abe.®cote SF 356 – Methodology

The surface of the concrete has to be sound, clean free of all friable and deleterious material, oil etc. and dry. Surface preparation data sheet attached provides the necessary details. New concrete should cure for 28 days in order for it to dry sufficiently to take the coating system.

All cementitious surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned by grit blasting or similar cleaning method to remove laitance in order for the epoxy systems to adhere properly. The surface must then be thoroughly rinsed and dried.

. The surface must be finished such that all the falls are correct and ready to receive the polyurethane screed system. The success of any application depends on the strength of the concrete surface. A simple but effective test can be done with the use of an Elcometer adhesion tester. The pull off value when testing concrete should be equal to or greater than 1,5MPa. Levels below this indicates a relatively weak surface and could affect the performance of the screed.

All unsound concrete is to be removed to a sound base.

Any defect reinforcing to be replaced in accordance with the engineers specifications.

Surface corrosion on reinforcing to be removed by shotblasting or any other suitable means and then coated for protection with dura^®rep ZR primer.

The repair area of clean sound concrete is to be coated with epidermix 344 wet to dry epoxy into which the repair mortar, dura^®rep FR, is applied and finished off accordingly.

All edges are to be square cut to a minimum of 15 mm depth perpendicular to the surface.

Repair depths should be a minimum of 30 mm provided that the surface below is sound, otherwise increase the depth.

All cementitious repair work is to be cured thoroughly for at least 3 days using water sprays or continuously soaked fabric to prevent shrinkage cracking and to obtain optimum product performance. It is essential to cure with water where additional epoxy coatings are to be applied; using curing membranes in this case would necessitate the removal thereof prior to the epoxy coating application.

Prior to the application of the chemical resistant coating, joint details are to be addressed. The sealant recommended for the joints is flexothane CTW.

The joints are to be scraped out resulting in a clean dry surface. Spalled or cracked sections are to be cut back to sound concrete and reinstated to the matching joint geometry, this procedure would be the same as in surface repairs above.

The top edges of the joint should be beveled as per diagram. Apply abe.^®cote SF 356 along the length of the joint back from the joint edge between 50 and 100 mm and down the joint face.

Soon after the abe.^®cote SF 356 has lost its tack apply the flexothane CTW sealant in the joints.

Optimum intercoat adhesion is achieved between the abe.^®cote SF 356 and flexothane CTW at the tack free period to maximum of 6 hours , beyond this period adhesion properties diminish. It is essential to ensure complete contact between the sealant and joint surface.

Note The choice of joint sealant type will depend on the amount of movement and chemical resistance required.

Concrete shall be primed with abe.^®cote SF 356 diluted 1:1 with abe.^®thinners no. 3.

This coat must be allowed to dry before overcoating proceeds.

Fresh concrete shall be primed with abe.^®cote 337 – cure for 72 hours before overcoating.

Steel – abe.^®cote SF 356 should only be applied over abe.^®cote 384 and not directly to clean steel.

Galvanised Steel and Zinc coatings – abe.^®cote SF 356 MUST NEVER BE APPLIED TO THESE SURFACES – use   abe.^®cote 386 as a barrier coat.

abe.^®cote SF 356 should be applied by brush or short fibre roller.

Being an amine cured system abe.^®cote SF 356 is prone to ‘bloom’ if drying occurs when humidity is high.

This results in a haze forming on the surface of the coating which is detrimental to good intercoat adhesion.

If ‘bloom’ is present the surface must be wiped down with abe.^® thinners no. 3 before recoating.

Semi-confined areas – although solvent-free, amine fumes require that breathing apparatus be used and that areas are well ventilated.

abe.^®cote SF 356 should not be applied if the ambient temperature is below 10°C. The curing reaction will not proceed at low temperatures.

If surfaces are not at least 2°C above the dew point there is every chance that a film of condensed moisture may be present.

This will adversely effect adhesion of the coating. When work is carried out in full sun, the surface temperatures may rise far above ambient, it will be found that the film will remain thermoplastic until full cross-linking of the coating has taken place.

Clean, dry, dust free silica sand may be mixed into abe.^®cote SF 356 to make a screeding mortar. It is normal to add three volumes of silica to one of mixed abe.^®cote SF 356. (3 by 9.5 kgs of abe.^®screed aggregate per 5 litres of mixed resin) This is mixed thoroughly until the aggregate is fully coated.

The usual thickness of this mortar is 5 mm and it must be laid on to a surface which has previously been primed with a diluted coat of abe.^®cote SF 356 as detailed under Priming of concrete and masonry above.

abe.^®cote SF 356 mortar should be spread onto the surface as soon as possible after complete mixing, since in mass form an exotherm develops rapidly and gelation takes place. Apply the compound in a thin rough layer, and only once the can is emptied, should an attempt be made to spread to a working thickness.

A final coat of abe.^®cote SF 356 is to be applied to the screed surface as a sealer coat.

abe.^®’s super brush cleaner is used for cleaning brushes and rollers and equipment.

All procedures outlined in the product data sheets are to be adhered to.

Uncured abe.^®cote SF 356 is toxic and flammable. Always ventilate working area very well during application and drying.

Avoid naked flames in the vicinity.

Always wear gloves when working with the material and avoid excessive inhalation and skin contact.

If material is splashed in the eye, wash with copious amounts of clean water and seek medical attention.

Cured abe.^®cote SF 356 is inert but must not be allowed to come in contact with food-stuff or drinking water.

This data sheet is issued as a guide to the use of the product(s) concerned. Whilst a.b.e.^® endeavours to ensure that any advice, recommendation, specification or information is accurate and correct, the company cannot – because a.b.e.^® has no direct or continuous control over where and how a.b.e.^® products are applied – accept any liability either directly or indirectly arising from the use of a.b.e.^® products, whether or not in accordance with any advice, specification, recommendation, or information given by the company.

Where other products are to be used in conjunction with this material, the relevant technical data sheets should be consulted to determine total requirements. a.b.e.^® has a wealth of technical and practical experience built up over years in the company’s pursuit of excellence in building and construction technology.