Do you work in the manufacture of concrete artifacts, have you ever considered using waterproofing admixture for concrete to further qualify and differentiate the service provided by your company?
Population growth and urbanization are definitely two global megatrends. As a result, buildings must be built, especially in large cities. A key factor for the durability of structures of this type is effective and reliable waterproofing, to prevent corrosion of steel armatures as a result of water penetration.
We know that water is essential for the production, placement and Concrete curing. But once it fulfills its role in these processes, it can pose risks to concrete.
Depending on its function and the nature of its exposure, concrete can obviously work well in humid environments. However, because it is a naturally porous material and subject to cracks, concrete is vulnerable to water infiltration. The results of this can be serious damage and deterioration of the concrete and the artifacts produced with the material.
Given this, various products and systems are available to help protect concrete structures against water damage, from coatings to sealants, membranes, and more.
One method that can simplify the protection process is to make concrete with additives that reduce its permeability.
Read on and discover more about waterproofing admixture for concrete, types, operation, and how to choose the right product for your projects.
What are concrete additives?
The use of additives for concrete it's quite old. In fact, there are reports that Romans and Incas included egg whites, milk, and other additives to enhance the workability of mixes.
Succinctly, additives Are products added to concrete aimed at altering certain properties, improving its workability and adding new benefits to the performance of this material.
In accordance with ABNT NBR 1768, additive is that product included during the concrete preparation procedure for the purpose of modifying its properties.
In addition, additive concrete has greater durability and resistance and may favor the reduction of permeability, of the retraction and of water absorption.
There are several types of additives, with different objectives. Among them is the waterproofing additive for concrete.
What is the waterproofing additive for concrete for and how does it work?
Concrete is porous and, if not waterproofed, can absorb water, water contaminants, and chemicals that can cause deterioration. Thus, to protect artifacts and elements made from concrete, while maintaining a long lifespan, waterproofing it is essential, since it reduces the possibility of damage caused by humidity, favoring an increase in the durability and safety of buildings.
In fact the wetness it is one of the biggest problems in these projects, because water has a high capacity to penetrate surfaces. And, once installed, infiltration can lead to a wide range of damage - such as mold, fungus, peeling of plastering and painting, in addition to aggravated structural problems.
To help combat these problems, there are solutions such as the waterproofing additive for concrete, which helps to increase surface protection, forming a safe layer against the passage of water and, thus, reducing the chances of damage to the building.
Many people often view concrete as a massive, monolithic substance, but this is not accurate. Concrete contains numerous microscopically small air pores that develop a capillary effect and allow water to penetrate the material.
With this, the waterproofing additive for concrete guarantees high strength and good processing properties. The result is high-quality waterproofing for various types of concrete such as precast, high-performance concrete, prestressed concrete, mortars, grautes, and others.
What are the types of waterproofing admixture for concrete?
Nowadays, there are several types of waterproofing additives for concrete on the market. However, the ideal choice varies based on criteria such as the type of surface to be protected and the more specific building and project needs.
Among the main types of additives that can aid in waterproofing concrete are:
Waterproofing additive for concrete by hydrophobition
This product acts by hydrofuging the capillary system, allowing the materials to “breathe”, filling the voids in the pores and thus preventing water from penetrating the concrete.
This type of waterproofing additive for concrete is widely used for slabs, plasters, subfloors, wet areas, floors and other artifacts.
Plasticizing or water reducing additive
A group of additives that, without altering the consistency of fresh concrete, make it possible to reduce the water content or that, without modifying the amount of water, alter the consistency of the concrete, increasing abatement or fluidity or, even, can produce both effects simultaneously. All this without loss of workability in the concrete mix and incorporating greater waterproofness.
Os plasticizing additives they add plasticity and practicality and, in the case of services involving cement-based mortars (hydraulic curing), they even dispense with the use of hydrated lime.
Also within this group are polyfunctional/multifunctional additives, which allow higher dosages than traditional plasticizers and, thus, can provide better workability and/or water reduction.
Superplasticizing additives
Also within the class of water reducers, there are additives superplasticizers. These can significantly decrease the volume of water in the mixture. Today we see this type of additive being increasingly incorporated into large projects, but its use is gradually becoming popular for other projects.
Among the superplasticizers, we find two types:
- Type I: of lower power, with a reduction of water in the mixture reaching between 12% and 20%;
- Type II: used in more traditional projects and also in prefabricated and precast structures. It allows for more fluidity of the mixture, which allows a better settlement in the forms, avoiding bubbles and fissures. There are additives of this type that provide a reduction of up to 40% of the proportion of water. Within this category, there are hyperplasticizers, described in NBR 11768 as high water reducing additives/type II superplasticizer.
How to choose your supplier of waterproofing admixture for concrete?
Efficiency is the key to business success in the construction industry and selecting the right concrete waterproofing additive for your job is paramount to this. The manufacturers of these products have developed increasingly qualified solutions focused on real market needs, ensuring that companies, such as those that manufacture concrete artifacts, have the right technology to protect their clients' structures and the reputation of their business.
From this, new and improved types and brands of additives have emerged. With the variety, it is also important to pay attention to make the best choice. This involves criteria such as opting for tested and approved products, manufactured from raw materials from renewable sources and that offer excellent finish.
Also, give preference to those that have seals of compliance with ABNT standards and other distinctive elements of their proven quality.
In addition, another important criterion is that the supplier provides adequate support, offering content and channels so that you can answer your questions and extract the maximum benefits from the waterproofing additive for concrete.
Finally, remember that price is important, but so is value. When using lower quality products, taking as a criterion only the price, the value of your service and your company may suffer losses in front of your customer and your company may still have to bear high costs to repair damage to customers' artifacts and properties due to a poor choice of product.
Blok's concrete waterproofing additive solutions
A Blok It has the best products for waterproofing, from resins waterproofing agents and sealants to waterproofing additive for concrete.
What's more: Blok offers a complete line of superplasticizers for concrete, mortars and Grautes, recognized for guaranteeing durability and performance to the final product.
Among the superplasticizers, BlokGraute Pro+ It is classified as type II and is capable of reducing water by around 40%.
So, we answered your main questions about the types of waterproofing additives for concrete and how do they work? Leave your message in the comments.
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