Concrete Curing Compounds: Learn Everything About The Technique [2024]

What are the curing techniques for concrete?

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Carefully and properly done, concrete curing can increase structure strength by up to thirty times. To be efficient, this procedure must be performed within twelve hours of applying fresh concrete. Before chemical curing, it is necessary to technically analyze the construction process, the deformation speed and the resistance of the precast elements.

In addition to structural factors, the place where the cure will be performed must be considered when choosing the criteria to be applied, as winds and low temperatures can influence and hinder the process.

The cure is very easy to perform, but it is always essential to have the support of a professional in the area. There are some techniques for applying this procedure, which you can check out below.

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Wet cure

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This is the traditional way of applying the technique, keeping the surface with water to conserve the desired humidity. This procedure is the most common in works for residential slabs.

A cure development chamber has equipment that nebulizes water over the concrete blocks. The geotextile blanket also retains water and prevents evaporation, but it gradually builds up the water needed to cure the concrete. The biggest advantage of this blanket is that it reduces the frequency of surface wetting.

These last two processes are more focused on larger areas or industrial processes, as the initial investment ends up being diluted over the time of use or manufacture of the parts.

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Chemical cure

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In this procedure, a film on the fresh concrete surface to prevent water evaporation. This film is made of paraffins, special polymers, acrylic resins and waxes. Chemical curing has financial and logistical advantages. In addition to being sustainable, the practice allows you to save on labor to keep the surface wet in the first week.

Chemical curing is ideal for use on cement-based products. Some examples are industrial floors, slabs, dams, raised retaining walls, and façade cladding mortars.

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Thermal cure

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Thermal curing accelerates the concrete curing process to obtain minimum mechanical strength in a short period of time. In these cases, the concrete pieces are subjected to high temperatures at scheduled times. Thermal curing is widely used by companies that operate with concrete precast.

The reduction of concrete curing time in this process allows the use of formwork, curing equipment and prestressing beds. In addition, the pieces can be put into service for a shorter time than traditional healing.

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Steam cure

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Steam curing takes place by applying RH (relative humidity) and controlling the temperature so that it is above the environment. Very common in cold environments, the technique can also be used when you are in a hurry to perform the deformation. Using maturity techniques to obtain lower resistances, steam curing was widely used in the 1970s. Nowadays, it is rarely applied.

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How to apply chemical curing to concrete?

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The procedure must be carried out during the first stages of concrete hardening and, depending on the situation, can be done in a variety of ways. In addition, the cost must also be analyzed. Based on this information, a specialized professional is able to determine the best healing method to be employed.

Chemical curing must be applied directly to fresh concrete, delaying significant water loss until the surface hardens. The method forms a protective film over the region, preventing water evaporation and protecting against the accumulation of dust and dirt during the concrete hardening process. This surface protective film can be removed 20 days after application.

To enhance resistance and improve finish, Blok Cure is the best chemical curing agent for polished concrete. Recommended for industrial floors, the product slows the elimination of water and offers high durability for concrete. It can be applied to all types of horizontal concreting.

Another advantage of Blok Cure is your ability to self-extinguish, that is, at the end of the initial healing process of concrete, Blok Cure will not leave any residue on the surface, making the cleaning process more practical and also not hindering the subsequent finishing of the concrete, such as painting or laying floors.

The chemical cure procedure is easy to apply and can be considered one of the main methods. It guarantees strength gain and longer lifespan for concrete. When the part removes more water than necessary, a factor known as concrete shrinkage.

The most common pathological manifestation to occur in buildings is plastic retraction. This happens when the water is eliminated shortly before the concrete begins to harden. Some factors that lead to plastic shrinkage are the exposure of the concrete to strong winds or excessive heat and the low relative humidity of the air. This phenomenon can damage the entire structure of a building.

Concrete curing does not yet have a specific technical standard published. However, the procedure is cited and required by the ABNT NBR 14931, which defines detailed requirements for the execution of concrete works. The product used to perform the chemical cure must comply with the standard ASTM C-309, which establishes the maximum evaporation level and the period of time required.

As we have seen, the fundamental objective of the concrete curing process is to prevent shrinkage cracks and Trincas providing better strength of structures. In addition, the process protects against attacks from external agents and increases the useful life of the concrete. In addition to improving the finish, chemical curing for concrete improves the appearance of the pieces, leaving the finish even better.

Do you want to know more about these techniques? Enjoy the visit and Learn more about additives for concrete curing!