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January 2010 Vol. 10 No. 1
Feature Article
How Admixtures Affect Integral Colorby Chris Mayo This walkway in Florida was created with integral color. The integral colors used are Cranberry, Marina Green and Powder Blue, which were originally produced by QC Construction Products. They are now manufactured by ChemSystems Inc. Photos courtesy of Chris Sullivan
When it comes to colored concrete, the industry standard tends toward rich coloring that implies depth - a finish that draws the eye - and there are plenty of examples of colored concrete that achieve that standard. Unfortunately, there are also instances in which the coloring process appears to have gone horribly wrong: a mottled look, a faded or dull appearance, or blistering and delaminating of stains or dyes. Why do some concrete pours result in the desired appearance while others fall short? Most contractors know that water is the guiltiest of parties when it comes to faded integral colors. More water equals less vibrant color... always. But water isn't the only culprit when it comes to unsatisfactory...
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