Concrete sealer is applied to concrete to protect it against staining, corrosion, and water damage. They either form a protective impermeable membrane that blocks these substances from passing through or block the pores on the concrete to prevent absorption of moisture and acids. Once applied, it has the potential of reducing corrosion due to its structural stiffening property, which improves durability of concrete structures. They are also commonly used to line swimming pools, marinas, driveways, parking lots, sidewalk cracks, walls, and other concrete surfaces. Keep reading this article to find out how to choose a concrete sealer.
A warehouse concrete sealer application contains several components, including a polymer substrate, curing agents such as UV stabilizers and binders such as friction modifiers, and surfactants. When mixed with water, the substrate hardens, while the curing agents, particularly ultraviolet stabilizers, expand and set the surface into a semi-permeable film. As a result, the concrete coating is sealed into a smooth, flat, glossy finish.
Another type of concrete sealer is the epoxy coating, which can be further subdivided into two general types. The first type is the acrylic-coated concrete sealer, which contains a resinsulator, such as urethane, in between the acrylic molecules. urethane is typically a white crystalline chemical that forms a protective sheath over the acrylic coating. Other common urethanes include polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, and polystyrene.
There are a number of different types of urethanes, each with its own purpose. Some of them are suitable for use in sealing concrete sealers and others are not. The most popular of the different types are those that resist moisture penetration. These include urethane spray, liquid urethane, and the like. Spray sealants usually provide a smooth, consistent, glossy surface while liquid urethanes are applied with a special urethane brush.
Meanwhile, other new concrete sealer products are intended to improve the aesthetic appeal of the structure they protect. Some examples are colossal and clearseal products. Colorseal, as the name suggests, is a special product that colossal concrete materials. Such substances can either add highlights or change their appearance completely. Clearseal, on the other hand, makes the material shinier and more vibrant looking, especially if it's used in areas where light tends to diminish.
Another type of concrete sealer is the epoxy one. Epoxy sealants are composed of two primary components, the resin and the hardener. The hardener component contains calcium thioglycolate, which form a dense and hardening agent, and the resin contains ultraviolet stabilizers. Basically, these substances give urethane an ability to resist a wide range of chemicals, including those that attack or stain concrete. In addition, some epoxy substances also contain chemicals that help repel water, among others. Find out more details in relation to this topic here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete.