Abstract: Compositions that impart surfaces with glossy finishes include a silicate and an organic component (e.g., a siliconate, etc.) and may also include a surfactant, a leveling agent, a silane coupling agent, and/or an acrylic latex. The silicate may be a lithium silicate and/or a colloidal silica. When the composition is applied to a flooring surface, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The composition imparts the surface with a glossy finish. A glossiness of the surface may be at least 80, as measured by a gloss meter set to a 60° angle of incidence.

Abstract: A method for cutting or otherwise removing material from an inorganic substrate (e.g., a substrate formed from a cementitious material, such as concrete, or stone, etc.) includes applying an aqueous solution that includes a hardener/densifier to the inorganic substrate and/or to a removal element (e.g., a saw blade, an abrasive wheel, a grinding disk, etc.), the inorganic substrate or material removed from the inorganic substrate as the removal element removes material from the inorganic substrate. A system for removing material from an inorganic substrate includes a removal element and an aqueous solution that includes a hardener/densifier.

Abstract: A technique for protecting joints in pavement structures includes applying a hardener/densifier to one or more surfaces that define a joint in a pavement structure and, optionally, to portions of one or more surfaces that are located adjacent to the joint. One or more other compounds, such as hydrophobic materials, water-resistant materials, anti-scaling compounds, anti-wear compounds, multi-functional blended compositions and the like, may also be applied to the surfaces that define a joint and/or to portions of one or more surfaces that are adjacent to the joint. A seal may also be formed in a joint in a pavement structure. Joints that have been protected in accordance with teachings of this disclosure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A technique for protecting joints in pavement structures includes applying a hardener/densifier to one or more surfaces that define a joint in a pavement structure and, optionally, to portions of one or more surfaces that are located adjacent to the joint. One or more other compounds, such as hydrophobic materials, water-resistant materials, anti-scaling compounds, anti-wear compounds, multi-functional blended compositions and the like, may also be applied to the surfaces that define a joint and/or to portions of one or more surfaces that are adjacent to the joint. A seal may also be formed in a joint in a pavement structure. Joints that have been protected in accordance with teachings of this disclosure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A technique for protecting joints in pavement structures includes applying a hardener/densifier to one or more surfaces that define a joint in a pavement structure and, optionally, to portions of one or more surfaces that are located adjacent to the joint. One or more other compounds, such as hydrophobic materials, water-resistant materials, anti-scaling compounds, anti-wear compounds, multi-functional blended compositions and the like, may also be applied to the surfaces that define a joint and/or to portions of one or more surfaces that are adjacent to the joint. A seal may also be formed in a joint in a pavement structure. Joints that have been protected in accordance with teachings of this disclosure are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions that impart surfaces with glossy finishes include a silicate and an organic component (e.g., a siliconate, etc.) and may also include a surfactant, a leveling agent, a silane coupling agent, and/or an acrylic latex. The silicate may be a lithium silicate and/or a colloidal silica. When the composition is applied to a flooring surface, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The composition imparts the surface with a glossy finish. A glossiness of the surface may be at least 80, as measured by a gloss meter set to a 60° angle of incidence.

Abstract: A composition that may be used to retain moisture within fresh concrete as it cures to optimize the curing of the concrete may include one or more hardening and densifying agents (e.g., alkali metal polysilicate, colloidal silica, etc.) and one or more temporary moisture sealing agents (e.g., a wax, etc.). Additionally, such a composition may include a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal siliconate like potassium methyl siliconate, etc.). The hardening and densifying agent of such a composition may penetrate the surface of fresh concrete to react with free lime, providing the fresh concrete with a strong surface. The temporary moisture sealing agent may form a moisture barrier on the surface of the fresh concrete to prevent moisture from escaping from the fresh concrete (e.g., evaporating, etc.) before the fresh concrete has sufficiently cured. The temporary moisture sealing agent may degrade within a matter of days (e.g., three days, seven days, 14 days, less than a month, etc.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of a substrate includes applying a composition that includes a silicate to the surface and, while the composition is present on the surface, providing the surface with a glossy finish (e.g., polishing the surface, burnishing the surface, etc.). The silicate may be a lithium silicate and/or a colloidal silica. The composition may further include one or more of a surfactant, a leveling agent, a silane coupling agent, an organic component (e.g., a siliconate, etc.), and an acrylic latex. When the composition is applied to the surface of the flooring, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The acts of applying and providing the surface with a glossy finish may be repeated. Such a treatment may result in a surface that has a glossiness of at least 80, as measured by a gloss meter set to a 60° angle of incidence.

Abstract: A composition that may be used to retain moisture within fresh concrete as it cures to optimize the curing of the concrete may include one or more hardening and densifying agents (e.g., alkali metal polysilicate, colloidal silica, etc.) and one or more temporary moisture sealing agents (e.g., a wax, etc.). Additionally, such a composition may include a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal siliconate like potassium methyl siliconate, etc.). The hardening and densifying agent of such a composition may penetrate the surface of fresh concrete to react with free lime, providing the fresh concrete with a strong surface. The temporary moisture sealing agent may form a moisture barrier on the surface of the fresh concrete to prevent moisture from escaping from the fresh concrete (e.g., evaporating, etc.) before the fresh concrete has sufficiently cured. The temporary moisture sealing agent may degrade within a matter of days (e.g., three days, seven days, 14 days, less than a month, etc.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of a substrate includes applying a composition that includes a silicate to the surface and, while the composition is present on the surface, providing the surface with a glossy finish (e.g., polishing the surface, burnishing the surface, etc.). The silicate may be a lithium silicate and/or a colloidal silica. The composition may further include one or more of a surfactant, a leveling agent, a silane coupling agent, an organic component (e.g., a siliconate, etc.), and an acrylic latex. When the composition is applied to the surface of the flooring, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The acts of applying and providing the surface with a glossy finish may be repeated. Such a treatment may result in a surface that has a glossiness of at least 80, as measured by a gloss meter set to a 60° angle of incidence.

Abstract: A technique for protecting joints in pavement structures includes applying a hardener/densifier to one or more surfaces that define a joint in a pavement structure and, optionally, to portions of one or more surfaces that are located adjacent to the joint. One or more other compounds, such as hydrophobic materials, water-resistant materials, anti-scaling compounds, anti-wear compounds, multi-functional blended compositions and the like, may also be applied to the surfaces that define a joint and/or to portions of one or more surfaces that are adjacent to the joint. A seal may also be formed in a joint in a pavement structure. Joints that have been protected in accordance with teachings of this disclosure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition that may be used to retain moisture within fresh concrete as it cures to optimize the curing of the concrete may include one or more hardening and densifying agents (e.g., alkali metal polysilicate, colloidal silica, etc.) and one or more temporary moisture sealing agents (e.g., a wax, etc.). Additionally, such a composition may include a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal siliconate like potassium methyl siliconate, etc.). The hardening and densifying agent of such a composition may penetrate the surface of fresh concrete to react with free lime, providing the fresh concrete with a strong surface. The temporary moisture sealing agent may form a moisture barrier on the surface of the fresh concrete to prevent moisture from escaping from the fresh concrete (e.g., evaporating, etc.) before the fresh concrete has sufficiently cured. The temporary moisture sealing agent may degrade within a matter of days (e.g., three days, seven days, 14 days, less than a month, etc.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of flooring includes applying a composition that includes a silicate to a surface of the flooring and, while the composition is present on the surface, polishing or burnishing the surface. The silicate may be a lithium polysilicate and/or a colloidal silica. The composition may further include a surfactant and/or a leveling agent. When the composition is applied to the surface of the flooring, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The acts of applying and polishing or burnishing may be repeated. Such a treatment may result in a surface that has a glossiness of at least 80, as measured by a gloss meter set to a 60° angle of incidence.

Abstract: A technique for protecting joints in pavement structures includes applying a hardener/densifier to one or more surfaces that define a joint in a pavement structure and, optionally, to portions of one or more surfaces that are located adjacent to the joint. One or more other compounds, such as hydrophobic materials, water resistant materials, anti scaling compounds, anti wear compounds, multi functional blended compositions and the like, may also be applied to the surfaces that define a joint and/or to portions of one or more surfaces that are adjacent to the joint. A seal may also be formed in a joint in a pavement structure. Joints that have been protected in accordance with teachings of this disclosure are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and systems for prolonging the lives of transportation surfaces, including pavement, runways, bridges and parking structures include chemically protecting the transportation surfaces. Chemical protection may be accompanied by physical alteration of the transportation surface, which may enhance one or both of a microtexture and a macrotexture of the transportation surface.

Abstract: A composition that may be used to retain moisture within fresh concrete as it cures to optimize the curing of the concrete may include one or more hardening and densifying agents (e.g., alkali metal polysilicate, colloidal silica, etc.) and one or more temporary moisture sealing agents (e.g., a wax, etc.). Additionally, such a composition may include a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal siliconate like potassium methyl siliconate, etc.). The hardening and densifying agent of such a composition may penetrate the surface of fresh concrete to react with free lime, providing the fresh concrete with a strong surface. The temporary moisture sealing agent may form a moisture barrier on the surface of the fresh concrete to prevent moisture from escaping from the fresh concrete (e.g., evaporating, etc.) before the fresh concrete has sufficiently cured. The temporary moisture sealing agent may degrade within a matter of days (e.g., three days, seven days, 14 days, less than a month, etc.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and systems for prolonging the lives of transportation surfaces, including pavement, runways, bridges and parking structures include physically altering the transportation surface and chemically protecting the transportation surfaces. Physical alteration of a transportation surface may include physically altering one or both of a microtexture and a macrotexture of the transportation surface. Chemical protection of a transportation surface may include hardening and/or densifying the transportation surface. The transportation surface may be chemically protected while physically altering the transportation surface or after the transportation surface has been physically altered.

Abstract: A composition that may be used to retain moisture within fresh concrete as it cures to optimize the curing of the concrete may include one or more hardening and densifying agents and one or more temporary moisture sealing agents. Additionally such a composition may include a siliconate. The hardening and densifying agent of such a composition may penetrate the surface of fresh concrete to react with free lime, providing the fresh concrete with a strong surface. The temporary moisture sealing agent may form a moisture barrier on the surface of the fresh concrete to prevent moisture from escaping from the fresh concrete before the fresh concrete has sufficiently cured. The temporary moisture sealing agent may degrade within a matter of days, facilitating its removal from the surface of the concrete once the concrete has cured and enabling further treatment of the surface without undue delay.

Abstract: Techniques for protecting joints in pavement structures are disclosed. Such a technique includes applying a hardener/densifier to one or more surfaces that define a joint in a pavement structure and, optionally, to portions of one or more surfaces that are located adjacent to the joint. One or more other compounds, such as hydrophobic materials, water-resistant materials, anti-scaling compounds, anti-wear compounds, multi-functional blended compositions and the like, may also be applied to the surfaces that define a joint and/or to portions of one or more surfaces that are adjacent to the joint. A seal may also be formed in a joint in a pavement structure. Joints that have been protected in accordance with teachings of this disclosure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of flooring includes applying a composition that includes a silicate to a surface of the flooring and, while the composition is present on the surface, polishing or burnishing the surface. The silicate may be a lithium polysilicate and/or a colloidal silica. The composition may further include a surfactant and/or a leveling agent. When the composition is applied to the surface of the flooring, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The acts of applying and polishing or burnishing may be repeated. Such a treatment may result in a surface that has a glossiness of at least 80, as measured by a gloss meter set to a 60° angle of incidence.