Decorative plaster microcement

Recently often such names of finishing materials as microconcrete and decorative plaster microcement meet. Material was invented by developers of the company from Argentina – Edfan (the products of a brand are presented in Russia). The novelty was already estimated, and about it (as) there is a wish to tell about an alternative to bulk floors and a ceramic tile in more detail.

Microcement and microconcrete what is it

The composition of material is displayed in the name. Developers set the object to create for the walls which are under big loading, the finishing material differing at the same time in durability, a subtlety of grains binding and filler therefore as knitting applied cement of especially thin grind (to grains of 6-8 microns). Also the quartz sand allowing to put layers of the minimum thickness differs in the small diameter of grains (two layers totally do not exceed 3 mm). New material has two versions differing grinding thickness. The covering more rough is called microconcrete, another (on a subtlety and smoothness of a surface close to the Venetian) – microcement decorative plaster.

Except small-kernel (almost flour) quartz filler and tonkomoloty cement pigments and additives of polymers are a part. Thus, a novelty – at the same time industrial and decorative material creating the invoice, the closest to concrete differing from it in visually bigger pleasantness for eyes, not causing discomfort of naked walls.

Use of microconcrete is broader, than at decorative structures. To them strengthen soil, use at repair of wells and underground construction. In housing, industrial and public buildings microconcrete is successfully used for a covering of floors. Generally, material successfully covers any firm basis, it can be reinforced and applied in the system of heat-insulated floors.

New material is used for a furniture decor and floor coverings that allows to create interiors in a uniform style key.

Plaster microcement is carried to the category of bonus materials, according to this level and its price is established. On wear resistance and durability, for example, shock, microconcrete and microcement coatings surpass laminate, a ceramic tile, a parquet board or marble. For this reason it is applied more willingly to a covering of floors where except porcelain tile and a floor tile microconcrete has no competitors. Microcement structures are applied also to finishing of furniture, for example, of table-tops.

Except features of structure, the novelty is distinguished by an originality of technology on which the success of a covering depends. Therefore drawing microcement weight needs to study. Drawing only manual.

Pluses and minuses

Let's stop on positive and negative features of material.

Except visual "pleasantness" new material has tempting properties:

• surprisingly strong coupling (even with such materials as glass, ceramics, a tree, plastic, metal) is reached thanks to ability of solution to get into the minute pores of the basis and stickiness of cement and polymeric components;
• high durability (successfully resists to attrition, compression, has even a certain durability on a bend) both at the expense of knitting, and due to increase in the general surface of inert particles;
• impermeability and resistance to water influence (it is reached thanks to density of laying of particles and water-repellent properties of pitches);
• universality (it suits for facades and interiors);
• possibility of drawing very thin coverings (for example, at a renovation of floors the thin layer will not demand a raising of door blocks);
• fire safety and resistance to heating (however, it is impossible to put on a covering the ware removed from fire);
• high decorative opportunities (a basic palette – from 30 flowers, a possibility of receiving a glossy or opaque surface, material vysokoplastichen);
• durability;
• resistance to biodefeat;
• seamlessness;
• an opportunity to conduct finishing works in the enclosed space;
• lack of the cooling feeling at touch;
• does not absorb smells;
• is not afraid of vibrations;
• small thickness, superplasticity and adhesiveness allow to strengthen the weak bases;
• water - vapor impermeability (allows to apply in zones of direct influence of water);
• long service life;
• simplicity of leaving (it is washed by neutral means).

It is necessary to carry to negatives:

• need of lack of differences of a surface of the basis more than 2 mm;
• existence of fakes;
• need of acquisition (in certain cases) additional materials, for example, impregnations;
• need of training in methods of laying (skills of the finisher-plasterer are necessary);
• labor input of drawing;
• the high cost of finishing by branded materials by the trained masters;
• reinforcing requires only an alkaliproof grid.

Types of microcement

There are two main types of microcement:

• single-component (are mixed only by water), the acrylic dehydrated resin is added to structure in the form of powder (because of what loses partially properties);
• two-component (And – dry structure in the form of powder, In – a liquid pitch component).

In lines of the main producers there are several modifications of microcement mix.

For example, the Spanish company Topciment offers such kinds of two-component microcement of decorative plaster:

1. Microcement base – is used generally for drawing a basic layer under other types of microcement mixes, gives a "hilly" rough surface (it can also be applied to drawing the top decorative layer). The expense at a two-layer covering on meter – 2.0 kg, the size of grains is up to 0.5-0.6 mm.
2. Microdeck more is suitable for floors of rooms, for example, of ladders, corridors where the most heavy traffic. An expense on a meter square – 1.0 kg, granules up to 0.2-0.3 mm.
3. Microfino apply to finishing of ceilings and walls. Mix forms a silky pleasant surface, has effect of stains. An expense – 0.5 kg on a meter square, granules – up to 0.125 mm.
4. Microstone – material is ideal for front and other external surfaces (a verandah, a terrace, a loggia). Grains up to 0.4 mm, an expense – 2.0 kg on a square, are formed by an antiskid covering.
5. Aquaciment M, XL use for basic (first) and finishing layers of coverings of pools (the category M goes for external sides). Has effect of antisliding (category XL – for internal surfaces), smoothness. Expense of 3.0 and 1.8 kg/sq.m respectively.

Technical characteristics of material

The plaster described above microcement has the following characteristics:

• durability on a bend at the age of 28 days – from 7 to 11 N/mm2;
• on compression – from 22 to 50 N/mm2;
• adhesion – 1-2 – 1.5 N/mm2;

The specified sizes of a covering are reached at the age of 28 days. Special vulnerability in the first two days. Not to damage a covering, operate with care. In a week on the surface of microconcrete it is possible to go.

Set of materials for drawing

In order that the covering had a high-quality appearance, and the surface was stronger, in a complex with the main materials (dry mix, a liquid basis and pigments) apply also:

• special primers, for example, Impoxy (for prevention of a capillary suction or blocking of vapor barrier);
• two-component varnishes on the basis of polyurethane;
• the impregnations serving for connection of layers mikrobetona / cement in a whole.

Required tool

Apply mix and process by means of tools:

• rubber trowel (apply to drawing and smoothing down);
• the pallet sponge (it is applied to alignment of a layer);
• trowel from stainless steel with a slanted edge, the rounded edges (drawing, leveling);
• brush with a natural bristle (it is necessary for imposing of primer on the ceramic basis);
• the korotkovorsny roller (for varnishing);
• mixer.

Putting microcement

Preparation of a surface

Preparation of the basis (floor and walls) can differ a little. So a floor (and steps of ladders) requires application for underlying couplers of high-branded material, hardening of a surface of the basis, reinforcing of edges of steps. Generally the prepared surface has to be strong, equal, not have cracks and differences on height more than 2 mm. It also has to be cleaned from spots, dust, the rusting objects. Before causing microcement structure the basis is twice grounded and dried up.

Coating application on a floor

On floors microconcrete is applied in three layers and surely reinforce the first of them. The scheme looks so:

• The 1st layer — the reinforcing grid, resistant to alkali, + basic microconcrete + polymer;
• The 2nd and 3rd layers — decorative microconcrete a color + polymer.

Technology of drawing on walls and a ceiling

Walls and ceilings can not demand reinforcings.

Drawing is similar to standard technology:

• the basic layer is carried out a continuous shpaklevaniye of a surface "on sdir";
• the finishing layer when losing by the newly-laid mass of crude luster is smoothed down a metal gladilka.

Smoothing down can be both wet, and dry, grinding by abrasives and polishing is allowed. If it is required to create the rough invoice, put with a trowel the drawing. Final finishing is carried out by putting varnishes or special impregnations, wax.

Main technology of drawing:

1. Preparation of a surface.
2. Surface primer (quartz soil is most often used).
3. Solution preparation: in capacity pour in a liquid component, mix it with a pigment (some dyes part with water), pour dry mix, mix the mixer.
4. Put with a trowel a thin basic layer (1-2 mm).
5. The pallet sponge (dry) level a surface.
6. The layer is smoothed once again a metal trowel, adding the insignificant drawing.
7. In 2-3 hours (for a tile and the mixes Edfan – not less than 24 hours) impose a trowel the second layer of 1-2 mm.
8. Approximately in an hour smooth a layer surface with a wet sponge.
9. Hatem once again level a metal trowel, but do not polish that dark stains did not appear.
10. On the finish (in a day) the layer is ground (it is possible the grinder).
11. Carefully wash with water, wipe and leave for day.
12. Apply protective sealant on plaster with the roller.
13. 12 hours later begin putting varnish.

The technology of drawing strongly depends on the recommendations of the producer.

For example, the simplest of technologies familiar to us following:

• to prepare a surface;
• to ground a surface quartz soil;
• to put the first layer with simultaneous formation of future drawing;
• to put the second layer on sdir and to smooth down it;
• to varnish a surface chaotic movements of a brush.