Have you found yourself looking at polished concrete flooring and wondering how they’re made? Or maybe you have been amazed by huge concrete structures and are curious how they have come about. Oftentimes people ask themselves, “what is concrete made out of?”
Concrete is an incredibly durable material that makes up most of the structures around the world. That is because it is fairly easy to make and it is one of the strongest substances in the world. If you are wondering how concrete is made, whether polished or not, here is the process!
What is concrete made of?
The basic concrete mix has three elements; Portland Cement, water and aggregates (rock and sand). Portland cement is the element that hydrates concrete while making it strong and durable. Without water added to the mix, you will not be able to work with the concrete. One important thing to understand is the water to concrete ratio. This is known as how much water is in the mix compared to cement. If you want a stronger concrete, you want to make sure your ratio of water and concrete is low. Now that we have answered what is concrete made out of, we can discuss how it’s made.
How is concrete made
The most durable concrete is well proportioned between the three ingredients. If concrete’s surfaces are rough or porous, a common mistake is that it has too much paste. It will also be tough to install.
The water to concrete ratio is important when it comes to the durability and strength of concrete. The most common mix is about 10-15 percent cement, 60-75 percent aggregate and 15-20 water. Also, you have to account for about 5-8 percent of entrained air.
Natural water is used to make concrete, but drinking water does the trick. Impure water can affect the overall strength and setting time. The other risks of impure water are: efflorescence, staining, corrosion of reinforcement, volume instability and reduced durability.
Choosing the type of water for your mix is not as complicated as choosing the type of aggregates. This is because aggregates make up a majority of concrete. The type of aggregate you choose will be dependent on the final product which is being used and determine the thickness.
Once the water and aggregates have been mixed it will begin to harden. This is known as a chemical reaction, and as a result, a bump will begin to form on the surface. If a concrete slab is being created it should be left standing until the surface liquid goes away.
The curing concrete process starts after the surface of the concrete has become solid to resist marring. Curing is used to keep the concrete hydrated to maintain its strength!
Difference between concrete and cement
These two properties are commonly mistaken for one another. Cement is a binding material and is used to make concrete. Cement is made with calcium, aluminum, iron and silicon. These materials are crushed and grinded together then put into a kiln.
After this process, the cement is ready to be made into a concrete mix. Concrete is known for its life expectancy. It's a solid option because it's resistant to any scratches, stains or nicks. Concrete creations are also known to be low maintenance. One of the most important things is to not use any harsh chemicals when wiping it down.
When concrete is made and applied correctly, the pros outweigh the cons. Now that we’ve answered the question of, “what is concrete made out of?” and learned how it is produced, you can make some educated decisions on your flooring! If you want to turn your old floors into a beautiful long-lasting floor, contact Custom Concrete Creations today! There is no project that is too big or too small, we always use the best equipment for every project to ensure that you receive the highest quality flooring.