When lane closure windows are tight, patch materials have to reach opening strength quickly and finish cleanly in the field. Calcium Aluminate Latex (CAL) mortar was developed by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority specifically for overnight mainline patching, with a performance history of thousands of yards placed throughout the Illinois Tollway system.
CAL is designed to be finisher-friendly, gain strength rapidly, and support long-life pavement repairs in high-traffic environments.
Calcium Aluminate Latex (CAL) is a rapid-setting, high-performance mortar system based on calcium aluminate cement with latex polymer modification. The latex component is commonly used to improve bond, reduce permeability, and add flexibility, while calcium aluminate cement is known for rapid strength gain and strong performance in demanding repair conditions.
Research on calcium aluminate cement-based rapid repair mixtures for the Illinois Tollway has evaluated both traditional CAC mixes and latex-modified calcium aluminate mixtures (LCAC).
Government transportation departments are often balancing safety, traffic control cost, and public impact. CAL mortar supports those priorities by helping crews complete repairs within short closure windows.
The Illinois Department of Transportation District 1 has placed CAL patches on the Kennedy Expressway while considering it as an alternative to PP-5 .
CAL has also been associated with work that earned an ACEC-IL Engineering Excellence Awards Special Achievement recognition for the Deerfield Parkway Pavement Preservation (IL 83 to US 45 / IL 21) project, with Lake County Division of Transportation listed as the client/owner on the award page.
CAL is a strong option when you need rapid opening strength and a reliable bond to existing concrete.
Common applications
For private work such as parking structures, CAL can accept an epoxy overlay within 72 hours of placement (per client-provided performance detail.
Latex-modified cementitious repair systems are commonly selected when bond, permeability, and durability matter as much as early strength. The latex polymer forms a film within the cement matrix that can improve adhesion and help reduce water and chemical ingress, which is useful in freeze-thaw exposure and deicing salt conditions.
Calcium aluminate–based systems are commonly selected for cold-weather repair work because they develop strength reliably at lower temperatures compared to traditional Portland cement mixes. CAL is suited for repairs where ambient temperatures and short cure windows make conventional materials difficult to use.
CAL bonds to sound existing concrete when proper surface preparation is followed. Latex modification improves adhesion, which is critical for partial-depth and full-depth pavement repairs.
Yes. CAL is appropriate for partial-depth pavement repairs where rapid strength gain and strong bond to existing concrete are required to reopen traffic quickly.
CAL does not rely on extended moist curing like conventional concrete. Standard curing practices for rapid-set repair materials should be followed per project specifications and environmental conditions.
Calcium aluminate cement systems are widely recognized for their resistance to freeze-thaw cycling and chemical exposure. Latex modification further reduces permeability, helping limit damage from moisture and deicing salts in roadway environments.
Overnight repair windows leave little room for uncertainty. Selecting the right material can help reduce lane closure durations, limit traffic disruption, and support long-term pavement performance. Calcium Aluminate Latex (CAL) mortar was developed with these constraints in mind, offering a practical solution for time-sensitive concrete repairs in high-traffic environments.
Talk with our team about CAL mortar availability, project fit, and submittal support for agency work.
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