Micro concrete is anti-slip, stain-free, hygienic, and mold-free making it an excellent choice for floors, kitchen surfaces, and bathroom surfaces. Micro concrete flooring is basically polished concrete flooring that is ideal for tougher environments such as exteriors and shops. For using sika micro concrete, about 80% to 90% of water is to be mixed with sika micro concrete in a mixing drum.
What is Micro Concrete?
Micro cement is a coating that is cement-based and can be thinly applied on different surfaces including wood and tile. The layer could be approximately 2 mm to 3 mm. Micro concrete provides a feel of concrete cost within a fraction of the weight and cost of real concrete.
The Efficiency of Micro Concrete
1. Ease of Placement and Handling
Micro concrete is usually available in a prepackaged mix so that it is easy to prepare and place with no skilled labor. This concrete need not be mixed on the site which avoids human errors completely. It is an easy surface choice for all kinds of environments where a faux concrete finish is needed. Micro concrete is also suitable for giving a concrete finish to restricted spaces and can be handled by those with limited concrete laying skills.
2. Reduced Water Demand
Micro concrete’s initial usage was to develop a decline in water demand used in normal concrete. Micro concrete can establish a good bond which can repair aging or cracks in concrete structures. Moreover, micro concrete means reduced cost of repair as it does not require heavy machinery to place them unlike natural concrete.
3. Fast Drying
Micro concrete can dry very quickly and the surface over which it is laid can function within a day. Thus, micro concrete is ideal for homeowners and designers who wants to decorate the surface of their buildings without any disruptions.
How to Apply Micro Concrete?
1. Surface Preparation
Surfaces over which micro concrete is to be applied must be first prepared by washing, removing chemicals, gravel, dirt, and dust from it. Water blasting, acids or water can be used to clean the surfaces. Steel bars and corroded materials must be cleaned and coated before micro concrete is applied on them.
2. Mixing
Micro concrete mix can be manually prepared in a mixing vessel especially if large quantities are to be obtained. The water required for making micro concrete may vary based on the mix but commonly it is a ratio of 1:8 of water and micro concrete. This mixture is prepared by gradually adding micro concrete to water while being continuously stirred.
3. Pouring
The mix of micro concrete and water is placed as soon as it is made to ontaind the perfectflow and consistency. After placing, suitable tools are used to smoothen the mixture out and then it is permitted to dry.
What are The Advantages of Using Micro Concrete?
Micro concrete applications stand aloof with certain advantages to its name. Here’s a list of them:
- Easy application: Micro concrete is super easy to apply on all kinds of surfaces. This concrete does not need any compaction which also removes the chances of heavy machinery being employed.
- Strong bond: Micro concrete can form a strong bond with almost all types of surfaces. The strength of micro concrete develops once it is applied on the surface.
- No shrinkage: The concrete does not suffer from any kind of shrinkage like folds or cracks.
- Free of toxins: It is free of chloride which means you get a durable and safe surface.
- Applications: Micro concrete typically has low permeability making it the perfect choice for exterior surfaces, bathrooms, and kitchens.
- Additives: Micro concrete does not require any extra additives.
- Mold-resistant: Its resistance to mold is excellent.
- Customization: Micro concrete can be colored.
Micro Concrete: Applications
Applications of micro concrete are widely ranging from commercial to residential. It offers a seamless, contemporary, and durable finish. Micro concrete floors and walls are hard wearing and cost effective. It also makes surfaces watertight which means bathrooms and splashbacks in the kitchen could have them. This type of concrete can be used for both indoor and outdoor surfaces due to its high durability. Some of them are:
- General inferior surfaces
- Garages
- Offices
- Museums
- Open plazas
- Shopping centers
- Hotels
- Foyers
The Bottom Line: Is Micro Concrete a Good Choice?
Micro concrete provides a feel of concrete finish with only a faction of the cost and weight of natural concrete. Plus, it is stain-resistant, mold-resistant, waterproof, and can be colored in your favorite shades. Micro concrete has emerged to be an awesome material that has become the go-to choice for professionals. As a result, we are here to spread the word! Hope our information on what a micro concrete is, its applications, advantages, and efficiency helped you.
Micro Concrete FAQs:
1. What are the specifications of micro concrete?
Micro concrete must not contain chlorides or metallic aggregates and must not be shrinkage compensated in the plastic state. The flowable consistency of micro concrete must achieve a compressive strength of more than 30M/㎟ at 300℃ after 24 hours.
2. What is the mix ratio of micro concrete?
Micro concrete comprises water, lime, quartz, river sand, and cement in the mass ratio of 4.1:0.5:0.5:6.5:1. Quartz sand is used to stimulate coarse aggregates in concrete whereas river sand is used to stimulate fine aggregates in the concrete.
3. What is micro silica in concrete?
Silica fume or micro silica is an admixture for concrete that leads to better engineering properties. Microsilica reduces thermal cracking, increases strength, and improves durability. Concrete with silica fume has a large number of construction applications.
4. Is micro concrete cheaper than tiling?
Depending on the type of micro concrete flooring, it can become cheaper than laying tiles. Micro concrete gives a concrete finish without the cost or weight hassles of natural concrete.
5. Does micro concrete need curing?
Micro concrete is made for the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of structural repair such as quick strength, hardening properties, workability, flowable concrete, shrinkage properties, and minimal curing.
