Construction
Calcium carbonate has been used for centuries as a basis for construction. Columbia River Carbonates has been continuing this rich tradition with specifically made products for the paints, traffic paint, asphalt, concrete, plastics, PVC, fiberglass, glass, roofing, ceiling tile, adhesives/caulks and dry wall sectors. Calcite has very desirable characteristics that make it ideal for use in these industries. CRC enhances these characteristics with precise fineness and particle size distributions that are specially made for their intended purposes.
One of the first commercial uses of calcium carbonate was in glaziers’ putty. It is still the case that Columbia River Carbonates’ product is used in traditional putty as well as in a variety of synthetic modern caulks and sealants. Ground calcium carbonate is a cost effective mineral additive that imparts good solids build, visco-elasticity, color and cured durability to these products. It also has fire retardant properties that are sought after by firestop system caulk manufacturers. Calcium carbonate is also a vital ingredient in self-leveling and thin-set mortars for floors and in epoxy tile grout products. Microna 3 is typically used in caulks and sealants while Microna 10 offers superior durability, solids build and value in grouts and mortars.
The paint and coatings industry has long used mineral pigments and extenders to develop opacity, gloss and color. Used chiefly in architectural coatings, the role of ground calcium carbonate is to build paint solids, extend costly TiO2 and to control sheen. The formulator typically chooses Microna 3 for millwork primer and high sheen acrylics, Microna 7 for general trade products and Microna 10 for flat interior emulsions and for traffic marking paint. For further information and suggestions on what Microna variant would suit your formulation best, please contact Columbia River Carbonates.
Ground calcium carbonate plays a very important role in the manufacture of PVC pipe. Commonly used as an extender of resin and TiO2, GCC also adds functionality to certain pipe grades, such as higher impact strength. In the blend tank and in the extruder the use of GCC aids productivity by promoting faster heat up and cool down cycle times. Columbia River Carbonates recommends our NSF Schedule 14 certified Microna 2 and Microna 3 products for use in your PVC pipe extruder lines.
Calcium carbonate fines (CCF) in the form of various ConCarb grades are used in the concrete market as high-quality fillers in concrete products such as paving stones, tubes and sewage tanks, as well as in ready-mixed and pre-cast concrete.
The workability of semi-dry, plastic or self-compacting concretes and self-leveling mortars is improved by using CCFs. The particle size distribution in combination with cement and admixtures can be optimized, resulting in increased green strength, better pumping ability and less bleeding, for example. For self-compacting concretes, CCFs have proven to be the most reliable and practical industrially produced stabilizer.
CCFs accelerate the hydration of the cement matrix, resulting in higher early strength figures. Durability is improved by better permeability. The light and stable color makes the product more aesthetic, rendering it ideal for architectural applications.
The ConCarb product line meets the ASTM Standard Specification for Ground Calcium Carbonate and Aggregate Mineral Fillers for use in Hydraulic Cement Concrete. (ASTM C1797-16)
