STRONTIUM BASED SOLUTIONS AND PROCESSES FOR SURFACE HARDENING OF CONCRETE AND OTHER CEMENTEOUS MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES MADE THEREBY

1 . A method for increasing the hardness of a concrete surface and other cementeous materials, comprising:

preparing a concrete or cement mixture;

arranging the mixture into a desired configuration to form a construction;

applying a hardening agent to the surface, wherein the hardening agent comprises at least one of: strontium nitrate, other strontium based solutions and blends thereof such as strontium chloride, strontium acetate, strontium bromide solutions and strontium based solids such as strontium carbonate, strontium hydroxide and strontium oxide, and blends of strontium based solutions or solids with non-strontium based hardeners including silicate, nitrate, acetate, chloride and bromide based solutions;

allowing the treated concrete surface to dry.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the hardening agent is enhanced with at least one of:

ionic surfactants;

non-ionic surfactants;

silanes;

siliconates;

siloxanes;

other silicon-based additives; and

combinations thereof.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the construction comprises at least one of:

floors;

interior walls;

exterior walls;

columns;

beams;

structural members;

pavers;

conduits; and

tanks.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of curing the construction.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the construction is cured from one to thirty days.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of applying at least one of the following additives:

ionic surfactants;

non-ionic surfactants;

silanes;

siliconates;

siloxanes;

other silicon-based additives; and

combinations thereof one of before and after the application of the hardening agent, and/or mixed with the hardening agent applied to the concrete.

7 . A process for introducing a hardening agent to a concrete surface and other cementeous materials, comprising at least one of:

adding the hardening agent to the concrete mixture before pouring the cement mixture into a desired configuration to form a construction; and

applying the hardening agent to the surface one of before and after curing,

wherein the hardening agent comprises strontium.

8 . The process of claim 7 , wherein a hardening agent comprises at least one of the following forms:

liquid; and

powder.

9 . The process of claim 7 , wherein a hardening agent is applied to a surface of the construction by at least one of:

mixing;

spraying;

rolling;

brushing; and

mopping.

10 . The process of claim 7 , wherein a hardening agent is reapplied as necessary.

11 . A process for introducing an additive to a concrete surface and other cementeous materials, comprising at least one of:

adding the additive and hardening agent to the concrete mixture before pouring the cement mixture into a desired configuration to form a construction;

applying the additive to the concrete mixture before applying a hardening agent to the concrete mixture; and

applying the additive to the concrete mixture after applying a hardening agent to the concrete mixture,

wherein the hardening agent comprises strontium.

12 . The process of claim 11 , wherein an additive comprises at least one of the following forms:

liquid; and

powder.

13 . The process of claim 11 , wherein an additive is applied to a surface of the construction by at least one of:

mixing;

spraying;

rolling;

brushing; and

mopping.

14 . The process of claim 11 , wherein an additive is reapplied as necessary.

15 . A construction formed by the method of claim 1 .

16 . A construction formed by the method of claim 7 .

17 . A construction formed by the method of claim 11 .