By: 
Description
Product Technical Data Sheet
Product: Rock Hard 1400 Color Hardener
Type: Dry Powder Hardener and Colorant for Stamped Concrete
Product Description:
Rock Hard 1400 is a high-performance, ready-to-use dry powder specially formulated for hardening and coloring stamped concrete surfaces. It consists of a precise blend of high-quality, ultra-hard mineral aggregates, pure Portland cement, UV-resistant pigments, and chemical reinforcers. This powder is applied to the fresh concrete surface as it begins to dry, where it is mechanically compacted, resulting in a highly durable, wear-resistant surface layer with a rich, uniform color, ideally suited for stamping and printing processes.
Product Uses:
Rock Hard 1400 is primarily used to create printed concrete flooring with exceptional durability and lasting beauty in:
Exterior locations: Walkways, patios, swimming pools, sidewalks, recreational areas, and light parking areas.
Indoor locations: Showrooms, commercial corridors, light industrial flooring, and restaurants.
Projects requiring high abrasion and scratch resistance with added color aesthetics.
Product Features:
Exceptional Durability and Abrasion Resistance: Significantly enhances the concrete surface’s resistance to abrasion, friction, and scratching, outperforming ordinary concrete by many times.
Superior Surface Hardness: Increases surface hardness, reducing the likelihood of damage from impacts and mechanical stress.
Rich and Vivid Colors: Provides deep, vibrant, and UV-stable colors that do not fade over time or exposure to weather.
Improved Surface Density: Reduces surface porosity, making it less susceptible to penetration by water, oils, and chemicals, and facilitating cleaning and maintenance.
Perfect integration with printing: Provides an ideal surface for release agents and printing stencils, ensuring the finest details of patterns and designs are displayed.
Easy application: Can be applied manually or mechanically to fresh concrete.
Aesthetically pleasing appearance: Gives an attractive and luxurious finish to printed concrete floors.
Compliant with ASTM requirements: Rockhard 1400 has been tested and manufactured to meet, but is not limited to:
ASTM C979: Standard requirements for materials affecting the color of imprinted concrete.
ASTM C779: Standard test methods for abrasion resistance of concrete (when applied correctly).
Typical Technical Data:
Appearance: Fine dry powder.
Colors: Available in a wide range of standard colors (please refer to our color catalog).
Apparent Density: Approximately 1.1–1.3 kg/L.
Coverage: 5–8 kg/m² (depending on the required color intensity and anticipated traffic).
Abrasion Resistance: (Provided based on specific test results according to ASTM C779 – e.g., an increase of 400% to 800% compared to untreated concrete).
Compressive Strength: (Provided based on specific test results – e.g., an increase of up to 20–30% in strength). Surface).
Application Method:
To achieve maximum quality and performance, the following guidelines must be followed precisely:
Concrete Preparation:
Mix: Use high-quality concrete designed for flooring projects (typically with a minimum strength of 25 N/mm² – 3500 psi).
Initial Leveling: Level the fresh concrete using a straightedge or vibrator to ensure a level surface.
Bleed Water: Wait until the bleed water (excess water that rises to the surface) has completely disappeared. Do not apply the product to concrete with visible bleed water.
Spreading Rock Hard 1400:
Initial Spread (First Coat – 60% of the quantity):
When the concrete is strong enough to support the worker’s weight, and before it begins to dry completely (when a person leaves a light footprint), begin by spreading approximately 60% of the recommended quantity (e.g., 3-5 kg/m²) of Rock Hard 1400. Evenly spread over the surface. This can be done manually or using a mechanical spreader.
Let it absorb moisture from the concrete until it is evenly moist and dark (usually 5-15 minutes).
Initial Smoothing (Floating):
Once the powder is fully moist and the dry color has disappeared, use a Bull Float or Power Float trowel to gently incorporate the powder into the concrete surface. The smoothing process should be light, just to incorporate the powder, not to push it into the concrete.
Final Spreading (Second Coat – 40% of the quantity):
After the initial smoothing, evenly spread the remaining quantity (approximately 40%) of Rock Hard 1400 Color Hardener over the surface.
Let it absorb moisture until it is fully moist.
Final Smoothing and Troweling:
Repeat the smoothing process to incorporate the second coat.
Next, use a hand trowel or power trowel to finish and smooth the surface. This step is crucial for achieving a flat, dense, and wear-resistant surface. The surface must be worked until it reaches the desired smoothness, taking into account the subsequent printing process.
Printing and Stamping Process:
Apply Hard Release 1200: When the surface is hard enough to support the weight of the printing dies (the agent leaves a footprint no larger than 3 mm), sprinkle an even layer of Release Agent (separation powder) over the surface. This prevents the printing dies from sticking to the concrete and adds a secondary color that enhances the printed appearance.
Stamping: Place the stamping mats on the surface and press them evenly with a tamper to imprint the design.
Cleaning and Final Protection:
Washing: After the concrete has reached its initial strength (usually after 24-48 hours, but may take up to 72 hours), wash the surface to remove any remaining release agent.
After the floor has dried completely, apply a sealant.
