Concrete Industry Terms
Page top image size: 1000 x 500 px
accelerator – admixture used to shorten concrete set time and/or earlier strengths
air entrainment – microscopic air bubbles in the cement paste that allows space for expanding moisture during freeze cycles
bleed water – water that rises to the surface of freshly placed concrete as the aggregate settles
bottom out – to bottom out is making certain that the mat textures every inch of the plastic concrete
calcium chloride – admixture used to accelerate the hydration process, not for colored concrete
chemical stains – muriatic acid based pigments that reacts chemically with the concrete
color hardener – (CH) blend of Portland cement, pigment and silica sand used to color the surface of fresh concrete
crazing – shallow map or pattern cracking caused by sealing in bleed water with steel trowels
fiber – secondary reinforcement serves to control shrink cracks… can be steel, polypropylene, nylon, etc. Our 30,000,000 polyester fibers per pound is excellent
finishing aid – liquid or powder that prevents the rapid evaporation of moisture from the surface; also known as “surface evaporation retardant.” Ask for “Eucobar”
floppy – stamping tool (with joints) that is more flexible, allowing closer imprinting to walls
fly ash – pozolan material used as cement substitute, causes slower set times
franchise – buying territory and paying fees to a parent stamping company for the benefit of their expertise, technology, advertising and name recognition, but it shortens the learning curve
gauge rake – adjustable cams allow for varying depths to accommodate different depths of texture when doing stamped overlays
gloss reducing agent – added to sealer to reduce the amount of shine of stamped concrete
integral color – pigment added to the ready mix truck so that the color is throughout the concrete top to bottom. Use in either fly ash or Portland mixes
metal squeegee – flexible Blue Steel blade used to spread thin overlays
micro topping – silica flour, Portland cement and polymer. Used to stretch a new “canvas” over an unsightly floor. stromectol allegro Can be stained and scored
mix design – specific formula of sand, rock, cement, water and admixtures suited for a particular set of job conditions. Have several to suit different conditions
pH pencil – indicates the acidity/alkalinity level of a slab for subsequent procedures. Water based stains and some sealers are pH sensitive
plastic – concrete that is still plastic is still stampable, not yet hardened
pounder – rubber or steel plate with a handle used to bottom out the stamps
psi – pounds per square inch rating of concrete strength determined by test cylinders breaks
release agent – (RA) substance used in stamping to keep the wet concrete from sticking to the stamps. Can be pigmented powder or Clear Liquid Release – “bubblegum”
retarder – admixture used to slow down the hydration rate to allow more time for stamping. Add on site to implement “step retardation”
S tool – used in detailing fresh stamped work, imparting joints or reducing squeeze
sealer – solvent or liquid base material used to protect and enhance the appearance of stamped concrete
seamless – feather edged texture mats without joints. There are many textures available and in different sized mats
skin – small, thin, jointless texture mat, especially good against walls and step faces
slip resistant polymer – very fine material stirred into the sealer to help increase traction
slump – measurement that indicates the rate of workability of plastic concrete, lower is drier
squeeze – thin ridge of fine paste and release that may form between the texture mats while stamping
stamper – cream of the crop concrete finisher
stencils – used with sprayed or troweled overlays, can be sticky back
step retardation – adding on site to delay the setting time, allowing for a more manageable window. For example: adding retarder to the last half part of the load
super plasticizer – high range water reducer admixture that provides the advantage of workability without the penalty of lower strength and segregation from additional water. Can be added on site by the contractor
water to cement ratio – pounds of water per pounds of cement, lower is better
water based stains – latex or acrylic based pigments can look like acid stains with many more colors available. Best applied with airless or HVLP equipment
wash – a solution of thinner (xylene, toluene, mineral spirits) added to a smaller amount of solvent based sealer with dry RA added for color, applied with a pump up sprayer, airless or brush. Effective for accent stamped areas, coloring individual stones or evening out colors
water reducer – admixture that increases the workability and decreases the amount of water in ready mixed concrete
Back to Blog