Hard as metal – we increase the strength of concrete surfaces by ironing

Although concrete is a strong and adaptable building material, it frequently needs extra treatments to increase its durability. An efficient way to accomplish this is by "ironing." Using this method, we can greatly improve the hardness and resistance of concrete surfaces, increasing their resistance to deterioration.

Ironing is the process of applying certain materials and methods to the freshly poured concrete’s surface in order to penetrate and strengthen the top layer. This procedure produces a finish that is more resilient to wear and tear as well as adverse weather. It’s especially helpful for high-traffic areas like driveways and industrial floors where concrete needs to hold up over time.

Ironing has advantages that go beyond just making surfaces harder. Additionally, treated concrete surfaces show better resistance to abrasion, chemicals, and moisture. This offers a more affordable option for both commercial and residential projects because it requires less maintenance and has a longer service life.

Ironing is an easy implementation that causes the least amount of disruption to current construction workflows. This method offers a useful and effective way to increase the strength and performance of your concrete surfaces, whether you’re looking to improve the longevity of a new installation or restore an old one.

Ironing of concrete: what is it?

The process of ironing concrete surfaces, including the application of special compounds, is intended to increase the monolith’s strength. The latter are consistently demonstrated with concrete due to their strong adherence, which also significantly raises the upper layer’s density. Iron does not contain iron, despite its name. It is acknowledged that the concrete base will have the same strength as the metal following processing.

Certain compositions are used to iron the screed and other concrete structures:

• dry mixtures;
• liquid solutions with the addition of special additives;
• polymer compositions.

Crucial! Making ironing with your hands is quite feasible if you precisely follow the methodology. The most important thing is to follow the ingredient ratios and application guidelines; if not, iron efficiency will decline.

When ironing is carried out?

Measures to reinforce concrete structures are already being taken during the filling process to guarantee their strength. For instance, varying fractions of sand are added to the solution, the cement rate is raised, and unique fillers are added.

Nevertheless, the pores in the top layer start to enlarge due to the regular effects of moisture, freezing, and thawing. Concrete breaks and becomes brittle as a result. annihilate its chemicals even more quickly when they penetrate water.

By blocking micropores and sealing the cement coating’s surface, ironing helps prevent moisture from penetrating and causing damage. The concrete surface’s external protection helps to:

• increase in tolerance of mechanical loads;
• reducing the risk of destruction from chemical agents, wind, snow, rain, other atmospheric factors;
• patronage from temperature differences that cause frost and thawing moisture;
• leveling the surface of the product;
• increasing shock strength, resistance to wear.

The blind area, screed, or other concrete structures won’t be susceptible to shaft and cracking after ironing. If no further repairs are made, it will last ten times longer.

Crucial! It is important to keep in mind that ironing has no effect on the monolith’s inherent quality. If the technology’s initial quality was high, it is incredibly effective.

Structures for iron

Most frequently, ironing technology is applied to these kinds of designs:

• parking lots of private and apartment buildings;
• car parking lots;
• floors of warehouses, workshops, rooms with high cross -country ability;
• concrete paths and platforms;
• screeds;
• foundations, blind area;
• floors in garages, sheds, outbuildings, etc.D.

Methods of iron

Ironing is both wet and dry. The first technique is applying a cement mix that is dry and then aligning it. The second method involves processing using particular solutions.

The two methods’ general moments are:

• mandatory thorough preparation of the base;
• correct preparation of the composition for iron;
• Withstand time until the mixture dries completely.

Dry iron

When using a dry technique, the concrete surface is treated with clean cement or special cement compounds with additives. It is done in accordance with concrete that has already been seized, but it is still wet (about 24 hours after pouring at +20 degrees).

This is how the process will work:

1. Clean the base of dust, dirt, construction waste.
2. Pure brand cement of at least M400 or a mixture of cement with sand (1: 1) is sifted through a small sieve.
3. The powder is scattered in a concrete structure with a layer up to 3 mm.
4. After impregnation of cement on a wet base, a new durable layer remains, which is wiped with cells, shovels, grouting machines.
5. Leave concrete for complete dries for 7 days, but they begin careful operation after 24 hours.
6. Periodically spray the structure with water from a spray gun.
7. In order to avoid quick drying in hot weather, a moisturized concrete is covered with a film.

This ironing technique is easy to use and straightforward, but it is limited to horizontal bases.

Wet iron

This technique is applied six to seven days after the concrete structure is filled, but before it hardens completely and after all moisture has evaporated. To prepare for work, a 1:1 cement-sand mixture is made ahead of time and diluted with water until a thick sour cream-like mass is achieved.

It is mixed with up to 10% lime milk to boost its plasticity. Add liquid or dry pigments to achieve the desired shade, if needed.

After the surface has been cleaned, a shoulder blade or cells are used to apply the prepared composition. It is carefully ironed, and grinding machines are used to polish it once it has dried.

Furthermore! Because the repair mass is thick and does not drain, the wet ironing method is appropriate even for bases that are vertical or inclined.

Dry and wet polymers

Colloidal solutions based on liquid glass can be added to the concrete mixture for ironing, up to 10% of the total mass. These additives provide a number of benefits:

• prevention of settlement and accumulation of dust due to antistatic action;
• increasing surface smoothness;
• Acceleration of the drying of the repair layer.

The drawback of wet coating processing is the need to wash liquid glass out of the concrete. However, since polymers (polyurethane additives) do not have this problem, they are thought to be more efficient. They fortify the concrete, keep moisture out of it, and pierce it more deeply than 0.5 cm.

You can operate with polymer compounds in any humidity and air temperature range. All that is required is a spray gun application to the base, followed by an hour-long brush processing period. For many years, a thick layer of concrete with exceptional hydrophobic qualities will shield it from damage.

"The strength and durability of concrete surfaces are greatly increased by ironing them, a process that includes pressing and smoothing the concrete with heated metal tools. This procedure is a great way to prolong the life of floors and other concrete structures in high-traffic areas because it not only produces a harder, more resilient surface but also enhances resistance to wear and tear."

Ways to strengthen concrete: how to choose?

You must consider several factors in order to select the appropriate ironing technique:

1. Effect. If we are talking about processing the garage, you can produce dry iron by ordinary cement of a high brand without additives. The base will strengthen quite well, stop absorbing moisture and will not collapse from the influence of oil products. When working with street structures, it is more advisable to use cement solutions with the addition of liquid glass. Parking and other sites subject to high loads are better to cover with polymer compositions.
2. Drying period. Cement solutions dry much longer than polymers and dry repair compositions. If you use their premises outside, you will have to think over protection against precipitation. For internal work, you can use any methods of ironing, taking into account the timing of the drying of the coatings. Polyurethane mixtures dry out quickly.

Using the ironing method to increase the durability of concrete surfaces is a useful and practical solution. Using a steel trowel, the cement slurry is applied to the surface and then smoothed out. The end product is a polished, hardened layer that greatly increases the concrete’s durability and strength.

The ability of this technique to protect against wear and tear is one of its main advantages. Industrial floors and walkways, which see a lot of traffic, can profit greatly from the additional toughness. In addition to making cleaning simpler and lowering the chance of dusting, the dense, smooth surface also promotes a more hygienic and long-lasting atmosphere.

Ironing concrete surfaces can also improve their appearance. In addition to having a more attractive appearance, the polished finish improves light reflection, which lights up areas. This can be especially helpful in business environments where appearances are just as important as functionality.

All things considered, ironing is an affordable way to increase the strength and longevity of concrete. It can be completed with common tools and needs little material, making it useful for a variety of projects. This method provides an easy way to increase the durability and functionality of concrete surfaces, whether they are used for commercial, industrial, or even residential purposes.

Video on the topic

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