Glyoxal as a possible curing agent for paints based on sodium silicate

The effects of adding glyoxal to sodium silicate solutions have been investigated and compared with those of adding glycollic acid or hydrochloric acid: gel-time and the proportions of small silicate units in the solutions were both studied. It is concluded that the effect of adding glycollic acid is the same as that of adding HCI and that the effect of adding glyoxal is wholly accounted for by its conversion to glycollic acid through a Cannizzaro reaction.