With the expansion of the construction industry since last few decades, basic advice regarding durability of concrete in the presence of aggressive environment like carbonation, Alkali silica reaction, Moisture etc resulting in corrosion of reinforcement and deteriorating the quality of concrete, often went unheeded. Today the experts from the field of concrete have advanced on durability, repair, and protection of Concrete structures and have developed durable, materials and techniques.
Concrete does not always behave as we would like; some of the undesirable behaviours can be seen as disintegration, spalling, cracking, leakage, deflection and settlement. Over decades, attempts have been made to obtain concrete with certain desired characteristics such as high compressive strength, high workability, and high performance and durability parameters to meet the requirement of complexity of modern structures.
Admixtures play an important role in today’s Concreting. These are those ingredients in concrete other than Portland cement, water, and aggregates that are added to the mixture immediately before or during mixing.
The properties commonly modified are the heat of hydration, accelerate or retard setting time, workability, water reduction, dispersion and air-entrainment, impermeability and durability factors.
Concrete Deterioration
Most concrete deterioration can be attributed to water penetration. Since concrete absorbs moisture until it becomes saturated. Moisture hastens deterioration not only because it promotes chemical reactions but also because it carries dissolved chemicals that can react with the steel, lime and other components in concrete. It also plays a major role in concrete deterioration. As a result of water entering concrete results in Spalling of concrete.
Bipolar Corrosion inhibitors are used in concrete in marine structures, bridges, building structures, where corrosive salts are present. The chlorides can cause corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete. Ferrous oxide and ferric oxide form on the surface of reinforcing steel in concrete. Ferrous oxide, though stable in concrete’s alkaline environment, reacts with chlorides to form complexes that move away from the steel to form rust. The chloride ions continue to attack the steel until the passivating oxide layer is destroyed. Corrosion-inhibiting admixtures chemically arrest the corrosion reaction.
What factors to consider when choosing chemistry for concrete?
The main factors determining the choice of chemistry for concrete are the economic aspect, i.e. the cost of modifications with the use of an admixture, and technological aspect, i.e. the evaluation of the ease of use and the additive effect on the process conditions. A multitude of factors affecting the effectiveness of admixtures causes a lot of confusion. It is therefore important to focus on the most important factors, such as:
- properties and chemical composition of admixture,
- presence, type and properties of other admixtures or additives for concrete,
- the size of the application and the moment of addition of the admixture in relation to the moment of mixing the cement with water,
- mixing time and temperature of concrete mass,
- compatibility of cement with admixture.
Admixtures and additives for concrete are currently the fastest growing product group in construction chemicals. Thanks to the research and development of these substances, concrete is becoming a modern multifunctional material. Its modified properties enable the implementation of many interesting projects of building constructions, which until now remained only in the imagination of architects.
So, Makphalt has come up with the best ready mix waterproofing concrete admixture that will help your pouring process driving down cost while increasing productivity
INSTA MIX by MAKPHALT
INSTA MIX is a ready to use aqueous solution of highly purified Lignosulphonate and a catalyst which promotes a more rapid and complete hydration of cement. This action helps in making the concrete/ mortar more dense thereby reducing porosity and generating waterproofing properties.
To know more, get in touch with the expert today.
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