Concrete Surface Profile (CSP) refers to the texture or roughness of a concrete surface. It is an important measure in the preparation of concrete surfaces for the application of coatings, sealants, or overlays. CSP is typically measured on a scale from CSP 1 (nearly smooth) to CSP 10 (very rough), with the profile increasing as the surface roughness increases.
Proper CSP ensures good adhesion of coatings or overlays to the concrete surface. The right texture helps in the performance and longevity of the applied materials. Proper surface preparation reduces the risk of coating failure, such as peeling or delamination.
Before you begin a surface prep job you need to fully understand the specifications of that job. Discuss the intended end use of the floor, the planned overlayment, and your recommendations for the CSP required to meet those expectations. The International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) has created a technical guideline #03732 “Selecting and specifying concrete surface preparation for sealers, coatings, and polymer overlays.
This guideline provides concrete surface profiles of CSP 3 to 9 which are used under the following conditions.
- CSP 3: for coating applications from 4-5 mils thick – a light shotblast.
- CSP 4 or 5: for coating applications from 15-50 mils thick – a medium shotblast
- CSP 5 or 6: for coating applications 40 mils to 1/8” – a medium-heavy shotblast.
- CSP 6 or 7: For topping applications ¼” to ½” thick – a heavy shotblast.
- CSP 8 or 9: For concrete overlays greater than ½” thick – an extreme shotblast.
For questions about the using the right machine and tooling to achieve a specific CSP, contact your NFE sales team today.