HIGH RANGE & ULTRA-HIGH RANGE WATER REDUCERS

ViscoCrete products provide outstanding water reduction properties, providing up to 45% water reduction. Enjoy consistency in plastic & hardened properties with products that exceed expectations.

About High Range & Ultra-High Range Water Reducers

What are water reducing admixtures?
Water reducing admixtures consist of chemicals that aim to reduce the water-to-cement ratio in concrete. As a result, they increase strength while minimizing their impact on other concrete properties.

When are water reducing admixtures used?
Water reducing admixtures should be used when a plasticization effect is desired. This is ideal for the production of conventional slump concrete, Self Consolidating Concrete (SCC), ready mix applications, and more. Water reducing admixtures can have an effect on the following properties:

  • Workability/placeability
  • Pumping speed
  • Compressive and/or flexural strength
  • Setting time
  • Slump
  • Strength
  • Water-to-cement ratio
     

How do the high range & ultra-high range water reducers work?
Our ViscoCrete line of products encompasses a group of polycarboxylate based, high-performing, water-reducing concrete admixtures. This line is specially formulated to provide full range water reduction with a variety of cementitious materials allowing for ultimate versatility. As the world's largest supplier of polycarboxylate technology developed specifically for cement and concrete production, we truly understand the building blocks of polymer design. The result is products that are less sensitive to the many variables that can affect concrete, providing our customers greater consistency.

Do High Range Water Reducers increase air content in concrete? Or do PCEs (polycarboxylate ethers) increase air in concrete? 
The issue of polycarboxylate chemistries and air entrainment is complex.  Polycarboxylate chemistry describes a family of chemistries and compounds that differ in their overall performance and effects on concrete. Meaning, not all polycarboxylates are created equal, and not all polycarboxylate water reducers are equal. While it is true some polycarboxylate chemistries increase air entrainment, there are polycarboxylate chemistries that have negligible effects on air entrainment.

Concrete is a combination of various raw materials. These materials include cement, slag, fly ash, silica fume, aggregates, water, admixtures, and other fine materials. The optimal combination of the raw materials is the base for a high-quality concrete and the mix design must adhere to a set of general rules from the ACI (American Concrete Institution), AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials), ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and other standards bodies.

Various concrete mixes and materials have varying consistency and varied intrinsic abilities to entrain air. This is only compounded by the mixer used, mix durations, transportation time from the ready-mix concrete plant to the job site, method of placement, etc.

The admixtures used in the mix have very tight controls and tend to be the most consistent end of the concrete mix and concrete mix design.

OUR HIGH RANGE AND ULTRA-HIGH RANGE WATER REDUCERS

Sika® ViscoCrete®-6100

HIGH RANGE WATER REDUCING ADMIXTURE
Sika® ViscoCrete®-6100 provides the shortest level of slump life and fastest setting time in the Sika® ViscoCrete® product line making it especially suitable for precast/prestress applications. Various levels of water reduction can be achieved by adjusting the dosage rate of Sika® ViscoCrete®-6100.     When used as a high range water reducing admixture, water reduction up to 40% can be obtained. The superplasticizing action of Sika® ViscoCrete®-6100 allows for the production of high slump/flow concrete with excellent workability that can typically be placed with minimal vibration even at an extremely low water/cementitious ratio.   At lower dosages rates Sika® ViscoCrete®-6100 is an effective normal water reducing or mid-range water reducing admixture. This application is ideal for use in conventional concrete containing supplementary cementitious materials.     The combined water reducing and superplasticizing action of Sika® ViscoCrete®-6100 provides the following benefits:    
▪ Reduced water cement ratios produce more durable, dense concrete, ▪ Increased slump and workability improves efficiency of labor and reduces labor costs,  ▪ Improved finishing characteristics,     
▪ Increased early and ultimate strengths allow faster structural use of concrete,
▪ Increased early strengths allow faster demolding and more efficient use of forms for precast producers.
    Sika® ViscoCrete®-6100 does not contain intentionally added chlorides.

Sikament®-686

High Range Water Reducing Admixture
High Range Water Reducing Applications: When used as a high range water reducing admixture, water reduction up to 30 % can be obtained. The superplasticizing action allows for the production of high slump flowing concrete with excellent workability that can be placed with minimum vibration even at a low water/cementitious ratio. The dispersing action of Sikament®-686 maximizes cement hydration efficiency and improves concrete’s early and long term compressive strengths.   Mid Range Water Reducing Applications: At a lower dosage, Sikament®-686 can be used as a cost effective mid range water reducing admixture or simply as a water reducing admixture for production of conventional slump concrete. When used as a mid range water reducing admixture, water reduction up to 15 % can be obtained. This application is ideal for use with lean, harsh concrete mixes or concrete containing fly ash. Sikament®-686 will improve workability and finishability. The combined water reducing and superplasticizing action provide the following benefits:
  • Higher early and ultimate strengths for cost effective high strength concrete and earlier structural use of concrete.
  • Higher early strengths allow faster demolding and more efficient use of forms to precast producers.
  • Increased slump improves workability and reduces labor costs.
  • Full flow action aids in pumping and reduces need for vibration.
  • Greater concrete density reduces permeability and increases durability.
   Sikament®-686 does not contain calcium chloride or any other intentionally added chlorides and will not initiate or contribute to corrosion on steel reinforcement present in the concrete.

Sikament®-610

High Range Water Reducing Admixture
Water Reduction: Implication of high performance polymers allows Sikament®-610 to be used for all levels of water reduction. Sikament®-610 delivers high early strength development without causing delay of setting time, while providing a window of workability that makes it useful for most concreting applications. Sikament®-610 is designed for both the production of conventional slump concrete, as well as for SCC applications.    High Plasticity and Cohesion: The superplasticizing action of Sikament®-610 allows the production of high-slump concrete without segregation such that concrete can be placed with minimal vibrations even at low water cement ratios. Sikament®-610 is typically very cost effective when used for water reduction in the range of 20–25 %. Sikament®-610 maintains excellent cohesion within the concrete matrix eliminating excessive bleeding and/or segregation. The combined high range water reduction and efficient dispersing action of Sikament®-610 provide the following benefits in hardened concrete:   
  • Higher early compressive strengths for earlier removal of forms and structural use of concrete.
  • Higher ultimate strengths allow for greater engineering design flexibility and structural economies.
  • Reduced water cement ratios produce more durable, dense concrete with reduced permeability.
  • Highly effective dispersion reduces surface defects in concrete elements and improves aesthetic appearance.
  • In combination with set time accelerators or hardening accelerators, its fast setting characteristics and fast early strength development allows users to reduce the amount of heat necessary to achieve stripping strength.
    Sikament®-610 has been formulated to provide maximum water reduction and increased early strength. In addition improved finishing characteristics may be achieved, particularly when final finish, such as broom finish, is desired. Sikament®-610 does not contain calcium chloride or any other intentionally added chlorides and will not initiate or promote the corrosion of steel present in the concrete.