Sodium silicate is a chemical compound widely used in the construction industry today. It is made of Silica and Sodium Oxide. The compound is usually sold as a liquid, and sometime in powder form. The compound has several applications in the construction industry. It has incredible chemical characteristics that make it ideal to modify the properties and the composition of concrete.

In this article, we will find out everything needed to know about using sodium silicate in concrete, including its benefits and applications.

What is Sodium Silicate?

Sodium silicate is a highly valuable construction compound, which works in several ways. It makes concrete surfaces denser. It also acts as a sealant against water ingress, and eventually helps to harden the concrete mix quicker.

The cement hydration process produces calcium hydroxide, which reacts with sodium silicate to form C-S-H (Calcium Silica Hydrate). The C-S-H enhances the overall durability and strength of concrete. As it is available in liquid form, it is easier to apply and offers several significant benefits in modern-day construction projects. 

How Sodium Silicate works?

As mentioned above, applying sodium silicate to concrete surfaces initiates a chemical reaction. This reaction makes the concrete more resilient by minimizing the porosity of the construction materials.

Following are the stages involved in this process –

Stage 1

When sodium silicate is applied on concrete surface, it seeps deep under into the concrete component, through tiny pores on the surface. This helps it to mix well with the calcium hydroxide inside the concrete. This deep seepage of sodium silicate is necessary for the following chemical reaction to happen.

Stage 2

The hydration of cement eventually produces calcium hydroxide. The sodium silica penetrates deep within the concrete component and reacts with the calcium hydroxide to create a water-resistant gel, known as C-S-H (calcium silicate hydrate).

Stage 3

The C-S-H which is formed then begins to seep into the concrete component through tiny pores and fills the microscopic gaps between cement particles. This process helps to make the concrete denser and more impervious to moisture. This way, the concrete’s overall strength gets enhanced, its porosity is reduced, and durability gets increased.

Stage 4

Over a few hours or days, the concrete surface laced with sodium silicate becomes incredibly hard and offers excellent resistance to physical damage. This way, adding sodium silicate in concrete makes the structure more durable and stronger. 

Advantages of Sodium Silicate in Construction

There are several major advantages of using sodium silicate in concrete construction, namely –

Water-resistance

Adding sodium silicate minimizes the porosity of concrete. It makes the building component resistant to water seepage. This excellent water-resistance makes the compound incredibly efficient for constructing bridges, water-tanks, foundations, etc. where there is a higher risk of moisture penetration.

Durability

When sodium silicate reacts with calcium hydroxide it forms calcium silica hydrate, which enhances the overall durability of the concrete. The concrete component thus formed is highly resistant to physical damage, such as spalling and cracking.

Hardening

Mixing sodium silicate in concrete makes the surface of the concrete harder. This also makes the surface more resistant to damage with regular use. This property makes sodium silicate ideal for use in constructing high-traffic areas, driveways, and industrial floors.

Chemical-resistance

Concrete which is treated with sodium silicate has better resistance to damage from chemical hazards, such as harmful salts or acids. This effect keeps the concrete surface firm and smooth without getting damaged from hazardous chemical spills.

Cost-efficiency

As a construction compound, sodium silicate is quite affordable. Thanks to its ease of availability and inexpensive cost, it provides various benefits and has numerous applications in the construction industry.

Environmentally-friendly

Sodium silicate is also an eco-friendly construction compound as it is made from non-toxic components. This makes the compound ideal to adhere with stringent construction standards. 

Conclusion

Sodium silicate is an excellent example of high-tech construction material. It is a truly versatile compound that enhances the overall durability of concrete structures. It also makes the concrete stronger and more resistant to physical/chemical damage. Thanks to these excellent properties, the compound has become an essential material in modern construction projects of all types and sizes.

To get the desired results from adding sodium silicate to concrete, it is highly recommended to buy the best-quality product from reliable manufacturers, such as Sakshi Chem Sciences Pvt. Ltd. in India.