CHEM-CRETE® HERITAGE CCC® 110

Chem-Crete^® Heritage CCC110 is a multi-functional crystalline penetrating colorless sealer for the renovation and protection of heritage structures. It is an invisible treatment that does not change the color, texture, and archeological appearance of treated surfaces. It is a water-based and environmentally friendly protection technology that customizes the chemistry of Chem-Crete waterproofing technologies (proven over the past decades) for applications onto all types of surfaces of historical buildings. Chem-Crete^® Heritage CCC110 can be applied on the exterior and interior surfaces including limestone, granite, marble, cementitious structures, and lime-based mortars, plasters, and renders. It enhances structural sustainability and appearance which dramatically reduces its maintenance costs and positively affects its life cycle.

The low viscosity of Chem-Crete^® Heritage CCC110 allows it to penetrate within treated surfaces without leaving any surface residuals. The functionality of the technology is based on a series of reactions of calcium tartrate crystals and alkali organosilicon compounds within pores. The results of these reactions transform the treated surfaces into hydrophobic and fill their pores with hygroscopic and hydrophilic crystals. The crystals function as pore blockers against water penetration while the pores remain partially open for vapor transport. The protection property of Chem-Crete^® Heritage CCC110 takes place through three mechanisms:  First, it provides the treated surface with an excellent repelling feature that restricts water and dissolved contaminants from penetrating into the treated surface.  Secondly, it blocks water permeation through pores via the pore-blocking crystallization process. Thirdly, it maintains the pores partially open for securing the breathability of the treated structure. Under wet conditions, and upon contact with moisture, the hydrophilic behavior allows the crystals to swell any penetrated water and hence fill the pores with larger crystals preventing further moisture from permeation through.  Simultaneously, the hygroscopic property of the crystals provides continual crystal growth through vapor adsorption towards the source of moisture which ensures structure dryness. By maintaining the internal humidity below the saturation humidity (required for mold growth and other durability attacks), the structure is preserved against all moisture-related problems. Under dry surrounding conditions, the crystals release moisture in a desorption process that makes the crystals shrink to their original size. The released moisture is transported towards the surface through the partially open pores while the crystals occupy less volume fraction of the pores. Such a dynamic swelling /desorption /shrinking process of the crystals will allow treated structures to continually breathe. Overall, Chem-Crete^® Heritage CCC110 reduces water permeability with little or no effect on vapor permeability. Chem-Crete^® Heritage CCC110 responds to the requirements of many historical buildings which rely on permitting the moisture (which may be absorbed) to evaporate back from the surface: This is achieved through its unique characteristics of maintaining open structure for vapor transportation and through its unique dynamic water management mechanisms utilizing reversible growth mechanism (vapor adsorption onto hygroscopic crystals).

The product performance had been proven through laboratory and field testing. The following images compare untreated with treated similar surfaces.

Before Treatment	Post Treatment
Fig. 1: Daniel Boone Grave Marker. Frankfort, Kentucky USA.