Assessment of potassium silicate based surface penetration materials with low viscosity in the repair of concrete structures

In recent years, surface penetration has attracted attention as a repair method for concretes structures. Silicate based penetration materials have been used in this method. In this study, visual appearance, water permeability, water absorption, water-vapor permeability, neutralization (carbonation) and chloride ion penetration testing of a silicate based surface penetration material are performed. The protection and waterproofing effects of a silicate based surface penetration material are evaluated based on the results. The silicate based surface penetration material penetrates deeply into the concrete surface, shows self-repair functionality, is effective to the neutralization (the carbonation) of the concrete and improves the performance of waterproofing. The penetration depth of the silicate based surface penetration materials plays an important role in the surface penetration method. Therefore, permeability testing of a mortar specimen, penetration depth testing of the mortar specimens with various silicate based surface penetration materials, viscosity testing of the materials and modelling of the one dimensional penetration into the mortar specimens are performed. The results of viscosity testing and coefficient of permeability suggest that these silicate based surface penetration materials will perform well surface penetration materials.