VANCOUVER, BC -- A green technology used to waterproof, protect and repair concrete structures for a wide variety of new and existing applications -- Xypex Chemical Corporation's proprietary Concrete Waterproofing by Crystallization -- has reached its 40th year of use in thousands of construction projects around the world.
The Xypex Crystalline Technology is judged to be one of the most effective, efficient and economical solutions to protect concrete from water ingress.
Xypex has been observing the technology's 40th anniversary in stages. Since 1970, the technology has been has been successfully specified in more than 70 countries.
Xypex Waterproofing by Crystallization uses concrete's inherent water permeability to deliver crystalline chemicals that plug the material's pores and bridge micro-cracks that occur as the concrete dries and shrinks.
The crystalline waterproofing chemistry can be easily introduced into new concrete as an admixture, a dry-shake product, or a surface-applied coating. For existing concrete, surface-applied coatings are used.
The Xypex Crystalline technology uses water in the capillary tracts as a diffusing medium to carry waterproofing chemicals into the concrete. The chemicals migrate through the waterways of the saturated pore network, where they react and grow non-soluble, needle-like crystals that plug the pores. Within a few weeks of crystal growth, liquids can no longer pass through and the transmission of gases is significantly restricted.
The effect is permanent. The technology will self-seal new micro-cracks if and when they occur years after the original application.
The Xypex crystalline technology delivers an integral waterproofing system without the exposure disadvantages presented by external barrier/membrane solutions. It also is generally less costly and more convenient than external barrier approaches.
The Xypex Crystalline Waterproofing Technology is non-toxic, contains no VOC's (volatile organic compounds), and is NSF-61 approved for potable water by NSF International.
