Abstract: Methods for increasing the hardness of aggregate include applying a hardener to the aggregate. The hardener may react with a material of the aggregate and/or a material on a surface of the aggregate. For example, an alkali metal silicate, such as lithium polysilicate, or a colloidal silica may chemically react with calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide of an aggregate or on an aggregate to create cementitious material, which may at least partially fill pores in the surface of the aggregate, harden an existing microtexture of the aggregate and/or enhance the microtexture of the aggregate. These characteristics may enhance frictional characteristics, the wear characteristics and the durability of the aggregate, and of any structures formed from composite materials that include the aggregate.

Abstract: Techniques for protecting joints in pavement structures include 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.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of inorganic flooring (e.g., concrete, terrazzo, or a ceramic) includes applying a composition that includes a silicate to a surface of the inorganic flooring and, while the composition is present on the surface, polishing 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 inorganic flooring, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The acts of applying and polishing may be repeated. Such a treatment may result in a surface that has a glossiness that reflects at least about 80% of incident light when the incident light is directed toward the composition at an angle of 60° to the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating concrete, which include wetting a surface of concrete with a colloidal silica and, with silica on the surface, finishing the surface. The surface may be finished with a power trowel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating concrete, which includes the steps of wetting a surface of concrete with a colloidal silica; cutting the softened surface to provide a cut surface; and polishing the cut surface.

Abstract: A composition for protecting a surface of an organic substrate, such as VCT, wood, or a synthetic laminate material, includes a silicate (e.g., an alkali metal polysilicate or colloidal silica) and a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal methyl siliconate, etc.). In addition, the composition may include acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Such a composition may also include a leveling agent, such as a surfactant. Organic substrates, such as VCT, wood, and synthetic laminate materials, with such a composition on their surfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of inorganic flooring (e.g., concrete, terrazzo, or a ceramic) includes applying a composition that includes a silicate to a surface of the inorganic flooring and, while the composition is present on the surface, polishing 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 inorganic flooring, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The acts of applying and polishing may be repeated. Such a treatment may result in a surface that has a glossiness that reflects at least about 80% of incident light when the incident light is directed toward the composition at an angle of 60° to the surface.

Abstract: A composition for hardening concrete that has a pH of less than 10, and may have a pH of 8 or less. Thus, the hardening composition may be free of or substantially free of alkaline materials. The hardening composition is water-based and includes silica particles and stabilizer, which may be present on portions of the surfaces of the silica particles. The stabilizer may be aluminum-based (e.g., it may comprise alumina, etc.). In use, the hardening composition is applied to the surface of concrete, either alone, with curing compounds, or as part of a polishing process. Any residue that remains on the treated surface may simply be swept, blown, or sprayed away.

Abstract: A composition for protecting a surface of an inorganic substrate, such as concrete, terrazzo, or ceramic tile, includes a silicate (i.e., an alkali metal polysilicate or a colloidal silica), a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal methyl siliconate, etc.), acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Inorganic substrates, such as concrete, stone, and ceramic materials, with such a composition on their surfaces are also disclosed, as are methods for polishing and protecting inorganic substrates.

Abstract: Methods for increasing the hardness of aggregate include applying a hardener to the aggregate. The hardener may react with a material of the aggregate and/or a material on a surface of the aggregate. For example, an alkali metal silicate, such as lithium polysilicate, or a colloidal silica may chemically react with calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide of an aggregate or on an aggregate to create cementitious material, which may at least partially fill pores in the surface of the aggregate, harden an existing microtexture of the aggregate and/or enhance the microtexture of the aggregate. These characteristics may enhance frictional characteristics, the wear characteristics and the durability of the aggregate, and of any structures formed from composite materials that include the aggregate.

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: 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 composition for protecting a surface of an organic substrate, such as VCT, wood, or a synthetic laminate material, includes a silicate (e.g., an alkali metal polysilicate or colloidal silica) and a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal methyl siliconate, etc.). In addition, the composition may include acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Such a composition may also include a leveling agent, such as a surfactant. Organic substrates, such as VCT, wood, and synthetic laminate materials, with such a composition on their surfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for hardening concrete that has a pH of less than 10, and may have a pH of 8 or less. Thus, the hardening composition may be free of or substantially free of alkaline materials. The hardening composition is water-based and includes silica particles and an aluminum-based (e.g., alumina, etc.) stabilizer, which may be present on portions of the surfaces of the silica particles. In use, the hardening composition is applied to the surface of concrete, either alone, with curing compounds, or as part of a polishing process. Any residue that remains on the treated surface may simply be swept, blown, or sprayed away.

Abstract: A method for protecting an organic flooring surface (e.g., VCT, wood, a synthetic laminate material, etc.) or a surface of another organic substrate includes applying a composition that includes a silicate and a siliconate to the organic substrate and, with the composition on the surface, burnishing the surface. In some embodiments, the composition may be applied to the surface for maintenance purposes (e.g., periodic cleaning and/or polishing, etc.). The silicate of the composition may include an alkali metal polysilicate, a colloidal silica, or any other suitable silicate. In addition to the silicate and siliconate, the composition may include, or even consist essentially of, acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Such a composition may also include a leveling agent, such as a surfactant.

Abstract: A composition for protecting a surface of an organic substrate, such as VCT, wood, or a synthetic laminate material, includes a silicate (i.e., an alkali metal polysilicate or colloidal silica) and a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal methyl siliconate, etc.). In addition, the composition may include acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Such a composition may also include a leveling agent, such as a surfactant. Organic substrates, such as VCT, wood, and synthetic laminate materials, with such a composition on their surfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for hardening concrete that has a pH of less than 10, and may have a pH of 8 or less. Thus, the hardening composition may be free of or substantially free of alkaline materials. The hardening composition is water-based and includes silica particles and an aluminum-based (e.g., alumina, etc.) stabilizer, which may be present on portions of the surfaces of the silica particles. In use, the hardening composition is applied to the surface of concrete, either alone, with curing compounds, or as part of a polishing process. Any residue that remains on the treated surface may simply be swept, blown, or sprayed away.

Abstract: A composition for protecting a surface of an inorganic substrate, such as concrete, terrazzo, or ceramic tile, includes a silicate (i.e., an alkali metal polysilicate or a colloidal silica), a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal methyl siliconate, etc.), acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Inorganic substrates, such as concrete, stone, and ceramic materials, with such a composition on their surfaces are also disclosed, as are methods for polishing and protecting inorganic substrates.

Abstract: A composition for protecting a surface of an inorganic substrate, such as concrete, terrazzo, or ceramic tile, includes a silicate (i.e., an alkali metal polysilicate or a colloidal silica), a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal methyl siliconate, etc.), acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Inorganic substrates, such as concrete, stone, and ceramic materials, with such a composition on their surfaces are also disclosed, as are methods for polishing and protecting inorganic substrates.

Abstract: A composition for protecting a surface of an inorganic substrate, such as concrete, terrazzo, or ceramic tile, includes a silicate (i.e., an alkali metal polysilicate or a colloidal silica), a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal methyl siliconate, etc.), acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Inorganic substrates, such as concrete, stone, and ceramic materials, with such a composition on their surfaces are also disclosed, as are methods for polishing and protecting inorganic substrates.