What Additives To Concrete Are Used For Floor Screed

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

What are concrete additives?
Classification of additives by chemical composition
Benefits of different types of supplements
Manufacturer overview and average cost of supplements

The range of concrete mixes offered on the modern construction market is filled not only with a variety of concrete plasticizers, but also with various accompanying additives to it. Due to the fact that the construction time is often compressed, and the construction of the foundation requires special strength, special additives are used for concrete, which can speed up the solidification of the material or carry out work in the winter.

What are concrete additives?

By adding special plasticizers to concrete, the strength and plasticity of the material increases, in addition, each additive has its own specific properties that make it indispensable under different construction conditions. Correctly selected concrete admixture allows to achieve maximum effect. In the modern classification, concrete additives are distinguished as follows:

modifiers - designed to increase the strength and stability of concrete, extend its service life, and also make it mobile, which facilitates construction;

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plasticizers are one of the most popular types of additives that reduce the consumption of the mixture, while endowing the finished concrete with water resistance and the absence of delamination;
mobility regulators - are used in order to ensure plasticity of concrete, for example, in extreme heat;
antifreeze additives - when using such an additive at subzero temperatures, the water has time to grab with the cement, before it freezes;
additives to accelerate hardening - in the process of hardening, they penetrate into the smallest pores of the material, thereby increasing the reliability of the finished concrete;
additives for self-compacting concrete mixtures - used for pouring thin structures.

There are also special pigment additives for concrete that paint it in the desired color. It would seem, why does concrete need color, because the coating will still be covered with finishing. However, such pigments are used for concrete mixes, from which paving slabs or self-leveling floors are produced. These additives contain substances that are resistant to sunlight and alkalis.

Classification of additives by chemical composition

Depending on the presence of a particular chemical in the additive, it can be used for different conditions. Supplements are divided according to the principle of action of the main effect, which can:

reduce the separation of liquid from solution;
stabilize the material, preventing it from delaminating;
increase the plasticity and mobility of the mixture;
add the function of waterproofing the concrete mix - additives are good for basements;
slow down the process of concrete hardening;
accelerate the solidification of the mass;
smooth out deformations on the surface;
allow work to be carried out in subzero temperatures;
increase the porosity of the finished concrete;
increase resistance to corrosion, hostile environment.

In addition, concrete additives are offered for sale on the building materials market, which contain a whole complex of substances that have different effects on concrete. Such additives are used when you need to achieve several effects at once.

Benefits of different types of supplements

The mechanism of action and the effect of the use of this or that type of supplement is different, therefore each of them has its own advantages:

Additives - plasticizers. Such masses have several degrees of impact: weak, medium, strong and superplasticization. Each of them is used depending on the requirements for the ready-mixed concrete. The plasticizer saves the consumption of concrete, increases its density and resistance to frost, prevents cracks, and makes the mixture more mobile. In connection with such an abundance of pluses, there is one minus - the duration of the solidification of the mass. For this, experts recommend additionally using concrete hardening accelerators.
Concrete modifiers. These additives significantly increase the service life of ready-made concrete, increase the strength of the structure and ensure its moisture resistance.
Antifreeze additives. The action is based on the principle of lowering the pour point of the liquid, while the concrete hardens at low degrees. The temperature for work varies from -15 to -25 degrees, which allows concrete to be poured even in cold weather.
Setting accelerators. The additives contain chlorine in combination with other elements: calcium, sodium or other salts. When these substances act on concrete, the hardening process is accelerated. Used for pouring the base for the pool, reinforced concrete structures, and structures requiring multi-layer concrete pouring;
Concrete hardening retarders. Produce the opposite effect than previous supplements. They are very convenient for transporting ready-made concrete over long distances in order to avoid premature hardening. Also used in sandwich structures to avoid inter-attachment cracks;
Air-entraining additives. When such an additive is applied to a concrete mixture, it is filled with air particles and becomes porous. This is useful when it is necessary to increase the frost resistance of the concrete mix. In addition, such additives increase the service life of the concrete and its water resistance.

Manufacturer overview and average cost of supplements

Today, the largest domestic producer of concrete additives is called Polyplast. This company produces many additives under the brands "Linamix", "Aeroplast" and "Cryoplast".

The next largest manufacturer is the Superplast brand. This is followed by such firms as "Fort", "Biotech" and "Alliance".

On sale you can find additives packaged in bags of 25 kg, as well as in cans of 1.5 liters and 10 liters. Antifreeze additives are more affordable in price - from 30 to 50 rubles per 1 kg. Plasticizers, retarders and hardening accelerators have a price range of 60-90 rubles per 1 kg.

Complex supplements that provide several actions at once are sold at a price of 70-110 rubles / kg. The most expensive are air-entraining compositions, their price is from 200 to 300 rubles / kg.

When choosing an additive to a concrete mixture, it is best to first study its composition and reviews, because budget options are not always of high quality. When using an admixture on your own, be sure to observe the proportions and method of mixing the material indicated on the package. Thanks to plasticizers and additives, you can easily make your floor screed.