Full depth integrally coloured concrete - with CCS oxides

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Blended from high strength iron oxides, CCS powdered pigments are added directly to the concrete truck's mixing bowl where the oxide colour is dispersed deep into the concrete.

Once mixed, the coloured concrete is delivered to site and placed in a similar way to plain grey concrete - giving you a natural looking colour that is both UV and weather resistant.

It's That Easy! Simply specify your preferred CCS pigment/oxide colour from our extensive colour range and we will deliver (within three days) the correct quantity of CCS pigments to the concrete plant you nominate.

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What can be coloured with CCS pigments?

Just about any new concrete structure including:

  • pedestrian precincts
  • roadways
  • precast walls
  • buildings
  • interior floors
  • exposed aggregate
  • polished concrete floors
  • tilt up panels
  • renders
  • floor screeds
  • pavers
  • shotcrete
  • mortars
  • grout


Benefits of Full Depth Colouring of Concrete

Colour is much better than grey!

Coloured concrete is far more attractive than conventional grey concrete or bitumen. Nowadays, many designers are inspired by the endless variety of concrete colours and finishes they can incorporate into the overall theme of a project. Coloured concrete can be used on its own or combined with contrasting or matching coloured aggregates and surface textures to create just the right look.

Long term colour performance

The surface of any concrete pavement is subjected to continuous wear and tear. So much so, that over time, the top 1-2mm of the concrete is likely to erode. Unlike surface colouring methods, full depth colouring of the entire slab with CCS oxide pigments means that surface erosion is not a problem.

Strength

Due to the extremely high tint strength of CCS concrete oxide pigments, you only need approximately 9 to18 kilograms of the material to completely colour two tonnes (i.e. one cubic metre) of 25 MPa strength concrete!

At such low dose rates, the strength of the concrete is not compromised.

Colouring Precast Panels with CCS Oxide Pigments

CCS pigments are ideal for colouring precast panels as well as on-site panel construction. Building facades and freeway sound barrier walls are commonly constructed with coloured concrete.

Recommendation: We recommend using only manufacturers who are experienced in producing coloured precast concrete.

Successfully colouring precast panels requires fastidious and consistent manufacturing techniques. Form preparation, release agents, sand and aggregate selection, vibration techniques and the use of sealers can all have a dramatic influence on the final colour.

Manufacturers experienced in coloured precast work may charge higher prices, however quality of workmanship over cost should be considered. Sample panels showing the full depth colour possible with CCS oxide pigments should be produced prior to commencement of the project.

Please phone 1800 077 744, 07 3287 6444 or an office near you for further advice, or to arrange quotes from independent precast manufacturers.

Off-form finishes

Producing a smooth off-form finish is very difficult to achieve as any variance in form preparation, release agents, application, raw materials, curing practice and vibration technique can cause colour variance or blemishing on the surface.

Therefore, consideration should be given to the level of colour consistency that can realistically be achieved (within the set budget), prior to job commencement.

Recommendation: Although many quality off-form finishes are regularly achieved, specifiers should view previous projects to understand what is an acceptable standard with such a demanding surface finish. Phone 1800 077 744 1800 077 744 , 07 3287 6444 07 3287 6444 or an office near you to arrange quotes from independent contractors.

Sandblasting, honing, acid etching or exposed aggregate finishes

It is much easier to create a consistent coloured finish when using these methods for precast concrete. As the surface layer is removed, the colour of the sand and aggregates will have as much bearing on the final colour as the concrete pigment or oxide used. Therefore, precast manufacturers may be better able to produce panels to a budget using a combination of colour and aggregate.

Effects of aggregates on final colour appearance

Where aggregates are exposed, the actual pigment colour is much less noticeable than when a smooth off-form finish is created.

Recommendation: If an exposed aggregate finish is desired, we recommend early consultation with experienced precast manufacturers to assist in realistic colour selection.

Colouring Insitu Concrete Walls with CCS Oxide Pigments

Insitu coloured concrete is concrete that is both coloured and placed into formwork on-site. Insitu concrete is strong, durable, stable, readily available and relatively economic in terms of construction and life time maintenance. It is the ideal structural material in building sites that have difficult access.

Other advantages of the insitu concrete process include:-

  • less limitations on the size of the final concrete panels.
  • the elimination of the need for transportation of heavy concrete panels from factory to site.
  • the ability to have less or no joints between panels.

How to get the best coloured insitu concrete finish

Like any construction method involving on-site forming and design elements, it is important that pre-planning is done to ensure the best possible outcome. And while the minor colour variations inherent in full depth, integrally coloured concrete are what makes it so popular, it is nevertheless necessary to control the final outcome to ensure blemishes or major colour variations do not occur.

It is therefore imperative that on-site concrete samples are made in the desired CCS colour(s) pigment(s) with the concrete mix that will be used. It is also important to assess the sample at the correct time, once it has fully cured (as colour may vary before it has cured).

For further technical information, specifications and advice, please contact 07 3287 6444, 1800 077 744 or an office near you.

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