Colored concrete: types of dyes and production technologies

For individuals wishing to give their construction projects a dash of originality and creativity, colored concrete is becoming a popular option. Colored concrete presents countless opportunities for aesthetic improvement, whether it is used for commercial flooring, residential driveways, or artistic installations. It’s about turning plain concrete into an eye-catching element that can enhance any design concept—it’snotjust about adding color.

The kinds of dyes and pigments that are used are what create the magic in colored concrete. These dyes are available in a variety of forms, including liquid, granular, and powdered, each with unique benefits and ways to use them. The variety of dyes available makes it possible to customize colors in a wide range of ways, from earthy tones to vivid hues, to suit various tastes and styles.

It is imperative to comprehend the colored concrete production technologies in order to attain the intended result. For a consistent and long-lasting color, the selected dyes are mixed with the concrete at various points during the process. Different methods of incorporating color into concrete, each producing unique textures and effects, include integral coloring, surface-applied color, and acid staining.

More than just a fad, colored concrete is a strong, adaptable material for use in contemporary architecture and construction. Through experimentation with different dyes and production techniques, designers and builders can produce unique, eye-catching concrete surfaces. Any concrete structure can become a work of art with the appropriate technique, contributing significantly to the overall architectural appeal.

Type of Dye	Production Technology
Integral Color	Color is mixed into the concrete before pouring
Acid Stains	Acid reacts with concrete to create a natural-looking color
Concrete Dyes	Dyes are mixed with solvents and applied to cured concrete
Concrete Paint	Surface is painted with special concrete paint after curing

Using different dyes and production methods, colored concrete is a versatile material that enhances the visual appeal of construction projects. This article examines the various kinds of dyes, including integral color, pigments, and acid stains, each of which has a distinct finish and effect. In order to ensure vivid and durable colors, it also explores production technologies, such as through-body coloring and surface application techniques. Choosing the best strategy for any decorative concrete project is made easier by being aware of these options.

The role of dye in concrete

The look of city streets can be varied by using colored concrete products. Squares, embankments, and paths in public parks and on private property are laid out using this technique.

Paving slabs, curbstones, paving stones, and other products made of reinforced concrete are all made from colored concrete.

Concrete can be colored in a variety of ways. Color is added to the surface of the hardened concrete mixture using acid or water-acrylic based dyes. Below is a description of how to make colored concrete with your hands.

When acid dyes are applied to concrete, a chemical reaction takes place that allows the paint to deeply penetrate the product’s structure. This dyeing technique is useful and long-lasting.

Concrete can be painted while it’s still in the preparation stage, meaning it can be painted before it solidifies. Dry coloring pigments are added to it in order to achieve this, resulting in a product that is uniformly colored.

Crucial! If the concrete mixture is prepared using white cement, the shade will be more vibrant and saturated.

Pigments and dyes serve the following purposes in addition to giving concrete and products made from it a decorative appearance:

1. Protect the surface of artificial stone from exposure to low temperatures;
2. Prevents the formation of concrete dust on the surface of the product;
3. Make the material resistant to direct sunlight;
4. Provide dirt-repellent properties of the concrete surface;
5. Gives an aesthetic appearance to the coating;
6. Increase the moisture resistance of the material.

The operating conditions of the concrete surface and the acceptable cost of the work should be taken into consideration when choosing whether to paint the concrete surface deeply or only on the surface.

The following are some advantages of decorative concrete to be aware of:

1. Aesthetic appearance and a wide range of colors;

1. Long-lasting service life of the material;

1. Resistance to environmental influences, which allows it to be used outdoors;

1. Wear resistance of the surface;

1. Concrete acquires a dust-free surface;

1. The simplicity and accessibility of concrete staining technology – work can be done with your own hands.

Among painted concrete’s subtleties, the following should be mentioned:

1. Pigments with high quality have high cost;

1. Dyes for external coloring are also a lot;

1. It is important to observe the technology of work to obtain a quality result.

Dyes and pigments

Concrete can be stained in two ways that are essentially distinct from one another. Use an acid dye that contains active ingredients to paint the finished concrete. These ingredients will react chemically with the base to give the concrete the appropriate color.

The second method involves coloring concrete mortar while it is being prepared using dry pigments in the form of finely dispersed powder additives of different colors.

Crucial! Whatever technique is used to color the concrete, the pigments must be of a quality that satisfies a number of fundamental needs, including wettability, light resistance, and alkali resistance. This determines the pigment’s degree of compatibility with other ingredients in the concrete mixture.

In addition to the dye, the following factors affect how well-colored the concrete is:

1. Colors of cement, sand and internal filler;
2. Surface texture;
3. Compliance with the technological process and sequence of work;
4. Concrete mortar hardening conditions;
5. Water and cement ratio.

Features of color pigments

It is best to avoid considering a color pigment’s reaction with cement or how quickly it fades in direct sunlight when coloring concrete. Furthermore, the pigment needs to be able to withstand the harsh, alkaline environment that cement binder typically finds itself in.

Among the synthetic mineral pigments, it is customary to use:

1. Lead, titanium and zinc white;
2. Zinc crown;
3. Zinc green;
4. Dry lithopone;
5. Chromium oxide;
6. Burn umber;
7. Soot;
8. Painter"s glaze.

Among the natural mineral pigments, the following can be applied:

1. Lime;
2. Chalk;
3. Ocher;
4. Kaolin;
5. Graphite;
6. Manganese peroxide;
7. Umber;
8. Iron red lead.

Among the metallic pigments are:

1. Golden bronze;
2. Zinc dust;
3. Aluminum powder.

Artificial cinnabar, scarlet, yellow, blue, and red pigments are examples of organic pigments.

We’ll talk about how to make colored concrete below, as well as what makes concrete colored.

Classification of color pigments

Concrete coloring can be achieved with liquid, granular, or powdered dyes:

Dry (powder) pigment
Description	Qualities	Scope	Brief technology
It is produced using dry milling technology. It is characterized by high coloring capacity and optimal granulometric composition.	Positive:

• heat resistance;
• light resistance;
• resistance to external influences;
• environmentally friendly;
• easy to use;
• does not require maintenance of the painted coating;
• decorative qualities.

• it is difficult to paint concrete at low temperatures;
• requires strict adherence to technological processes;
• high cost.

• can be stored for a long time without losing properties;
• uniformity of coloring;
• resistance to ultraviolet radiation;
• the material is weather-resistant;
• has a wide range of colors;
• light-resistant.

• during long-term storage, it is necessary to periodically stir the composition until a homogeneous consistency is achieved;
• high cost.

To add color to the mixture of concrete. The dye is pre-mixed for 45 seconds and added to the filler manually or with the aid of an automatic dispenser.

Additives, water, and cement must then be added. There are roughly 120 seconds allotted for mixing.

• decorative;
• wear resistance;
• strength of the coating;
• is a universal material;
• resistant to temperature changes;
• has a uniform color and dense structure;
• resistant to mechanical impacts.

Devices and protective equipment for the production of colored concrete

Special tools are required for painting concrete while the mixture is being produced.

You’ll need the following for this:

1. A forced-type concrete mixer with a capacity of 150 liters or more;

1. For large production volumes, you can use a mobile concrete mixer with a tractor or automobile chassis;

1. A mechanism for lifting and transporting the composition on the construction site;
2. A concrete pump and pneumatic pump;

1. A container for the mixture;
2. A trowel;

1. Shotcrete unit;

1. The solution is unloaded using a scoop with a beveled end;
2. A self-propelled, suspended or hand vibrator;

1. A joint cutter.

1. A set of brushes that differ in the width and length of the bristles and horsehair;
2. Painting tape;
3. A set of rollers with different widths and foam nozzles;
4. Sprayer;
5. Telescopic handle for working at height or scaffolding;
6. Paint container.

Gloves, respirators, glasses, and protective masks are examples of personal protective equipment.

Obtaining colored concrete during the production of the mixture

Vibrant concrete, then: technology.

The benefit of this technology is that it paints the entire mass of the concrete mixture, so there’s no need to replace the worn-out outer layer. This technology is used to create tiles, paving stones, curbs, and fill concrete paths and platforms, even though pigments are fairly expensive.

In order to get the right color, you should first make a small amount of solution to find out how much dye is needed. To ensure that the color doesn’t change in the future, the chosen dosage must be closely followed.

Crucial! When the solution dries, cracks may appear on the surface if a lot of dye is added. This occurs as a result of the dry powder absorbing the moisture required to mix the cement. As a result, adding additives that retain moisture is advised.

What factors affect concrete’s color and quality? The parameters of its dye saturation are determined by the properties of the cement; specifically, this ranges from 5 to 6% of the cement mass. The concrete will become weaker and less resistant to frost if this parameter is exceeded.

Varying amounts of dye may be needed, depending on the final result’s intensity: Pastel shades will require 1 to 2 kg of dye, medium-intense colors will require 3 to 4 kg, and bright, saturated colors will require 4 to 6 kg.

Advice: More dye will be needed for colors that need to be lighter and brighter.

Preparing the mixture

Gravity concrete mixers are not advised when mixing colored concrete. A forced-rotary concrete mixer is a better option for efficiently mixing powder dye. The key to this technology is timing the introduction of the pigment, which will impact the shade’s quality.

The guidelines are as follows:

1. At the first stage, mix the dry filler and pigment. This process should take from 15 to 20 seconds;
2. At the second stage, mixing is repeated after the cement has been added. The time interval is the same as in the first stage;
3. At the third stage, mixing occurs for 1 – 1.5 minutes.

Crucial! The proportion of cement to water determines how light the finished color will be. The shade gets lighter the more of it there is. Adding more cement will result in a richer color.

The act of combining dry ingredients is equally significant. The filling material’s moisture content affects the outcome as well.

The process of compacting the material

It is untrue to say that the density of concrete affects its color. However, it has been observed that the formation of efflorescence is a sign of inadequately compacted material because of the porous nature of concrete.

This may have an impact on the material’s appearance. Although efflorescence is a natural process that cannot entirely be stopped, it can be controlled by properly compacting the concrete mixture.

Hardening process

The concrete will take on a lighter or darker tone based on the hardening conditions. For instance, the concrete structure forms needle-shaped crystals at high temperatures, which lightens the shade. The same concrete will be darker after curing at a lower temperature.

It is advised to do the following in order to preserve curing conditions in a single mode:

1. Air humidity and temperature must remain constant throughout the entire concrete hardening process;
2. As for the humidity level, the higher it is, the better;
3. Drafts in the room must be excluded;
4. Moisture evaporation should be minimal;
5. It must be prevented from getting moisture on the base during the hardening process.

This article’s video will teach you how to create colored concrete by hand.

An attractive and functional substitute for conventional gray concrete is colored concrete. Your projects will look better because you can achieve a wide range of colors and finishes by using different dyes. The possibilities are almost endless, ranging from delicate earth tones to vivid colors.

Colored concrete is made with a variety of dyes, such as acid stains, color hardener, and integral color. Every variety has special qualities and ways of using it. Prior to pouring, integral color is incorporated into the concrete to ensure a continuous color. When concrete is first poured, color hardeners are applied to the surface to provide vibrant, long-lasting color. Concrete and acid stains react chemically to produce naturally occurring, variegated tones.

With the advancement of production technologies, precise and long-lasting results are now easier to achieve with colored concrete. In order to guarantee consistent color and avoid problems like fading or discoloration, proper mixing and application techniques are essential. Furthermore, the durability and aesthetic appeal of colored concrete can be greatly improved by using premium dyes and adhering to best practices.

In the end, colored concrete creates fascinating opportunities for projects involving both homes and businesses. It blends the beauty and customizability of color with the robustness and longevity of concrete. Colored concrete can realize your vision for any type of project, be it a distinctive architectural element, a sleek modern floor, or an aesthetically pleasing patio.

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