Lithium Silicate Applications in Floor Coating

Chemical products often change our lives without us even realizing it, and lithium silicate is one such material. In industrial settings, it is widely used to manufacture zinc-rich primers, metal surface treatment agents, adhesives, release agents, and high-grade welding electrodes. In the floor coating industry, lithium silicate serves as an essential raw material for concrete sealers and hardeners. Below, Worner provides an overview of its application in this field.

I. Basic Properties of Lithium Silicate

Lithium silicate, also known as lithium water glass, is a compound formed from metallic lithium and silicate structures, with the molecular formula Li₂SiO₃. It appears as an odorless, transparent liquid with a pH of approximately 11, making it alkaline. It is soluble in water and alkaline solutions but insoluble in alcohols and organic solvents.

Like sodium silicate and potassium silicate, lithium silicate forms a gel when reacted with acids. It exhibits excellent self-drying properties: upon water evaporation, it forms a water-insoluble dry film with superior water irreversibility, resulting in effective waterproofing performance.

II. Use of Lithium Silicate in Concrete Sealers and Hardeners

Concrete sealer hardener is the primary material used in the construction of inorganic hardened floors. Lithium-based concrete sealer hardeners, which use lithium silicate concentrate as their base material, are considered a premium option in the curing agent category.

Compared to traditional sodium-based or potassium-based products, lithium-based formulations offer noticeably improved performance and aesthetics—delivering both greater effectiveness and a superior finished appearance.

The performance advantages of lithium-based concrete sealers and hardeners can be attributed to the unique characteristics of lithium silicate. The ionic radius of lithium is significantly smaller than that of sodium or potassium, which gives lithium silicate aqueous solutions several distinctive properties:

• When SiO₂ particles are around 1 mμ (millimicron) in size, the solution appears clear and transparent, with low viscosity and excellent water resistance, fire resistance, and weather resistance.

• When SiO₂ particles are approximately 3 mμ, the solution takes on a micro-colloidal form, exhibiting higher viscosity and good film-forming properties.

• Lithium silicate aqueous solutions can tolerate a modulus as high as 8, maintaining good stability even at such ultra-high modulus levels.

• The solution self-dries to form a water-insoluble dry film, offering outstanding resistance to wet-dry cycling.

At the microscopic level, lithium-based concrete sealer hardener promotes the formation of a greater abundance of C-S-H (calcium silicate hydrate)—the material that provides concrete with its fundamental strength. This leads to enhanced hardness and abrasion resistance in cement-based floors. Once a sufficient density of C-S-H crystals is achieved, it also significantly improves resistance to water penetration and leakage. Additionally, the dense crystal structure creates an ideal surface for polishing, enabling a high-gloss finish with excellent visual appeal.

Note: C-S-H stands for calcium silicate hydrate, a critical component that underpins the strength of concrete.

Worner Materials (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. specializes in the production and sale of inorganic salts. With a robust quality management system and an established environmental management system, we are committed to providing high-quality, competitively priced products and attentive after-sales service. Lithium silicate is one of our core products. For inquiries or further information, please feel free to contact us—we are here to serve your needs.