Curing or sealing compositions for concrete and cement formulations and processes for using the same

Abstract

Disclosed are wax emulsion compositions for curing or sealing concrete and cement formulations, methods for preparing and processes for using the same. The modifiers are applicable to curing or sealing membranes, used in roadways, highways, parking lots and other freshly placed or poured concrete surfaces to retain moisture and achieve high compressive strengths. This invention also relates to materials used to coat, spray, brush, roll etc. on conventional Portland cement concrete mix designs or other applied concrete mixes in formed structural shapes and transport road mix designs, providing an effective layer that controls and minimizes moisture loss from the mix to enable proper curing and achievement of desired compressive strengths. The compositions of the invention further provide for concrete and cement formulations having lower water soluble chloride content.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A curing or sealing composition, applied to the surface of a cementitious composition to achieve water loss levels of <0.55 kg/m 2  in 72 hours, at a 150 ft2/gal application rate as tested in accordance with ASTM-309, and perform effectively in salt water penetration tests such as ASTM-C 1218, which curing or sealing composition comprises an aqueous emulsion comprising about 10 to about 40 wt % of the paraffin hydrocarbon wax, based upon the weight of the emulsion, about 0.01 to about 20 parts by weight of the saponifiable wax, per 100 parts of the paraffin wax, a saponifier, and about 0.1 to about 5 wt % of a dispersant, based upon the weight of the emulsion. 
     
     
         2 . The curing or sealing composition  claim 1  wherein the aqueous emulsion is free of coagulants which coagulate film forming synthetic polymers when those polymers are in the presence of calcium ions of fresh concrete or mortar. 
     
     
         3 . The curing or sealing composition of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous emulsion is free of synthetic polymers. 
     
     
         4 . The curing or sealing composition of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous emulsion is free of olefin-maleic anhydride derivatives. 
     
     
         5 . The curing or sealing composition of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous emulsion consists essentially of about 10 to about 40 wt % of the paraffin hydrocarbon wax, based upon the weight of the emulsion, about 0.01 to about 20 parts by weight of the saponifiable wax, per 100 parts of the paraffin wax, a saponifier, and about 0.1 to about 5 wt % of a dispersant, based upon the weight of the emulsion.