SUPERSHIELD DPC (Deep Penetrating capillary) waterproofing systems improves the waterproofing and durability of concrete by filling and plugging pores, capillaries, micro-cracks, and other voids with a non-soluble, highly resistant crystalline formation.

The waterproofing effect is based on two simple reactions, one chemical and one physical. Concrete is chemical in nature. When a cement particle hydrates, the reaction between water and the cement causes it to become a hard, solid mass. The reaction also generates chemical by-products that lie dormant in the concrete. SUPERSHIELD DPC system adds another set of chemicals to the mixture. When these two chemical groups, the by products of cement hydration and the SUPERSHIELD DPC system chemicals, are brought together in the presence of moisture, a chemical reaction occurs. The end product of this reaction is a non soluble crystalline structure.

This crystalline structure can only occur where moisture is present, and thus will form in the pores, capillary tracts, and shrinkage cracks in concrete. Wherever water goes, SUPERSHIELD DPC system will form filling the pore, voids and cracks.

When SUPERSHIELD DPC system is applied to the surface, either as a coating or as a dry sprinkle application to a fresh concrete slab, a process called chemical diffusion takes place. The theory behind diffusion is that a solution of high density will migrate through a solution of lower density until the two equalize. Thus, when concrete is saturated with water prior to applying SUPERSHIELD DPC system, a solution of low chemical density is also being applied. When SUPERSHIELD DPC system is applied to the concrete, a solution of high chemical density is created at the surface, triggering the process of chemical diffusion. The SUPERSHIELD DPC system chemicals will migrate through the water (the solution of low density) until the two solutions equalize.

The SUPERSHIELD DPC system chemicals spread through the concrete and become available to the by products of cement hydration, allowing the chemical reaction to take place. A crystalline structure is formed, and as the chemicals continue to migrate through the water, this crystalline growth will form behind this advancing front of chemicals.

The reaction will continue until the SUPERSHIELD DPC system chemicals are either depleted or run out of water. Chemical diffusion will take these chemicals about 12 inches minimum into the concrete. If water has only soaked two inches into the surface, then the SUPERRSHIELD DPC system chemicals will only travel two inches and stop but, they still have the potential to travel 10 inches further, if water reenters the concrete at some point in the future and reactivates the chemicals.

Instead of reducing the porosity of concrete, like water reducers, plasticizers, and superplasticizers, the SUPERSHIELD DPC system engages the material filling and plugging the voids in concrete to become an integral and permanent part of the structure. Because these crystalline formations are within the concrete and are not exposed at the surface, they cannot be punctured or otherwise damaged like membranes or surface coatings. SUPERSHIELD DPC system is highly resistant to chemicals where the pH range is between three and 11 under constant contact, and two to 12 under periodic contact. Capillary waterproofing will tolerate temperatures between -25 degrees Fahrenheit (-32 degrees Centigrade) and 265 degrees Fahrenheit (130 degrees Centigrade) in a constant state. Humidity, ultraviolet light, and oxygen levels have no impact on the products ability to perform. In a nutshell SUPERSHIELD DPC system waterproofs, protects and enhances the durability of the concrete.

SUPERSHIELD DPC Technology improves the durability and performance of concrete structures, lowering their maintenance cost and extending their lifespan by protecting them against the effect of aggressive chemicals.