June 28, 2022

Admixtures Blog

Admixtures, particularly water-reducing admixtures, can offer you substantial benefits in flooring concrete by reducing the free-water content whilst maintaining necessary workability for fast placement and compaction. This process reduces drying shrinkage in the concrete and in turn, reduces the potential of cracking and curling in the slab. Other types of admixtures can further reduce shrinkage and speed of the setting to allow earlier finishing or can aid in the finish.

As with all admixture applications, careful selection of admixture type and grade is essential to obtaining a satisfactory finish and result. Prior to commencing any flooring project, ensure you read packaging and data sheets carefully to ensure the surface has been prepared satisfactorily and the correct application procedure will be followed.

• Improve workability
• Reduce water demand
• Help prevent efflorescence
• Help prevent cracking
• Increase bond strength and durability

For more information on our admixture range, see our Admixture brochure

What are Admixtures?

Admixtures are specially formulated products that are added in small amounts to concrete, mortar or grout during the mixing process in order to modify the concrete properties in the plastic and / or hardened state. They are usually water based solutions and can be added to the concrete at up to 5% on cement weight, although most types are added at less than 1.5%.

Within these Standards admixtures are categorised further into:

• Water Reducing/Plasticising
• High range water reducing/superplasticising
• Water retaining
• Air Entraining
• Set Accelerating (+ non- alkaline set-accelerating)
• Hardening Accelerating
• Water Resisting
• Set Retarding
• Viscosity Modifying (+ consistence controlling)
• Bond Improving
• ban 300

Use of admixture in concrete and mortar:

• Improves strength and reduces porosity thus increasing the durable life of the concrete
• Reduces damage from harsh environments: including marine, freeze-thaw and sub-zero situations
• Improves quality: better finish and reduced service life repair
• Reduces embodied carbon dioxide and energy by enhancing the effectiveness of the cement component
• Reduces noise and energy requirements during placing through increased fluidity (e.g. Self-Compacting Concrete SCC)
• Preserves natural resources: water and primary aggregates
• Delivers cost-benefits to the producer and the user.
• We have Admixtures for all your needs be it in Concrete, Mortar or some specialised cementitious application. Visit us at www.mconrasayan.com for all our services offered.