A car park deck or stadium that sees heavy vehicle traffic demands a waterproofing solution that won't fail. Selecting an inadequate membrane can lead to seven-figure remediation costs and significant operational disruption. SILCOR 580 provides robust, long-life protection precisely for these high-stress environments. It ensures concrete decks remain waterproof, even under constant load and movement, preventing costly failures before they start.

Why this product exists

SILCOR 580 is a premium-grade, tough, two-part elastomeric polyurethane membrane engineered for demanding, long-life waterproofing. It forms a seamless, fully bonded barrier capable of withstanding heavy foot traffic and light vehicle traffic when used as part of a complete system. This formulation accommodates typical structural movements and bridges non-structural concrete shrinkage cracks, ensuring long-term integrity in critical applications.

The numbers that matter

  • >7 MPa Tensile Strength and >700% Elongation: This high elasticity and strength enable the membrane to bridge non-structural cracks and accommodate typical structural movements, maintaining an unbroken waterproof layer even as the substrate settles or flexes.
  • 80 Shore A Hardness: This high hardness rating provides exceptional resistance to abrasion and impact, making it suitable for areas exposed to heavy foot traffic and light vehicle loads when part of a system with an appropriate wear coat and top coat.
  • <35 g/L VOC (Very Low): Minimises environmental, health, and safety concerns on site, making it a responsible choice for projects with strict air quality requirements.
  • Chemical Cure: Unlike moisture-cured systems that can be affected by low humidity, the two-part chemical reaction ensures a fast and reliable through-cure, providing quicker project turnaround and dependable performance regardless of ambient moisture levels.

What it's like to use

SILCOR 580 is a two-part system requiring precise mixing. The Polyol and Iso components must be weighed out and thoroughly mixed with a power drill and paddle for 3-5 minutes, then transferred to a second container for a final remix. This ensures a homogeneous blend. The mixed membrane has a pot life of 30 minutes at 23°C/60% RH, allowing time for application by notched trowel, squeegee, or roller. It is semi-self-levelling, ideal for horizontal surfaces set to falls, but will run on vertical or ramped applications. All substrates require priming with a suitable GCP primer such as SILCOR Primer BS for dry conditions or Epocote F100W for damp or green concrete.

  • Surface Preparation: Substrates must be clean, dry, and structurally sound. For concrete, ensure a minimum 20 MPa compressive strength and a surface pull-off strength of 1.5 MPa for light vehicle traffic areas.
  • Detailing: Use SILCOR LM PU Sealant for bond breaker fillets at internal corners and around penetrations, allowing 12 hours for cure.
  • Cure Time: The membrane is tack-free in 4 hours and ready for flood testing, topping, or backfilling in 15 hours at 23°C/60% RH, enabling faster project progression.
  • Clean-up: Clean application equipment immediately with xylene solvent. Cured product requires mechanical removal.

Where this product excels

  • Car Park Decks and Stadiums: Provides a robust, trafficable waterproof layer capable of withstanding constant heavy loads and vehicle movement when used with an appropriate wear coat and top coat.
  • Balconies, Roof Decks, and Podiums: Creates a long-lasting, exposed waterproofing solution for foot traffic areas when overcoated with SILCOR Top Coat 75.
  • Plant Room Floors and Laboratories: Forms an impact-resistant, resilient flooring system when overcoated, protecting concrete from spills and heavy equipment in industrial or commercial settings.
  • Internal Wet Areas: Delivers compliant internal wet area waterproofing for floors under or over screeds, providing a fully bonded, seamless barrier against moisture migration.

How it fits in a real system

SILCOR 580 serves as the primary membrane layer in high-performance waterproofing systems, particularly for car parks and high-traffic areas. The process typically begins with a suitable primer, such as SILCOR Primer BS for dry substrates or Epocote F100W for damp concrete, to ensure optimal adhesion. Once primed, SILCOR 580 is applied as the main waterproof barrier. For areas expecting heavy foot or light vehicle traffic, SILCOR 580 itself is often used as a wear coat, broadcast to refusal with F8 sand, followed by an appropriate trafficable top coat system. This layered approach ensures both waterproofing integrity and surface durability against constant use.

Choose this when

  • When the project demands heavy-duty, long-life waterproofing for high-traffic areas like car park decks or stadiums.
  • When compliance with AS 4654.1 (external) or AS/NZS 4858 (internal wet areas) Class III is mandatory.
  • When you need a membrane with superior physical properties, including high tensile strength, elongation, and hardness, to bridge cracks and resist abrasion.
  • When a fast chemical cure is required to ensure project timelines are met, even in low humidity conditions.

Don't use this when

  • Not for: Negative pressure membrane applications, where water pressure is pushing the membrane off the substrate.
  • Not for: Application to damp, wet, contaminated, or unprepared substrates; ensure proper substrate preparation and priming.
  • Not for: Internal lining of water tanks, due to its semi-self-levelling properties which may not suit tank geometry.
  • Not for: Application during rain or when ambient humidity is above 85%, which can compromise cure and performance.

SILCOR 580 is certified Class III to AS 4654.1-2012 for external non-exposed waterproofing and AS/NZS 4858-2004 for internal wet area waterproofing. This compliance provides assurance that the membrane meets stringent Australian standards for high extensibility, offering reliable performance and peace of mind on critical projects.

Choosing between SILCOR 580 and SILCOR 560 HB Low VOC

Unlike SILCOR 560 HB Low VOC, which is a one-part membrane typically suited for non-exposed, non-trafficable internal wet areas, SILCOR 580 is a premium, two-part system engineered for demanding, long-life waterproofing in high-traffic environments. SILCOR 580's chemical cure ensures rapid through-cure and delivers significantly higher physical properties, including >7 MPa tensile strength, >700% elongation, and 80 Shore A hardness. This makes SILCOR 580 the definitive choice for heavy foot and light vehicle traffic when part of a complete system, where SILCOR 560 HB Low VOC would be unsuitable.