Improving the Performance of Concrete Coatings

By Cynthia Challener

As a cost-effective, sustainable material, concrete continues to find widespread use in residential, commer­cial, industrial, and transportation applications. Although cementitious materials have high strength, they also de­grade upon exposure to the environment, and therefore must be protected. Several types of coatings-includ- ing those based on traditional single and hybrid resin systems, block fillers, penetrating and reactive sealers, and specialty elastomerics-provide that protection. The nature of concrete and its wide range of applications and conditions of use, however, pose some challenges to resin manufacturers and coatings formulators. At the same time, concrete coatings must meet expectations for ease of use, environmental compliance, and longer­ lasting performance, and do so at a reasonable cost.