Xiamen Champion Diatools Co.,Ltd.---technology support

Wet vs. Dry Concrete Polishing

Xiamen Champion Diatools Co.,Ltd.(http://www.concretediatools.com/) — 周二, 02 11月 2010 18:32:47 +0800

Wet vs. Dry Concrete Polishing

Contractors can polish concrete using wet or dry methods, but typically they use a combination of both.

The wet process uses water to cool the diamond abrasives and eliminate grinding dust. Because the water reduces friction and acts as a lubricant, it increases the life of the polishing abrasives, particularly the resin-bonded disks, which can melt at high temperatures. A disadvantage of the wet process is the mess. Crews must collect and dispose of the slurry that's generated, which slows productivity.

Dry polishing requires no water. Instead, contractors use machines equipped with dust-containment systems that eliminate virtually all of the mess. Typically dry polishing is used for the initial grinding steps, when more concrete is being removed. As the surface becomes smoother, and crews switch from the metal-bonded to the finer resin-bonded diamond abrasives, they generally change to wet polishing. However, some company have introduced resin-bonded disks that are designed to withstand the friction of dry polishing, allowing the entire process to be done dry.

concrete polishing

Xiamen Champion Diatools Co.,Ltd.(http://www.concretediatools.com/) — 周二, 02 11月 2010 15:30:29 +0800

Polished Concrete

The term Polished Concrete is originally from 1920 when bee wax was used to get a shiny concrete, and has nothing to do with floor polish. Today the term Polished Concrete (also called Super Floor System) means concrete floors that are grinded, honed and polished by using special tools, in combination with the consolidation of the concrete. Sometimes together with Chemical Stains to get various colours. As well as Concrete Resurfaces when existing floors are very uneven.

Polished Concrete can be carried out on both old, as well as new concrete floors. A treatment that provides an extremely high quality durable finish with a superior hardness. Therefore Polished Concrete has become very popular in high-traffic areas as it provides a maintenance-free surface. Also its non-allergic properties has made it the logical choice for hospitals, warehouses, retail stores, office buildings hotels, and schools etc.
Benefits
The Environmental Properties

Concrete is a natural product. There are no combustible solvents. No chemicals that can cause “Sick Houses”. No products that can cause allergies.
The concrete can “breathe” that allows water vapour to evaporate through as there are no coatings that can flake, peel, crack, or separate. Coatings that otherwise can feed mould or fungi.
In the concept Polished Concept consolidation is involved, why the lime is permanent consolidated in the surface being maintenance-free for 20 years. As well as getting remarkable better resistance against most chemicals.

The Economical Properties

Polished Concrete is extremely competitive in price as it requires almost no main-tenance besides ordinary cleaning. Just sweep and scrub only. From an economical point there is no other product that can match Polished Concrete.
Also tremendous easy-to-clean.

The Aesthetical Properties

By various treatments various effects can be reached. For boutiques, hotels, offices, restaurants, etc. coloured concrete and natural coloured aggregates can be used to create unique patterns and designs, incl. logos.

concrete grinding

Xiamen Champion Diatools Co.,Ltd.(http://www.concretediatools.com/) — 周二, 02 11月 2010 13:14:49 +0800

Grinding of Concrete

To remove laitance on new placed concrete floors is fast and easily done with the modern light grinders and suitable tools that today are available.

And to grind concrete floors with modern diamond tools is a highly efficient, and environmental kindly method to:

Grind away irregularities before floors are covered with linoleum, carpets, etc. Earlier spackling compounds have been used, but grinding with modern tools is superior.

Grind away self-levelling compounds (SLC). SLC’s are often a reason for “Sick House Syndrome” (SHS) caused by bacteria and fungi who multiplies in some SLC’s.

Grind away residues from adhesives when carpets, tiles, etc. are removed. Even
glue based on asphalt where even carton (0.5 mm) can be involved. Residues that
are time-consuming to remove with conventional methods. Where special tools can
remove such coatings with a capacity of one m2 per minute.

Remove paint coatings. Where paints based on epoxy or PU (urethane) can be
difficult to remove when grinders with conventional tools just “slides” on the surface.

Grinding is an aggressive abrasive process (grit 100) to remove large stocks of surface. The grinding process is necessary where the surface is uneven. The process is normally used when the difference exceeds 3 mm, or when a flat floor is desired. Start to use metal-bonded segments grit 30 or 60 in order to get even surface without spackling.

Should a more even surface be wanted, continue with grit 100. Should it be a floor as retail store, warehouse, etc., there is no need of another floor coating. Instead continue with grit 200 and 500 plus consolidation where the result will be a smooth floor and easy to clean. That also withstands all normal chemicals.
To remove old coatings of paint or adhesive, in general terms the following is valid:

Thickness	>2 mm	>0.5-2 mm	>0.2-0.5 mm	>0.2-0.3 mm	>0.1-0.3 mm	<0.1 mm
Grit	3	6	12/16	30	40	60

Essential is to use correct grinding pressure in order to achieve wanted result, as well as avoid unnecessary load on the segments.

Remember that at grinding about 1.5 kg per mm thickness and m2 of dust is generated. A grinding dust that must be collected, and deposit with correct EWC-code according to valid regulations.

So in case 3 mm is to be grind away, it is the question of about 5 kg per m2. At a capacity of 35 m2 per h, about 175 kg of grinding dust must be collected. Suitable vac in combination with a Pre-Separator that normally collects 80-95%, is a must. When so 140-160 kg of the grinding dust will be collected by the Pre-Separator without stressing the vac’s filter.