world leader in the moisture and surface protection market. Before joining Alchemco, Mario Baggio served more than 10 years in the concrete protection and waterproofing industry in multiple countries.
Cast-In-Place Concrete vs. A waterproofing expert evaluates the advantages of each method. Gel Waterproofing By Mario Baggio Crystalline waterproofing and modified silicate gel-based approaches may look similar, but they work in different ways, and each has its own advantages. Manufacturers recommend water-based or self-adhered systems. Your email address will not be published.
Interested in knowing more have been in the Waterproofing industry commercially and residential for 15 years. Interested in possibly becoming a distributor and installer. Lloyd Warr Crystalline vs. Gel Waterproofing. By Mario Baggio.
A vertical, below-grade application of biochemically modified gel. Modified Silicate Gel For Existing Concrete Structures Both of these technologies fall into the integral waterproofing category, which means they do their protective work inside the concrete matrix.
Fall Back Issue quantity. SKU: Category: Description Cast-In-Place Concrete vs. Additional Info. Reviews 0. Reviews There are no reviews yet.
0コメント