The terms hydrophobic and hydrophilic may not mean anything to the average person. But, to a contractor, these terms can mean a world of difference. Hydro means water while phobic means “to fear” and philic means “to love”. Alchatek offers both hydrophobic and hydrophilic polyurethanes, so it is important to be aware of the differences between the two types.
Check out these hydrophobic polyurethanes:
Hydrophilic polyurethanes naturally mix with water before curing (similar to the way gin and tonic mix thoroughly in a glass). This characteristic allows for a very strong chemical and mechanical bond, as water helps pull the material into the pores of the concrete. These products do not require a catalyst. You can pump them straight out of the pail.
Check out these hydrophilic polyurethanes:
Don't get caught in the trap of oversimplifying hydrophilic vs. hydrophobic. There are varying degrees of each (see chart below for more information on how this is measured).
Some hydrophilic materials will keep absorbing water (10-15 times their original volume). Others (such as Spetec PUR GT500) only absorb as much water as is necessary for their reaction and then they reject the rest. Yes, hydrophilic gels will shrink like crazy in the absence of water, but Spetec PUR GT500 won't. It is completely safe to use in a dry environment.