Full Depth Coloured Concrete with CCS Oxide Pigments
Weather resistance
CCS pigments are blends of synthetic iron oxides, titanium dioxides, chrome oxides and cobalt aluminium spinels. These fine particle pigments are well proven and are completely weather resistant, lightfast and stable in the highly alkaline conditions of concrete. They are therefore suitable for both internal or external domestic, commercial and industrial situations.
Please Note: There is an incorrect perception that iron oxide pigments fade over time. This perception is usually due to the following three events:
1. Drying of concrete
When coloured concrete is placed, the high moisture content of the concrete causes the colour to be much darker or intense than when it is dry. Over the first seven days the initial colour reduces in intensity, however, when the moisture has finally evaporated from the concrete the colour remains consistent.
2. Abrasion of the surface layer
When coloured concrete is placed, the toweling technique tends to draw a pigment and cement-rich slurry to the surface. This slurry is usually only a millimetre thick and is slightly weaker than the main part of the concrete slab. As this top slurry coat is eroded with abrasion, the true, but slightly less intensely coloured part of the slab is exposed.
This phenomenon is usually only noticeable where a steel trowel finish is used. It does not occur where an exposed, honed, acid etched or stipple finish is used, as there is no 'artificial' surface layer remaining after completion of finishing.
3. Formation of white 'efflorescence' deposits on surface
As part of the natural curing process of concrete, excess lime from the cement migrates to the surface of the concrete. The result is a white shimmer effect, called efflorescence. Fortunately, this material will gradually erode away with rain and abrasion and can be minimised by applying a coat of CCS Same Day Sealer on the day of concrete placement.