Chemical hardening

Chemical hardening²

The process of chemical hardening is based on two interrelated processes –

1) the transformation of the active component liquid phase to rigid silica C-S-H gel in the pores of the material accelerated by an organometallic catalyst and

2) the transformation of particles with low hardness to particles with significantly higher hardness.

ad 1) The surface sealing with C-S-H gel is induced by a chemical reaction of the compounds from the hydrated concrete and a unique combination of pure silicates. The reaction results in “sealing” porous structures in the concrete by silica C-S-H gel. As the chemical reaction is supported by the access of water, every further washing or sprinkling with water causes solution of the active components in the already loaded floor and the reaction can penetrate into considerable depth and, at the same time, it is induced repeatedly. This reaction is controlled and accelerated by means of a catalytic system of the latest generation, providing for significantly higher efficiency of the liquid silicate transformation into an amorphous gel structure, filling in both micro- and macropores of the cement composite, compared with non-catalysed systems. Also in this case, moistening of the cement product causes repeated activation of the catalytic system. This enables further penetration and ensures more and more durable treatment of the surface layers.

ad 2) The process of particles transformation and hardening is supported by active chemical components reacting mainly with low resistant particles on the cement product surface. This reaction supports the transformation of particles with low hardness to particles with significantly higher hardness, compared with the original status. This selective chemical reaction occurs not only on the surface of micro/macroparticles, but it also works on molecular level.

This results in surface hardening, dust-free floor surface layer and considerably higher hardness and surface resistance to abrasion, impact load, etc. Apart from that, the originally non-resistant micro- and macroparticles often exhibit easy solubility which can be described as washing particles out of the surface or dusting. Having applied FormulaForte, most of the water non-resistant particles are transformed into water resistant particles. Last but not least, the final surface shows much lesser absorption with no particles washout which contributes to the construction durability both in the interior and exterior, where the surface layer is exposed to chemical and defrosting substances.