METHOD AND AGENT FOR TREATING CALCIUM-CONTAINING INORGANIC MATERIAL

摘要

A treatment agent and a method of treating a calcium-containing inorganic material using said treating agent, the method and the agent being capable of increasing the weather resistance and strength of the calcium-containing inorganic material and coloring the calcium-containing inorganic material in a manner easy to apply and resistant to weather damage. The treatment agent is a mixture basically comprising a water-soluble silicate compound represented by M2O.nSiO2 and either one of or both an organic acid and a salt of an organic acid. The organic acid may preferably be such a polycarboxylic acid having two or more carboxyl groups that its pH changes in a range of approximately +/-1.0 when mixed with an alkaline aqueous solution. A salt of an organic acid is also applicable. In cases where the surface of the inorganic material is contaminated by oil, a fluorine-type surface active agent is added. In cases where the inorganic material is to be colored, a pigment is added. When the treatment agent is applied or sprayed onto the inorganic material, the organic acid permits the agent to permeate so that the water-soluble silicate compound reacts with calcium hydroxide in the inorganic material, thereby producing calcium silicate, which is water resistant. In cases where a pigment has been added, the pigment is affixed to the calcium silicate.