**A Simple, Plain-Language Explanation of Advanced Nano Silica Technology**

If you’ve heard of E5^® but aren’t entirely sure how it works inside the concrete, you’re not alone. Contractors, engineers, and owners often know the keywords—“nano silica,” “internal curing,” “densification”—but the actual mechanism can feel abstract.

This guide breaks it down in clear, practical terms so you can understand why E5^® is changing the way concrete is cured and how it helps create stronger, more durable, more predictable slabs.

No hype. No technical jargon. Just the science.

Step 1: Start With Nano Silica Designed Specifically for Concrete

At the heart of the E5^® Nano Silica system is colloidal silica—extremely fine, highly reactive silica particles suspended in water. These particles are engineered with:

• Controlled particle size

• High surface area

• Uniform dispersion

• Concrete-specific chemistry

Because they’re so small and so evenly distributed, they can:

• Improve pumpability and finishability

• Fill small voids between cement grains

• Reduce micro-air pockets

• Increase the density of the hardened paste

Dense concrete matters. A denser microstructure reduces permeability, increases abrasion resistance, and supports longer service life. Nano silica lays the foundation for this.

Step 2: Understand Internal Curing — The Core Concept

Traditional curing focuses on the surface:

• Spraying water

• Fogging

• Wet burlap

• Curing compounds

Those methods are helpful, but they address only the top fraction of an inch. Modern low water-to-cement ratio mixes often dry out internally, long before external water can help.

ACI defines internal curing as supplying water from inside the concrete using internal reservoirs that release moisture when the cement needs it. Historically, this meant pre-wetted lightweight aggregate.

The goal is simple:

Keep enough water inside the concrete so hydration can continue properly throughout the slab—not just at the surface.

Internal curing improves:

• Hydration efficiency

• Strength development

• Dimensional stability

• Long-term durability

E5^® takes this well-established concept—and replaces heavyweight aggregate logistics with nano-scale precision.

Step 3: E5^® Internal Cure = Millions of Built-In Water Anchors

E5^® Internal Cure uses nano silica particles to hold water inside the concrete during early hydration. In effect, each particle acts as a tiny “anchor” that retains water that would otherwise evaporate.

Here’s the simple version:

1. Nano silica grabs onto water molecules in the mix.

2. That water becomes part of an internal reservoir—not surface bleed water.

3. As the cement hydrates and demands more moisture, that internal reservoir releases water exactly where hydration occurs.

The E5^® chemistry controls both:

• Water of transport (the excess water needed for placement)

• Water of convenience (the water needed for hydration)

Because this moisture remains within the matrix, E5^® replaces the need for wet curing and curing compounds entirely.

The result is a more complete, more controlled hydration process.

Step 4: Densifying the Concrete From the Inside Out

While managing internal moisture, nano silica also performs a second critical function: particle packing and densification.

The particles:

• Fill micro-voids and capillaries

• Reduce bleed channels

• Support a more uniform paste structure

• Contribute to lower permeability

A tighter microstructure leads to:

• Improved water and chloride resistance

• Greater freeze–thaw durability

• Better protection of reinforcing steel

• Longer-lasting slabs with fewer repairs

Independent testing shows that combining E5^® Internal Cure with E5^® Liquid Fly Ash reduces water penetration by up to 79%—a clear indicator of lower permeability and improved durability.

Step 5: What You See in the Field

Even though E5^® works at the micro level, the benefits are very visible on the jobsite.

In Fresh Concrete:

• More workable mix

• Easier pumping and placing

• Better finishing window

• No need for additional surface water

• Less sensitive to sun, wind, or low humidity

Field reports and third-party testing show improved slump and finishability with no added air content and set times within ASTM C494 limits.

In Hardened Concrete:

• Higher density and surface hardness

• Reduced shrinkage and curling

• Lower permeability

• Less moisture-related flooring or roofing risk

• Increased abrasion resistance

You’re improving the entire depth of the slab—not just the surface.

Step 6: How E5^® Fits Into a Complete System

E5^® Internal Cure is the backbone, but it’s part of a broader nano silica family designed to simplify curing, improve durability, and reduce long-term moisture risk:

E5^® Internal Cure

Internal curing + densification + moisture control.

E5^® Liquid Fly Ash

A nano silica pozzolanic suspension that can replace up to 15% of cement or other SCMs while enhancing durability and salt resistance.

E5^® Catalyst

A finishing-stage topical that reacts with the nano silica already inside the slab to create a tight, protective near-surface layer—especially useful under adhesives and membranes.

Together, these products help reduce:

• Wet curing

• Curing compounds

• Densifiers

• Sealers

• Stand-alone moisture mitigation systems

They also support shorter schedules by reducing steps, materials, and field operations—without compromising durability.

Quick FAQs: E5^® in Plain Language

Is E5^® a sealer or hardener?

No. E5^® Internal Cure is an integral admixture added at batching. It works inside the concrete, not on top.

Does it replace wet curing?

Yes. E5^® Internal Cure is specifically designed to eliminate wet curing and curing compounds while retaining moisture needed for hydration.

Where can I use it?

Anywhere concrete is used:

• Pavements & parking decks

• Slabs on grade

• Slabs on metal deck

• Structural elements

• Civil infrastructure

• Industrial, commercial, and residential projects

Is it compatible with modern low w/c mixes?

It was designed specifically for them.

The Bottom Line

E5^® works by combining two powerful mechanisms:

1. Internal Curing

Nano silica retains and manages water inside the concrete so hydration continues efficiently—without external curing.

2. Nano Silica Densification

Ultra-fine particles fill voids and capillaries, creating a denser, more durable concrete matrix.

Together, these effects reduce shrinkage, curling, and permeability while improving strength, finishability, and long-term durability. The process makes concrete easier to place on day one and significantly more robust for decades.

E5^® isn’t a coating or a shortcut—it’s a fundamental shift in how concrete is cured and protected.

Next Step for Concrete Professionals

Download the E5^® Analysis Guide

Get a deeper, data-driven look at:

• Hydration efficiency

• Shrinkage reduction

• Permeability and chloride resistance

• Abrasion performance

• Adhesion and moisture testing under flooring systems

• Comparisons between internal curing and traditional wet curing

Share it with your engineering team or ready-mix supplier to evaluate how E5^® Nano Silica can support your next project with more durable, predictable, and long-lasting concrete.