Sika SA is proud to have developed two amazing new floor products and to see one of them being used for the first time on a project. Toyota Material Handling, which is forming part of CFAO Equipment South Africa in Gqeberha, found that its business outgrew its facilities over the last two years. To avoid continuous off-site rentals and to facilitate further expansion caused by market demand, they opted for a new purpose-built factory that houses all departments under one roof.

It was essential for the new floor to be hardwearing and resistant to impact, oil and battery acid spills. To combat these and ensure the longevity of the concrete floors, a denser product was used in their service bays, engineering shops, battery storage and tyre fitment department.

Unique liquid hardener and sealing product

Recently released to the market are Sikafloor® CureHard LI (a lithium-silicate liquid hardener and densifier of fresh and hardening power-trowelled or polished concrete surfaces) and Sikafloor® CureHard GL (a sealing lithium silicate-based crystalline agent with a high-gloss finish).

Sikafloor® CureHard GL is a water-soluble agent used for sealing and additional curing of existing power-trowelled or polished/grinded concrete surfaces.

It improves the durability and tightness of concrete surfaces by penetrating its texture, where it initiates a chemical reaction and subsequent crystallisation of reaction products, which results in the filling of the concrete surface pores. Acrylic dispersion fills surface pores and thus reduces the absorption of the concrete during the first days after application.

High silk-gloss surface

Prior to the application of Sikafloor® CureHard GL, a mechanical scrubber, using only water, was used to softly wash the concrete floor. The floor was allowed to dry before one coat of the product was applied with a microfibre mop. The ideal drying time is 24 hours, so the first coat was allowed to dry overnight. A second coat of the product was applied in the same manner and again given 24 hours to dry.

Application only to be done by trained and experienced professionals

Sika’s representative, John Zehmke, provided the product and technical support to the main contractor on the project, Rand Civils. Although easy to apply, Sikafloor® CureHard GL may only be applied by experienced professionals trained in its use. As such, they contracted Chris Howes Construction and collectively set out to protect and enhance the look of the new floor at Toyota Material Handling, which was done over a period of ten days in July 2022.

For more information, contact Sika:
Tel: +31 792 6500
Email: Cloete.romaine@za.sika.com
Website: www.sika.co.za

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