ASTM C309: Modern Conversations on an Established Standard

ASTM C309 has long been the standard by which membrane-forming concrete curing compounds are judged.

While applicable for its time and still a valid indicator when dealing with rougher finished concrete, the preparation method prescribed by ASTM C156 and then tested by ASTM C309 does not take into account current finishing techniques involved with today’s steel troweled floor slabs. To understand why this is relevant, the preparation procedures for the test itself need to be understood to make a comparison to the specific type of finish being discussed here.

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World of Concrete 2018

We've been attending World of Concrete for over 4 decades now and it just keeps getting better every year.  We look forward to meeting new people, seeing long-time friends face-to-face, and telling everyone about our full line of products.  We were busy this year with representation in three different locations.

At our main booth, our organic concrete build-up and splatter remover Blast-Off was a big attraction. We had a great time talking about the benefits of this safe-on-all-surfaces product and demonstrating its effectiveness through display and video.

New Products Showcase

Adjacent to our main booth was our New Product Showcase where attendees could learn all about what's new in our assortment. The following products were featured for each category:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Product Showcase

We loved having this dedicated space for giving our new products their own spotlight at the show.

Nox-Crete at Concrete Decor Live!

Outside the Las Vegas Convention Center - in addition to seeing our ads on the benches - tradeshow attendees could see our products in action at Concrete Decor Live! Nox-Crete colors and textures from the Duro-Color Floor System were used to create a Las Vegas / Harley-Davidson logo in the orange building's "biker bar".

Throughout the week, visitors to the exhibit enjoyed a live demonstration of densifiers, dyes, surface retarders, and sealers. Concrete Decor provided an educational and inspiring experience for all and we were proud to be a part of it.

To everyone who stopped by, thanks for coming to see us. We look forward to seeing you all again for World of Concrete 2019.

Liquid Hardeners Realize Maximum Performance When Applied After 28 Days

Patience is a Virtue - Testing Confirms Liquid Hardeners Realize Maximum Performance When Applied After 28 Days

A growing trend within the concrete flooring industry is to apply liquid hardeners on freshly-troweled concrete in what is referred to as a “pre-seal” or a “cure-coat.” Conversely, Nox-Crete has historically advised applicators to wait and apply liquid floor hardeners a minimum of 28 days after concrete placement to allow for maximum performance. The 28 day recommendation was based on intuition and a strong understanding of the chemistry behind liquid floor hardeners and the means by which they densify concrete surfaces. The lack of conclusive data led Nox-Crete to not only ask but to answer the question, does the timing of the application (Day One vs. Day 28) impact the liquid floor hardener’s ability to improve abrasion resistance? Continue reading

Independent Testing Confirms Duro-Nox Abrasion Resistance

Concrete floors are subjected to continuous wear, from heavy equipment in the manufacturing world to the retail industry’s constant foot traffic. In response, many design professionals use liquid floor hardeners or densifiers to increase protection against potential damage and premature wear of the slab surface.

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Rethinking the Cure of Concrete Floors

The Standard for measuring the effectiveness of curing compounds has historically been ASTM C 309, “Standard Specification for Liquid Membrane-Forming Compounds for Curing Concrete.” The test procedure for this specification measures the moisture loss of a test specimen that has a wood float finish and utilizes a liquid membrane-forming compound. While this Standard has proven to be an effective measure to gage acceptable curing products for concrete, developments in the placement/finish of concrete and advancing technologies of concrete chemicals have paved the way for innovative perspectives on curing of concrete, particularly as it pertains to industrial floors.

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