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CONTROLLED CURE TECHNOLOGY™ « BACK
Custom® Building Products is committed to developing innovative, technological solutions. Controlled Cure Technology™ (CCT) controls the rate at which water evaporates during the Portland cement curing process, promoting much faster and more consistent hydration. Custom has developed surface preparation products and adhesives engineered with CCT offering many advantages not found in traditional cement technology.

How does CCT Work?
In Technical Terms - Through the use of additives, Custom is able to reduce the amount of water needed for a usable mix. This lower water requirement is near the ideal requirement needed for maximum cement strength. The remaining water is bound in close proximity to the calcium and aluminium silicate molecules until hydration occur, thus combining nearly all of the mix water into the hydrated cement matrix. By accelerating the hydration process the water is combined with the silicate molecules quickly before it is lost through evaporation and absorption into the floor covering or substrate. Unlike slower drying latex polymers, Custom’s new, advanced polymers are designed to coalesce easily, allowing the rapid release of water during the hydration process.

In Layman Terms - CCT controls the Portland cement curing process promoting much faster and consistent hydration. This allows faster installation of floor coverings over underlayments; an advantage when installing vinyl flooring and wood where residual moisture is a concern. When employed in adhesives, bond strengths to tile and stone develop faster for early grouting and finishing.

Why Control the Curing of Portland Cement?
Portland cement is a natural product composed of various silicate molecules that build strength through the interlocking of hydrated crystals in a matrix during hydration. Many uncontrollable variables affect the hydration process such as type and porosity of substrate

and tile, climatic conditions, variation in installation technique and the amount of liquid required for mixing. If not controlled, the resulting product will be a blend of hydrated and un-hydrated silicate molecules resulting in a weakened structure, low early and final strength and slow set time.

Most Portland cement based products require more water in the mix to achieve a workable consistency. This additional water is not needed for complete hydration. The excess (free) water leaves the system through absorption and evaporation. This free water can migrate into surrounding materials and could lead to mold, mildew and staining of moisture sensitive floor coverings and efflorescence in tile installations. Shrinkage can also occur to underlayments resulting in undesirable cracking. This technology led to the development of a Adhesive capable of installing moisture sensitive stone and tile without warping and curling.

The CCT Advantage:

  • Extremely fast curing properties
  • Consistent curing rate and strength regardless of environmental conditions, thickness of material, substrate or tile type
  • Develops high early strength for quick installations
  • Cracking of the cement compound is virtually eliminated
  • Eliminates bond failure, staining, crumbling and mildew of resilient flooring due to free moisture present in traditional underlayments
  • Prevents staining and warping of moisture-sensitive stone and tile
  • Less shrinkage for higher bond strengths
  • Does not contribute to efflorescence