About admixtures
The use of admixtures for concrete has many advantages and benefits that have a positive impact on the quality and properties of this material.
Basic advantages of admixtures
- They significantly increase endurance,
- They increase rheology (plasticizes the mixture),
- They enable water reduction, which allows you to reduce the amount of cement without affecting the quality of the product,
- They extend or shorten the setting and hardening time,
- Reduce wear and tear on production equipment and machines,
- Enables work at low temperatures,
- They allow the concrete to be adapted to the individual requirements of the customer.
What are concrete admixtures?
Additives for concrete are substances added to the concrete mix, influencing the quality, durability, and efficiency of the concrete. Our innovative solutions provide comprehensive engineering and ecological benefits, contributing to the creation of concrete with a low environmental impact.
Types of concrete admixtures
Plasticizing admixtures (plasticizers)These additives improve the plasticity and consistency of the concrete mix, enabling its better shaping and distribution. They help reduce the amount of water needed to achieve the appropriate consistency, which improves the strength and quality of the concrete.
Fluidizing admixtures (superplasticizers): Superplasticizers work similarly to plasticizers, but they are more effective and allow for achieving highly fluid concrete mixes with a minimal addition of water. They enable the production of concrete with exceptionally high fluidity.
Admixtures increasing water bonding (stabilizers): These substances increase the ability of the concrete mix to retain water, which improves the cohesiveness of the concrete. They are often used in the production of self-compacting concrete.
Air-entraining additives: These admixtures introduce air microbubbles into the concrete mixture. They help increase concrete's frost resistance by reducing internal stresses during the freezing and thawing process.
Admixtures that accelerate setting: These substances shorten the time needed to start the cement setting process in concrete. They are useful in situations where quick achievement of concrete strength is required.
Admixtures that accelerate setting: These admixtures speed up the hardening process of concrete after the cement has bonded with the water. They are used to shorten the curing time of concrete.
Sealing admixtures: These substances are intended to increase the tightness of the concrete mixture, which is important in the case of structures that require resistance to water seepage.
Complex admixtures: These are special admixtures that combine the functions of two or more types of admixtures. For example, they can delay the setting of concrete, reduce the amount of water and at the same time plasticize the mixture.
Depending on the specific construction project and its requirements, appropriate types of concrete admixtures can be selected to achieve the desired properties and parameters of concrete. Thanks to different types of admixtures, engineers can adapt concrete mixtures to different conditions and applications.
How do concrete admixtures work?
Plasticizers – Increased Wettability of Cement: Our advanced plasticizers reduce the surface tension of water, which promotes better wetting of cement grains. This, in turn, translates into greater fluidity of the concrete mixture and significantly facilitates its processing. Our products achieve these results without the need to add excessive amounts of water, ensuring higher quality concrete. Additionally, plasticizers help reduce the amount of heat generated by reducing the amount of cement used.
PCE Superplasticizers – Exceptional Performance: They create long side chains that prevent cement grains from getting close to the absorbed particles. This makes it possible to reduce the grout water content, which translates into increased concrete strength both at the beginning and after long-term use. Our superplasticizers enable the production of concrete with the highest strength classes, while maintaining a fluid consistency and minimal cement consumption.
Retarding and Accelerating Admixtures – Adaptation to Conditions: Our retarding admixtures effectively control the setting time of concrete in summer conditions or in special projects where a delay in the hardening process is required. During periods of low temperature or winter, accelerating admixtures shorten the hardening time, allowing the concrete to achieve full strength even in colder conditions.
Admixtures Increasing Bonding – Stability and Cohesion: Our stabilizers increase the bonding of water in the concrete mix, which translates into better consistency of the concrete. They are ideal for the production of self-compacting concrete and concrete for use under water, where there is a risk of washing out the mortar and grout.
Air-Entraining Admixtures – Frost Resistance: Our air-entraining admixtures, used together with other admixtures, allow the production of frost-resistant concrete. Our solutions provide resistance to low temperatures, freezing and thawing processes, which is crucial in winter conditions and when using de-icing agents.
Complex Admixtures – Multifunctionality: Our complex admixtures combine the functions of various types of admixtures, providing comprehensive engineering and economic solutions.
Our products, redefine concrete production standards, enabling the creation of low-emission, durable and efficient concrete. Thanks to our innovative admixtures, you can achieve optimal results in various climatic conditions and construction projects. Trust our leading technology to deliver concrete that will meet the highest expectations.
