From pitting and spalling to the cracks that will inevitably appear, concrete damage on your curbs, walkways and ramps can be a nuisance. When it comes time to address these areas, take note of the advantageous strength and durability benefits of concrete-alternative epoxies. Let the numbers speak for themselves. Look at the epoxy systems’ compression strength and hardness. Both are important factors to recognize when considering your options.
Stronger than concrete
Compression strength is the capacity of a material to withstand a constant load, or to resist compression. Standard concrete is typically 4,000-5,000 psi. Whereas, epoxy systems from Simon Surfaces typically reach at or above 10,000 psi. It can be two-to-three times stronger than concrete. Hardness is a measure of a material’s resistance to indentation. For instance, how much damage can result from a weighted object being dropped from a specific height. On the Shore D scale, which measures hardness on a scale of 1-100, our standard epoxy system grades in the mid-80s. Concrete, conversely, typically rates in the 50-70 range.
Fast curing
A material’s hardness score is vital in determining the length of time needed to cure and reach its peak hardness. It takes almost a month for concrete to reach its maximum compression strength. This means facility managers and building owners need to keep the area clear of foot and vehicle traffic to compromise the integrity of the surface. Epoxy materials typically cure between 24-72 hours and reach peak strength within 10-14 days. Concrete can take up to a week to cure and will reach peak strength after approximately 30 days.
