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ON THIS EPISODE OF THE CONCRETE LOGIC PODCAST
What if the product you bought as colloidal silica is actually a cheap silicate?

Seth is joined by Dr. Jon Belkowitz of Intelligent Concrete to explain why these similarly named materials are not the same.

Jon argues that pH is one of the quickest ways to distinguish colloidal silica from a silicate, and that the difference can affect performance, handling, specifications, and cost.

The bigger concern is what happens when a product is sold as colloidal silica but is actually a much less expensive silicate. Jon says buyers should verify the chemistry instead of relying only on labels or sales claims.

The conversation also connects colloidal silica to current durability concerns in concrete and asks a practical question: Are you actually getting the material you think you are buying?

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
• The basic difference between a silicate and colloidal silica
• Why Jon compares the difference between silicate and silica to the difference between cement and concrete
• How sodium, potassium, and lithium silicates differ
• Why pH can be an important first check when evaluating a product sold as colloidal silica
• Why higher-pH silicates can require different handling and shipping considerations
• Why the cost difference between silicates and colloidal silica matters when evaluating a product
• Why Jon believes some products are being represented inaccurately in the marketplace
• What DOTs, contractors, and owners should verify instead of relying only on product descriptions
• Why Jon connects the renewed interest in colloidal silica to durability concerns with some lower-carbon concrete systems
• How colloidal silica may be used as one tool for improving concrete performance
• Why a certificate of analysis or independent testing can help confirm what material was actually supplied

CHAPTERS
(00:00) Introduction and support for the show
(02:13) A quick detour into Leon Foucault and science
(02:50) Concrete Logic Academy and today’s topic
(03:18) Silica versus silicates
(04:59) Using pH to tell the difference
(05:59) When does the difference matter in concrete?
(07:48) The cost gap between silicates and colloidal silica
(09:55) Product labeling, SDS information, and accountability
(10:26) Why DOTs specify silica
(12:49) What customers expect colloidal silica to do
(16:50) Colloidal silica and lower-carbon concrete
(18:00) How to verify what you are buying

GUEST INFO
Dr. Jon Belkowitz
Intelligent Concrete
Guest link:
https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/guests/dr-jon-belkowitz/

CONCRETE LOGIC ACADEMY
The people who understand concrete are the people who get listened to.
Not the loudest person in the meeting.
Not the person repeating what they heard ten years ago.
The person who understands why the chemistry matters usually has the most valuable voice in the room.
That is what Concrete Logic Academy is built for.
You get practical concrete education, professional-development courses, and real-world lessons connected to the topics covered on the Concrete Logic Podcast.
Start learning here: https://concreteschool.co

SUPPORT THE PODCAST
If the Concrete Logic Podcast gives you value, send a little value back.

You can support the show here:
https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/support/

You can also support the show through the KUIU affiliate link:
https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/kuiu

Interested in sponsoring the podcast or working with Concrete Logic Media?
Email Seth: seth@concretelogicpodcast.com

CREDITS
Producers: Jodi Tandett and Concrete Logic Media

Music by: Mike Dunton
https://www.instagram.com/mduntonmusic/

WHERE TO FIND SETH
Concrete Logic Podcast:
https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcast
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-tandett/
Concrete Logic Academy:
https://www.concretelogicacademy.com/

Until next time, let’s keep it concrete.