Q Can you please send me info regarding your Rockite Expanding Cement. I have been told that it would be a good product to use to fill the space between a tempered glass railing and its surrounding track. I take it that the expansion means flexible, not that it expands when it sets. I am looking for something that is elastomeric.
A With respect to your request Rockite is more than appropriate for the task that you have described. However our products when set have a compression strength greater than concrete. Each product works on hydraulic force locking the glass firmly into place. Our products are not flexible once set.
Q If I put the product in a hole in a level floor, will it expand and create a "dome" above the surrounding flat floor, requiring time-consuming grinding to bring it to level with the surrounding floor?
A No griding should be required at all. Rockite is self-levelling when mixed to a fluid consistency. As a plasticine mix Rockite will self-level just as concrete does with the aid of vibration. Overflow or spillage can be troweld off level or wiped up with a wet cloth within 20-30mins of installation.
Q Information: We are building a deck on a rock ledge. To do so we are anchoring 1/2" rebar into holes drilled 6" into the rock, then pouring a concrete footing above for a flat surface to put our post-base on. I had been using epoxy to secure the rebar in the hole, but its a pain to work with and takes too long to cure. Someone recommended Kwixset. Seems it'd do the trick. My question is: how long after setting the rebar in rock with Kwixset would I have to wait until I could pour my footing over that Kwixset-set rebar?
A Both Rockite and Kwixset have an initial set time of 15 -20 minutes. Therefore I would suggest that if you were to wait for two hours before you pour your concrete that would be more than ample. Rockite and kwixset can actually be stressed after two hours when loading on anchors is required. I note that you did not metioin the diameter of your drilling. I would also suggest depending on loading required that your drilling should be no less than 3/4" or 20 mm. Both Rockite and Kwixset work on hydraulic expansion. Caution: Some rock structures/formations are very soft. Ensure that your engineer has signed off before proceeding with the project.
Q I am wondering if I can use Rockite to combine with concrete to reduce the curing time. If so what ratio should I use?
A Yes is the short answer. How much will be determined by how fast you want the mix to set. In the past I have used about 1 pound per wheel barrow load, yet that was for a specific job. There are many varibles to consider. Water in mix, type of ground, clay, rock etc. Temperature is another factor in this equation. I suggest that you work on a trial and error basis. Apologies for not being absolute with specifics. This is the best that I can advise.
Q I have used Rockite to patch and level a concrete slab, in preparation for installation of new prefinished wood plank floor. The wood floor requires a water-based polyeurethane glue.Will the glue readily adhere to the Rockite?
A Further to your question, In short the answer is yes. I personally would not place wooden planks directly on to concrete. You need to ensure that no moisture can migrate upwards. The moisture will affect water based glues and long term damage to floor boards if the concrete is not sealed. The trend now is to float the floor.
Q TECHNICAL INFORMATION ABOUT SETTING HAND RAIL POST
A Further to your request when setting hand rails, I have found everyone has there own method.
I have encouraged installers to simply core drill. Depending on the size of your stanchion will ultimately determine the diameter of the hole. I know one company that most stanchions, depending, are 45mm square. They generally drill 75-80 mm diameter holes.
They pour the Rockite and simply stand the stanchions in place.
Remember that the concrete will suck the moisture content out of the Rockite quite quickly so make sure that you test your rails etc first. If concrete base is warm at the time of pouring, dampen with water as this will slow down the setting process and will also give you a stronger bonding.
Rockite works on hydraulic force. Test results as illustrated on the website show that the greater the room for expansion the greater your loadings.
If the project is outside and the Rockite is exposed to weather use the water proof version of Rockite. Called Kwixset.
Q I need to patch about 100 conical surface holes ranging up to 2 inches in diameter and up to 1/4 inch deep in a concrete basement slab. I will then paint over the surface with Epoxy shield. What is the time I must wait for rockite to cure prior to epoxy application?
A The initial set is about 15 minutes yet there will still be some moisture content in the floor. This may create some challenges re your surface coating.
I suggest that you give the rockite a chance to set for at least two hours at the very minimum and then test patch a small area. When you are satisfied then proceed. Personally if I could give the Rockite longer I would. The other concern is that the moisture content in the concrete floor also should be thoroughly dry as the concrete floor will absorb water from the Rockite.
When patching, it is recommended that you dust free the floor/holes and dampen the concrete base that needs patching. This will create a better bonding.
Q Our local city inspector has requested information about the adhession between Rockite or Kwixset with glass and alluminum ballustrades?
A Thank you for your request for technical information on Rockite working with glass and alumimum.
You did not mention if you were placing your aluminium channel into the concrete floor or was it above. Some applicators/installers have done away with aluminium as it is of little benefit.
On the following web pages there are a series of test results published from tests conducted in the USA and New Zealand as to the strength properties of Rockite.
Rockite works on hydraulic force. You can see that we have illustrated the increase in loadings where we have increased the diameter of the holes. Depending on the expansion factor allowed, the loadings will increase dramatically.
There is no specific adhesion between the glass and Rockite. Some designers have created a small groove in the glass that will be imbedded into the Rockite/Kwixset thus allowing a locking factor for direct upward lift/tension.
You have not said if your project is internal or external. Please note if external and exposed to the rain you will need to use our water proof product Kwixset.
I trust that the above information meets your building inspectors requirements and that he understands the nature of Hydraulic Forces V Bonding.
Rockite test results note test one and two.
Q Is there any chemical reaction between your products and alluminum stantions, rails etc?
A Sir, thank you for your request. I have attached an article below that was written by an independent party and I believe this will answer your question.
ROCKITE
EFFECT ON ALUMINIUM
The question of the effect of ROCKITE CEMENT on aluminium metal has been raised many times in view of the growing popularity of ornamental aluminium. Since aluminium is attacked by Portland cement, it is only natural to question whether ROCKITE should also have such an effect.
We're happy to state that ROCKITE has no corrosive effect whatever on aluminium. As a matter of fact, every dishwasher knows that their aluminium kitchen utensils are attacked by strong alkaline cleaners. Therefore, they avoid them in their cleaning process. Incidentally, Portland cement is alkaline - ROCKITE CEMENT is not.
A test was made with one end of a length of aluminium moulding embedded in a patty of ROCKITE CEMENT. The specimen was then subjected to a water bath intermittently for four months. At the end of that period, there was no indication that the aluminium had been attacked in any manner whatever, and for all practical purposes it appeared to be in precisely the same condition as it was when the test was begun.
This test, together with the fact that ROCKITE CEMENT has continued to be used quite extensively for fastening aluminium throughout the country, corroborates our contention that ROCKITE has no injurious effect on aluminium and that its use in conjunction with aluminium articles is quite safe.
ROCKITE definitely has no effect on aluminium. ROCKITE not only offers the simplest, easiest, and strongest anchoring medium known today but also eliminates the necessity of protecting ornamental aluminium from the corrosive attack of Portland Cement and other anchoring products.
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