Understanding Concrete Curing and Its Importance
Curing: Essential for Concrete Performance
Curing is the critical process of maintaining moisture in concrete within an optimal temperature range following placement. This process is vital for the concrete to achieve its designed properties and to mitigate cracks that can severely impact its durability. Proper curing helps prevent harmful materials from penetrating the concrete, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Good curing practices influence the concrete’s ultimate:
Durability
Strength
Water Tightness
Abrasion Resistance
Volume Stability
Resistance to Freeze/Thaw Cycles and Deicing Salts
These properties can be significantly compromised when curing is inadequate. According to ACI 308, "curing" refers to the process by which hydraulic-cement concrete matures and hardens over time due to continuous hydration of the cement in the presence of adequate water and heat. This term also describes the actions taken to maintain moisture and temperature in freshly placed cementitious mixtures, allowing the hydration and pozzolanic reactions to occur, thus achieving the mixture's potential properties (ACI 116R and ASTM C 125).
Advantages of Using Concrete Curing Compounds
Early Application: Curing compounds can be applied within 30 minutes of casting, after the bleeding water has evaporated and the surface sheen has disappeared.
Single Operation: Applied in one operation, ensuring complete coverage and aiding in quality control of concrete.
Reflective Colors: Available in white and other solar-reflective colors to reduce surface heat by reflection.
Water Scarcity Solutions: Indispensable in areas with limited or no water availability.
Large Exposed Areas: Ideal for concrete roads, bridges, runways, and other large surfaces.
Inaccessible Areas: Suitable for curing structures cast with slip forms, tall chimneys, cooling towers, and other difficult-to-access areas.
Overhead Repairs: Practical for overhead repairs where water curing is not feasible and can affect working conditions.
Economic Benefits: Cost-effective for industries manufacturing precast concrete products such as pipes, poles, girders, and tiles.
By incorporating curing compounds, you can ensure superior quality and durability of your concrete structures, even in challenging conditions.
Greeno Cure Guard-R is a liquid membrane-forming compound developed for the curing of concrete. This formulation, ready-to-use and pigmented in white, is a blend of specially crafted acrylic polymer-based synthetic resin, meeting ASTM C 309-86, TYPE-II standards.
Conventional curing techniques such as continuous water spraying or ponding can be cumbersome and costly. Evaporation of water from concrete can result in issues like capillary pores, diminished compressive strengths, surface chipping, and crack formation. Greeno Cure Guard-R creates a temporary membrane on freshly cast or exposed concrete surfaces post-formwork removal, preserving adequate moisture within the concrete for efficient curing. This aids in minimizing drying shrinkage, cracks, and dust formation on surfaces.
USAGE
Greeno Cure Guard-R finds applications in:
Forming a temporary membrane on freshly cast or newly exposed concrete surfaces to facilitate effective curing.
Large concrete areas like pavements, runways, bridge decks, and industrial floors.
Vertical or sloping surfaces such as chimneys, towers, silos, canal lining, columns, and beams where water curing may be impractical or unreliable.
FEATURES
Single Coat Application: Forms a moisture barrier throughout the curing process, obviating the need for alternative curing methods.
Efficient Hydration: Ensures efficient cement hydration without the risk of erratic or inadequate curing.
Surface Protection: Shields concrete from drying shrinkage, solar radiation-induced surface burning, and adverse atmospheric conditions.
Non-Toxic and Non-Flammable: Safe for use with no health hazards.
White Pigmentation: Reduces surface heating by direct sunlight and ensures uniform application.
User-Friendly Application: Can be applied easily with low-pressure sprayers or rollers.
Eco-Friendly and Economical: Offers consistent quality and environmentally friendly formulation.
TECHNICAL DATA
Appearance: Milky White Colored Liquid
Specific Gravity: 1.05 ± 0.02
Appearance of Dry Film: White
Water Loss per ASTM C309-1986: Less than 0.55 Kg/m²
Daylight Reflection (Minimum): 60%
Drying Time at 30˚C (Maximum): 4 hours
Coverage: 4-6 m² per liter
HEALTH & SAFETY
Greeno Cure Guard-R is non-toxic and non-flammable. In case of contact with skin or equipment, wash with plain water and soap. Dry material deposits on equipment surfaces can be washed with hot water and detergent.
METHOD OF USE
Apply Greeno Cure Guard-R post the final finishing operation and once the water sheen disappears from the concrete surface. Avoid application on surfaces with standing water. For partially dried surfaces, fog down before application.
SHELF LIFE
12 months if unopened and stored properly.
STORAGE
Store Greeno Cure Guard-R in a cool, dry place between 5⁰C to 40⁰C in sealed condition, away from direct sunlight.
PACKAGING
Available in 20 Ltr & 200 Ltr plastic buckets/barrels.
Greeno Cure Guard-W is a liquid membrane-forming compound formulated for the curing of concrete. This ready-to-use solution, consisting of specially blended synthetic waxes, complies with ASTM C 309-86 standards.
Conventional curing methods such as continuous water spraying or ponding can be inconvenient and costly. Evaporation of water from concrete can lead to issues like capillary pores, diminished compressive strengths, surface chipping, and crack development. Greeno Cure Guard-W creates a temporary membrane on freshly cast or exposed concrete surfaces post-formwork removal, providing sufficient moisture for effective curing. This helps minimize drying shrinkage, cracks, and dusty surfaces.
USAGE
Greeno Cure Guard-W is suitable for:
Forming a temporary membrane on freshly cast or newly exposed concrete surfaces to facilitate effective curing.
Large concrete areas like pavements, runways, bridge decks, and industrial floors.
Vertical or sloping surfaces such as chimneys, towers, silos, canal lining, columns, and beams where water curing may be impractical or unreliable.
FEATURES
Single Coat Application: Forms a moisture barrier for the entire curing period, eliminating the need for other curing methods.
Efficient Hydration: Ensures efficient cement hydration without the risk of erratic or inadequate curing.
Surface Protection: Shields concrete from drying shrinkage, surface cracking, and dust formation.
Non-Toxic and Non-Flammable: Safe for use with no health hazards.
Eco-Friendly: Contributes to environmental sustainability.
Uniform Application: Ensures consistent curing with uniform coverage.
Easy and Safe Handling: User-friendly application and safe handling procedures.
TECHNICAL DATA
Appearance: Milky White Color Liquid
Specific Gravity: 1.00 ± 0.02
Appearance of Dry Film: Translucent
Water Loss per ASTM C309-1986: 0.40 kg/m² (Maximum limit as per ASTM C309-86 is 0.55 kg/m².)
Drying Time at 30˚C: 90 minutes
Coverage: 4-6 m² per liter
Shelf Life: 12 months
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Apply Greeno Cure Guard-W following the final finishing operation and once the water sheen disappears from the concrete surface. Avoid application on surfaces with standing water. For partially dried surfaces, fog down before application.
HANDLING
Greeno Cure Guard-W is non-toxic and non-flammable. In case of contact with skin or equipment, wash with plain water and soap. Dry material deposits on equipment surfaces can be washed with hot water and detergent.
STORAGE
Store Greeno Cure Guard-W in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
PACKAGING
Available in 20-liter buckets and 200-liter plastic drums.
Concrete Curing Compounds
Available in clear, white-pigmented, and metallic finishes. Conforms to ASTM C309 standards.
Features:
Acts as a moisture barrier during the curing period
Eliminates the need for water, wet hessian, or sand curing
Reliable curing method, ensuring efficient cement hydration
Produces a hard-wearing concrete surface, minimizing the risk of drying shrinkage, cracks, and dusting
Protects concrete surfaces from aggressive atmospheric conditions
Sprayable for easy application on concrete surfaces
Provides maximum moisture retention necessary for achieving designed concrete strength
Uses:
Ideal for freshly cast concrete or newly exposed concrete surfaces after formwork removal to form a temporary membrane that retains sufficient moisture for effective curing
Suitable for large concrete areas such as roads, pavements, runways, bridge decks, and industrial floors
Perfect for vertical or sloping surfaces like chimneys, towers, silos, canal linings, columns, and beams where water curing is difficult or unreliable
Method of Application:
Apply by spraying or using a soft brush
Dosage/Coverage:
Varies according to specific product requirements
Packing:
Available in 50 kg and 200 kg
Shelf Life:
12 months