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ADMIXTURES BY CATEGORY

AIR ENTRAINING ADMIXTURES

Air-entraining admixtures entrain micro air bubbles in the concrete primarily to provide enhanced freeze-thaw durability. These air bubbles create micro voids, allowing water space to expand upon freezing without jeopardizing the integrity of the concrete. While some compressive strength loss typically accompanies increased air in concrete, it generally can be overcome by reducing the water-cement ratio via improved workability (due to the air-entraining agent itself) or using other appropriate admixtures.

EFFLORESCENCE CONTROL ADMIXTURES

Efflorescence control admixtures are designed to minimize the white chalky deposition (calcium carbonate) caused by calcium hydroxide released during the hydration process. Krete efflorescence control admixtures offer various performance levels and technologies to control both primary and secondary efflorescence.

FREEZE-THAW DURABILITY ADMIXTURES

Freeze thaw durability admixtures are used in concrete where extreme seasonal temperature differences are common.  A freeze thaw cycle is characterized by water absorption into the concrete.  The water freezes resulting in ice expansion, at pressures exceeding 114,000 psi, which destroys the concrete in a localized area.  As this ice melts, a larger void is left behind, where the cycle can repeat itself ultimately resulting in the complete failure of the concrete.

Freeze thaw durability admixtures encompass the performance properties of air entraining admixtures and water repellent admixtures.  The water repellent component attempts to prevent diffusion of the water into the concrete, so that ice formation cannot occur with the concrete structure.  The micro bubble formation provided by air entrainment admixtures provides a void where, in theory, if water penetrates the concrete, ice can form, without destroying the concrete.

PLASTICIZING ADMIXTURES

Plasticizers (also commonly referred to as surfactants) are designed to "wet out" the constituents in concrete and improve the workability or flowability of the concrete, resulting in improved densities and productivity, i.e. faster mold or machine fill times. 


Super plasticizers, also referred to as water-reducing admixtures, are admixtures that allow water reduction thereby increasing strength and providing greater flowability without substantially slowing set time or increasing air entrainment.

RELEASE AGENTS

Release Agents are products that are applied to molds, forms, pallets, or equipment which prevent adhesion of freshly placed concrete to the applied surface. Release Agents, generally are of two types, barrier and reactive. 

SET ACCELERATING ADMIXTURES

Set or cure accelerators shorten the set time of concrete, allowing for higher green strength, improved cold-weather curing, early removal from wet cast forms, and early surface finishing. Set accelerators work by solvating the calcium ions in cement making them more reactive and available for hydration.

WATER REDUCING ADMIXTURES

Plasticizers (also commonly referred to as surfactants) are designed to "wet out" the constituents in concrete and improve the workability or flowability of the concrete, resulting in improved densities and productivity, i.e. faster mold or machine fill times. 


Super plasticizers, also referred to as water-reducing admixtures, are admixtures that allow water reduction thereby increasing strength and providing greater flowability without substantially slowing set time or increasing air entrainment.

WATER REPELLENT ADMIXTURES

Water repellent admixtures are designed to provide integral water repellency to concrete by affecting the capillary action of water into or out of the concrete. Water diffuses through micro voids and canals, typically found at the cement-aggregate interface. Water repellent admixtures can perform as static pore pluggers, creating a more difficult pathway for water migration, or they can perform as reactive chemicals, forming “insitu” hydrophobic materials that not only plug pores, but also chemically repel water.

MORTAR ADMIXTURES

Mortar admixtures are specifically designed for concrete mortar and masonry building applications.  Typically based on a wide range of chemistries, mortar admixtures can offer improved intrinsic workability, masonry bonding, and efflorescence control/water repellency.

MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS

Krete offers a line of sundry products including a color enhancing sealer, macro foam control agent, set retarder, flexural strength enhancer, and corrosion inhibitive rack coating to assist you in these specific product requirements.

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