Alternative concrete sealant

Concrete sealants can be categorised as organic and inorganic.

 −  Organic concrete sealants include acrylic sealers, epoxy coatings, urethane sealants, polyureas, polyaspartics and a host of other genres that are characterised by a film of sealant on the surface of the concrete, held there by a mechanical bond.

−   Inorganic concrete sealants are derived from natural compounds from the earth such as minerals and chemically react with the concrete to form a permanent bond to repel dirt and liquids without a film on top of the concrete.

These inorganic concrete sealants are an alternative to a glossy coating that require less effort, are less toxic, have no VOC's, are less expensive and easier to apply as well as being more permanent.

Preparation is less important

Preparation is less important to a successful floor however it must be free of other sealers or curing compounds. If preparation is required see Concrete Garage Floor Coating for methods.

These inorganic concrete sealants come under the genre of concrete hardeners and comprise four main types with different properties which are:

1.  Magnesium Fluorosilicates

2.  Sodium Silicates

3. Potassium Silicates

4. Lithium Silicates

5. Amorphous Silica

Magnesium Fluorosilicates,

The oldest concrete hardeners that require multiple applications and probably the least effective today.

Sodium Silicates

These are the least expensive, do not penetrate deeply, will not bead water and make up over 90% of the floor hardeners available in USA. Typical application is by mechanical action to break down the surface tension, misting with water to reform a gel, then rinsed and wet vacuum removed.

Potassium Silicates

Better for old worn concrete, more expensive than Sodium Silicates, deeper penetration except in dense substrates, will not cause efflorescent salts to appear, can expand internally causing map cracking on the surface and represents about 3% of the water based mineral concrete sealants available in USA.

Lithium Silicates

These were mainly developed to counter the expanding properties of the above which can cause cracking of the surface. They are also non soluble so ground water will not interfere and the concrete will not absorb water. The smaller ions allow deeper penetration, especially in dense concrete, efflorescence is not a problem, and it is unaffected by salt spray. The application procedure by light spray is less sensitive too.

Amorphous Silica

Silicas are applied by spray and harden concrete up to twice as much as the silicates above, they do not raise the PH of concrete, are safer to use for both humans and the environment and are the best concrete densifier and hardener available. Water will not penetrate the slab and if oil is removed quickly it will not stain.

The above concrete sealants are a good alternative to organic coatings and should be considered for many concrete surfaces.

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