What are cementitious polymers?
Cementitious polymers are a class of polymers specifically designed for cementitious materials, i.e. concrete.
When cementitious polymer materials are combined with cement it creates a composite material with improved properties. It can work any number of ways, however, we use it to mix with a cement-based resurfacing compound, such as an acrylic polymer, to create a material that has the strength and durability of cement, but with added flexibility and improved resistance to water and other elements.
Cementitious polymers are commonly used in construction, particularly in the repair and rehabilitation of concrete structures. They can also be used as coatings, grouts, and adhesives.
Barefoot concrete specializes in four cementitious polymers. As can be seen from the main image, we supply them in 20L pails and each has a different colour lid to make it easy to identify: a yellow, white, blue and green lid.
For concrete, we use our polymer as a primer for concrete coatings, as an acrylic modifier in concrete, as a grouting polymer, as water-based sealers.
The yellow lid – Y863
The yellow lid, as we fondly call it, is a styrene acrylic polymer. This is a type of copolymer that is formed by the polymerization of styrene and acrylic monomers. It is a versatile material with a wide range of uses, including:
- Paints and coatings: Styrene acrylic polymer is a common binder used in water-based and low-VOC paints and coatings. It provides good film formation and improved water resistance compared to traditional acrylic polymers.
- Adhesives: Styrene acrylic polymer can be used as an adhesive in the construction industry, for example in tile and flooring applications, providing a strong bond and good flexibility.
- Sealants: Styrene acrylic polymer can be used as a sealant in construction and industrial applications. It provides good flexibility and resistance to weathering and UV radiation.
- Textile finishes: Styrene acrylic polymer is used as a finishing agent for textiles, providing improved wrinkle resistance, water repellency and durability.
- Other industrial uses: Styrene acrylic polymer can be used in various other industrial applications, such as in the production of pressure-sensitive adhesives, inks, and as a dispersant in pigments and fillers suspensions.
Barefoot Concrete uses Y863:
- As a super-strong concrete binder and water reducer.
- As an admix to create super-strong and waterproof concrete.
- To increase surface strength and water resistance of concrete when applied topically.
- As an excellent primer for spray-on coloured cement finishes.
- Applied directly onto new concrete for a rapid cure to save fresh slabs from rain damage.
- To stabilise and strengthen friable surfaces.
- To add strength to render cement.
- As an excellent primer for rendered and plastered walls.
- As a very cost-effective method of increasing the quality of the render.
- As a paint primer for exterior paints.
The white lid – W881
The white lid, or W881, has three main functions, as an acrylic modifier, a concrete sealer, and as a grouting polymer.
W881 is a pure acrylic copolymer emulsion and is a type of polymer that is formed by the polymerization of acrylic monomers and typically contains no other types of polymer. It is an aqueous dispersion of tiny polymer particles that are suspended in water. These particles have a slight negative charge, which gives them the ability to repel each other and remain dispersed in water. This allows for easy mixing and application of the polymer.
Pure acrylic copolymer emulsions are used in a variety of applications, including:
- Paints and coatings: Pure acrylic copolymer emulsions are commonly used as binders in water-based paints and coatings, providing good film formation, durability, and resistance to water and UV radiation.
- Adhesives: They are also used in adhesive applications, providing a strong bond and good flexibility.
- Sealants: They can be used as sealants in construction and industrial applications, providing good flexibility and resistance to weathering and UV radiation.
- Textile finishes: They are used as a finishing agent for textiles, providing improved wrinkle resistance, water repellency and durability.
- Other industrial uses: They can be used in various other industrial applications, such as in the production of pressure-sensitive adhesives, inks, and as a dispersant in pigments and fillers suspensions.
It’s worth mentioning that the way we use our W881 pure acrylic copolymer emulsion is in the construction industry as a waterproofing and protection system for concrete and other building materials.
The blue lid – B883 and the green lid – G887
Our B883 and G887 are sourced from the same base formulation. Both are surfactant-stabilized self-crosslinking pure acrylic emulsions and are a type of polymer that is formed by the polymerization of acrylic monomers and typically contains no other types of polymer. They are an aqueous dispersion of tiny polymer particles that are stabilized by surfactants, which are molecules that lower the surface tension of liquids and help to keep the polymer particles suspended in water.
What is unique about these two products is that they have a self-crosslinking feature that allows the polymer to crosslink with itself, forming a network of polymer chains that provides increased strength and durability. This makes the material suitable for applications that require a strong bond and good resistance to water and other elements.
The main application of surfactant-stabilized self-crosslinking pure acrylic emulsions in the construction industry is as a water-based concrete sealer, a natural stone sealer, and as a concrete curing compound on fresh concrete. In a broader sense, it is used to formulate water-based paints and coatings that provide good film formation, durability and resistance to water and UV radiation, as well as improved adhesion, flexibility, and durability.
This type of emulsion can also be used in adhesives, sealants, textile finishes, and other industrial applications, such as in the production of pressure-sensitive adhesives, and inks, and as a dispersant in pigments and fillers suspensions.
- As a versatile sealer for all types of new and existing concrete and paved surfaces
- Aiding in the curing of new installation cement-based materials
- Protecting new concrete from DAY ONE
- Its ability to be applied to a wet surface immediately after cleaning
- Stain resistance against oil, dirt and other substances
- To help minimises surface cracking
- Saving applicators and clients time and money
- That it can be buffed to a high-gloss finish
- Increasing surface quality and durability
- Its eco-friendly, low VOC, and is a Non-Hazardous Material
- It’s easy to clean up with water
- Its UV Resistant
- It will not delaminate, flake or turn yellow
G887 has an additional additive added to it and can be used with confidence to seal and provide stain protection for all types of natural stone, including benchtops and tables. It can also be used as a final gloss coat together with another Barefoot Concrete product, usually W881 Sealer or B883 Sealer.
It has these additional features:
- Is a water-based penetrating sealer
- Provides superior stain-protection
- It is a great option to seal natural stone benchtops used in outdoor kitchens as it is UV Stable, Non-Toxic and won’t peel, blister or turn yellow
- It is an excellent topcoat option for driveways, alfresco’s, around pools or wherever a higher gloss finish is required.
Barefoot Concrete polymers are also unique in that that they are concentrated and are wet on wet application ready.
Wet-on-wet application sealers are a type of sealant that can be applied to a surface while it is still wet, without the need for the surface to be completely dry before application. This allows for faster and more efficient application, as well as the ability to apply multiple coats in a short period of time. Wet-on-wet sealers are typically used to seal and protect surfaces such as concrete, wood, and other building materials.
There are different types of wet-on-wet sealers, but typically they are based on acrylic polymers that are formulated to be applied to wet surfaces. They can be applied using a roller, brush, or sprayer, and they provide a protective barrier that can help to resist water, stains, and UV radiation.
Wet-on-wet sealers can be used in a variety of applications, including:
- Concrete sealers: They can be used to seal and protect new or existing concrete surfaces, such as floors, driveways, and patios.
- Wood sealers: They can be used to seal and protect wood decks, fences, and other outdoor wood structures.
- Other building materials: They can be used to seal and protect other types of building materials, such as brick, stone, and stucco.
- Industrial coatings: They can also be used in industrial settings, such as in warehouses and factories, to protect and seal concrete floors, walls, and other surfaces.
It’s worth mentioning that wet-on-wet sealers are typically more flexible than their traditional counterparts, and can be applied in more humid conditions, which makes them a good option for construction projects in tropical or rainy environments.
The benefits of a concentrated formulation
Concentrated polymers are beneficial because they allow for more efficient use of the polymer, and can provide improved performance in certain applications. Some of the benefits of concentrated polymers include:
- Cost savings: Because concentrated polymers are more concentrated, less material is needed to achieve the same performance as a less concentrated polymer. This can result in cost savings for the user, as less polymer needs to be purchased and transported.
- Improved performance: Concentrated polymers can provide improved performance in certain applications, such as increased strength, durability, and resistance to water and other elements.
- Easy to handle: Concentrated polymers are typically easier to handle than less concentrated forms of the same polymer. They are typically more stable and have a longer shelf life, which can make them more convenient to store and transport.
- Flexibility in the formulation: Concentrated polymers can be used to formulate a wide variety of products, such as paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and other industrial products. They can be used as an additive to enhance the properties of the final product.
- Reduced environmental impact: Using concentrated polymers can reduce the amount of packaging and transportation needed, which can have a positive impact on the environment.
It’s worth mentioning that the use of concentrated polymers can have a higher initial investment cost, but in the long run, it can be more cost-effective due to the reasons mentioned above.