Quartz-Lithium Technology
TECHNICAL DATA (Lithium [Li ] vs. Sodium [Na] and Potassium [K])
1. The smaller size of the Li ion of the SiO2/Li2O molecule vs. the Na or K ion is important.
2. The location of the Li ion in the SiO2/Li2O molecule is also important. The Li ion is “close”, actually touching the SiO2, while Na and K are “distant”. The inter-atomic distances of Na and K make them more available to react quickly with the available Ca or CaOH. The quicker the reaction, the less penetration is able to occur.
3. With a silica to Li ratio of 20:1 vs. 3:1 for Na, the Crenz Protect Quartz-Lithium™ Technology is more “potent”, relative to the silica content which is what reacts with the free Ca and CaOH to form C-S-H. (calcium-silicate-hydrates) In addition, when LiSiO2 reacts, it does not produce free Na or NaOH, (sodium hydroxide) which can raise the pH of the concrete surface.
4. Na and K remain soluble in water. This solubility allows them to undergo expansion/contraction cycles with wet/dry cycles. Li becomes insoluble and remains stable throughout these environmental changes.
Crenz Protect Quartz-Lithium™ Technology has about 1/5 less “interfering” mass as a sodium silicate. This is the advantage of the lithium and one in which size really matters. The smaller lithium ion stabilizes the silicate ions more efficiently with less mass and fewer molecules, resulting in improved performance while not contributing to higher pH levels.
TECHNICAL DATA (Lithium [Li] versus Sodium [Na])
Lithium silicates are quite insoluble and do not absorb water. They are much more stable over a wider range than potassium or sodium silicates.
1. Lithium is insoluble.
2. Lithium does not absorb water and expand.
3. Lithium is not a naturally occurring sulfate and will not contribute to sulfate attack.
4. Lithium reactions are calmer and more even throughout the surface layer of the concrete than sodium or potassium reactions.
5. Lithium reacts with calcium hydroxide in the capillary channels of the concrete to form complex tricalcium silicate compounds that keep moisture out—moisture from humidity as well as cleaning.
6. Lithium hardens up to 40% more compared to 26% for sodium/potassium silicates.
Very early in the hydration of cement, calcium ions are incorporated in the hydration products, but potassium and sodium stay in solution and eventually they are partially incorporated into calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and monosulfate (AFm ) . Hydroxide ions from the hydration of Portland cement result in a pore solution having a pH of at
least 12.5. Soluble alkalies raise the pH to about 13 or higher. The amount of alkalis present in the pore water is related to the amount of soluble alkalis present in the cement. The hydroxide ions will attack the silica surface.