The dynamic development of the construction industry stimulates the emergence of increasingly modern additives and admixtures for concrete on the market. They represent a wide range of products with various chemical structure and properties. These substances are added in small amounts to concrete mixtures and interact with its components, ensuring the desired effect. As a result, the modified concrete has improved features that translate into greater structural and design capabilities.
According to the definition included in PN-EN 934-2 “Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout. Part 2. Concrete admixtures. Definitions, requirements, conformity, marking and labelling”, an admixture for concrete is a material added during the mixing process of concrete in a quantity not more than 5 % by mass of the cement content of the concrete, to modify the properties of the mix in the fresh and / or hardened state. While a concrete additive is a substance whose content exceeds 5% of the cement mass. This applies to ingredients that are not the basic raw materials for the production of concrete, i.e. sand or aggregate.
The admixtures for concrete may be both organic and inorganic compounds. The ones that modify more than one feature are called multi-functional admixtures. When using more than one type of admixtures, it is important to remember about their mutual influence. Before a concrete mix is prepared, it is necessary to check the compatibility of additives and the effectiveness of their operation with cement.
Admixtures are classed according to their functions. There are several distinct classes of chemical admixtures: plasticizing, liquefying, air-entraining, viscosity-enhancing, accelerating the bonding and hardening reactions, retarding (delaying the rate of setting), and sealing
It is a group of plasticizers that, without changing the consistency of concrete, reduce the amount of water by about 2-5%. With the use of these substances, the concrete mix becomes plastic and its compressive strength increases. From a chemical point of view, these are usually phosphates or polycyclic derivatives. This type of admixtures is used, among others for ready-mixed concrete, road and floor concrete.
This group includes superplasticizers that reduce the amount of mixing water by 12-40%. The best results can be obtained by using polymer concrete admixtures. As a result of their action, the concrete mix is liquefied, the porosity of the concrete decreases, and its durability and strength increases. Superplasticizers are used, among others, in the production of sprayed concrete, self-compacting concrete and concrete elements.
Admixtures of this type enable mixing of air bubbles into the concrete mass and spreading them evenly throughout its volume. With this modification, the concrete becomes frost-resistant and less absorbent, but its compressive strength decreases. The addition of 1% air to the concrete mass means a decrease in strength by about 5Mpa. The best results can be obtained by using organic acid salts as admixtures. Air-entraining admixtures are used, among others for bridge, surface and hydrotechnical concrete.
Admixtures from this group prevent loss of water from the concrete mix, in other words – improve its retention. As a result, they increase the cohesion of concrete and improve the durability of its top layer. They are particularly important in concrete constructions placed under the water surface, in the production of paving stones or concrete flooring.
This group consists of substances that shorten the time of altering the state of the concrete mix from plastic to hardened state. For this purpose, inorganic compounds such as nitrates, chlorides and metal fluorides as well as low molecular weight polyethylene glycols are usually used. This type of admixtures is used in the production of waterproof, fast-setting concrete and sprayed concrete. These strength additives increase the hydration heat, but may worsen the workability of the concrete mix.
These are usually metal oxides, sugars or phosphates that physically hinder or slow down the cement binding process, so that the concrete remains in fluid form for longer. The retarding admixtures are used when there is a need to combine layers of concrete together. The slower concrete setting rate caused by the additive can last up to several hours. Admixtures are used for concreting at high temperatures, in the production of architectural concrete and mixtures transported over long distances.
These are additives used for watertight concrete, and their task is to reduce the capillary absorption of the concrete mix by blocking the capillary pores. Waterproofing admixtures make it possible to obtain concrete surfaces that are resistant to water and to aggressive chemical agents. Some of them also work well as anti-frost admixtures for concrete. They reduce the moisture absorption of concrete and increase its durability. For this reason, they are used for the production of concrete exposed to unfavourable conditions.
Concrete additives include fine grained and inorganic additives. Their introduction to the mix is intended to enhance the properties of the concrete or to obtain new ones. Additives can be divided into two types. First there are filler aggregates, and then also pigments. The second type can be additionally divided in terms of properties into Pozzolanic – silica dust and silica fly ash, and hydraulic – granulated blast furnace slag.
Silica dust, also referred to as microsilica, is highly a highly popular concrete additive. It is formed as waste during the creation of ferro-silicon, silicon metal and other silicon alloys. However, it has unique chemical and physical properties, which allow concrete to be obtained that can resist pressures of 100÷150 MPa. This is possible by the fact that silica dust interacts very well with plasticizing admixtures, plasticizers and superplasticizers. And of course thanks to the special Pozzolanic properties of microsilica.
The PCC Group also offers microsilica produced at the Bakki Plant. This product is manufactured in line with the principles of sustainable chemistry. This means the production systems operate with the use of green energy, which originates from geothermal sources in Iceland. Thanks to this, the carbon dioxide emissions produced are a third of those in other plants.
Concrete admixtures that reduce the amount of production water belong to the water reducing group: these are concrete plasticisers and superplasticisers for concrete. The positive effect of the use of admixtures in concrete is a change in its physical parameters. This involves changing the amount of water, cement, mineral additives, and the possibility of incorporating the mixture in previously inaccessible places as well as conditions or long-distance transport without changing the desired consistency.
The basic mechanism of plasticising concrete by admixture is electrostatic repulsion, where polymer molecules with negative charge function groups are adsorbed on cement grains. This increases the dispersion of cement agglomerates in the concrete mix, which releases water and increases the liquidity of the mix.
A properly selected plasticiser or superplasticiser allows to obtain concrete with properties designed for a given structural element.
The PCC Group stands out on the market as a manufacturer of plasticisers. The offer includes a wide range of different types of products. These include admixtures used for plastics and plasticisers for concrete. PCC Group products are developed and tested in accordance with the relevant standards. Thanks to this, the customer can count on the proven quality of the offered product. Polyurethanes bearing the “green building” label will work well in projects for which sustainable building is important and does not harm the environment.
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:
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.
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