PRODUCTS THAT HELP CONCRETE STAND THE TEST OF TIME

Concrete admixtures play a very important role in the durability enhancement of concrete.  Without admixtures, high durability concrete would be nearly impossible.

Air Entrainers

Air entrainment in concrete is a necessity for any areas which will experience cycles of freezing and thawing. By adding in consistently sized and spaced air bubbles at the correct percentage, durability of concrete is dramatically improved. Sika’s line of air entraining admixtures comply with the standards set forth in ASTM C260.

Silica Fume

Silica fume is an extremely fine powder that when utilized in concrete can help provide high strengths. SikaCrete products help densify concrete making it more resistant to mechanical abrasion and chemical ingress.

Sikacrete®-950 DP

Densified Silica Fume Powder
How It Works: Sikacrete®-950 DP is a pozzolanic material that consists primarily of fine silicon dioxide particles in a non-crystalline form. Silica fume particles have a diameter of less than 1μm; about 100 times smaller than the average cement particle.    Pozzolanic action: A chemical reaction takes place between the free lime Ca (OH) 2 in the cement paste and the microsilica particles which results in the formation of additional calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) gel, the glue that holds the concrete constituents together. The formation of this extra binding force within the gel increases the compressive and flexural strength of the concrete.   Void Reduction: The fine particles of Sikacrete®-950 DP fill the tiny voids and capillary pores within the cement matrix and significantly reduce porosity to produce an extremely dense and impermeable concrete.     Advantages: Sikacrete®-950 DP produces concrete that has dramatically increased compressive and flexural strength, which allows greater design flexibility and structural design economies, combined with reduced permeability to increase the service life of the concrete.    
  • Compressive strengths are dramatically increased for high performance concrete.
  • Excellent abrasion and erosion resistance increases concrete durability in high-traffic areas.
  • Permeability is dramatically reduced, which makes microsilica ideal for applications where concrete will be required to resist chemical attack.
  • Resistance to corrosion is increased because concrete is more resistant to water ingress and therefore also to corrosion caused by sulfates and water-borne chlorides such as deicing salts.
  • Decreased permeability gives microsilica concrete excellent freeze-thaw resistance because less water is trapped inside the cement paste.
   Sikacrete®-950 DP does not contain calcium chloride nor any other intentionally added chloride containing ingredients.
Metakaolin

Metakaolin is highly reactive calcined clay. It is amorphous; meaning it chemically reacts with the hydration products of concrete to reduce its permeability and improve its strength and durability.

Sikacrete® M-100

Metakaolin Powder
How it works: Sikacrete® M-100 is a pozzolanic material, it is produced by thermally activating kaolin clay to produce an amorphous and chemically reactive material. Unlike other supplementary cementitious materials like flyash, slag and silica fume, Sikacrete® M-100 is not a by-product, it is specifically manufactured to its specification that improve the properties of concrete. The average particle size of Sikacrete® M-100 is 5 μm.    Pozzolanic action: Sikacrete® M-100 reacts with the free lime, Ca (OH)2 produced during the hydration process of cement to produce Calcium Aluminates and additional Calcium Silicate hydrates which is responsible for the strength of the cementitious mixture or concrete.   Void Reduction: The fine particles of Sikacrete® M-100 fill the tiny voids and capillary pores within the cement matrix and significantly reduce porosity to produce an extremely dense and impermeable concrete.   Advantages:
  • Increased early and later age compressive and flexural strength, which allows flexibility in structural design and allows early stripping of forms.
  • Increased resistance to bleeding and segregation.
  • Improved abrasion and erosion resistance, which increases concrete durability in hightraffic areas
  • Reduced permeability, which increases durability, resists chemical attack and increases service life of concrete.
  • Improved corrosion resistance, due to reduced chloride ingress in concrete.
  • Improved concrete performance in freeze thaw conditions.
  • Reduced deleterious expansions in concrete due to alkali-silica reaction.
  • Produces lighter color concrete due to its creamy white color.
  • Reduced efflorescence.
    Sikacrete® M-100 does not contain any calcium chloride nor any other intentionally added chloride containing ingredients.
ASR Controlling

ASR has been found to be responsible for the deterioration of various concrete structures including pavements, bridges, dams and other structures. The main reason for the occurrence of ASR is the presence of moderate to highly reactive aggregates and the utilization of high-alkali cements which are present in some regions. As a result, concrete for new construction in regions where ASR has been detected require the use of a mitigation alternative to help prevent ASR. Lithium nitrate admixtures are one of most effective mitigation options to prevent ASR.

Water Reducers

SikaPlast®-500

Mid Range Water Reducing Admixture
Low Range Water Reducing Applications: SikaPlast®-500 can be used as an economical low dosage admixture for conventional slump concrete, where water reduction up to 5% is required. SikaPlast®-500 shows similar setting properties as a reference concrete. By reducing water SikaPlast®-500 improves durability and increases compressive strength.   Mid Range Water Reducing Applications: Mid range application will be beneficial especially in ready mix applications. At a medium dosage, SikaPlast®-500 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 12 % can be obtained. This application is ideal for use with lean, harsh ready mix concrete mixes or concrete containing fly ash. SikaPlast®-500 will improve workability and finishability.    High Range Water Reducing Applications: When used as a high range water reducing admixture, water reduction up to 20 % 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/cement ratio. The dispersing action of SikaPlast®-500 maximizes cement hydration efficiency and improves concrete’s early and long term compressive strengths. The combined water reducing and superplasticizing action in all three cases provide the
following benefits:
  • Higher early and ultimate strengths.
  • Increased slump improves ease of placement and reduces labor costs.
  • Reduced water/cementitious ratio reduces permeability and increases durability.
   SikaPlast®-500 does not contain calcium chloride or any other intentionally added chlorides and will not contribute to corrosion on steel reinforcement present in the concrete.

Sikament® AFM

Mid Range Water Reducing Admixture
Mid Range Water Reducing Applications: Mid range application will be beneficial especially in ready mix applications. At a lower dosage, Sikament® AFM 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 ready mix concrete mixes or concrete containing flyash. Sikament® AFM will improve workability and finishability.    High Range Water Reducing Applications: When used as a high range water reducing admixture, water reduction up to 25 % 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/cement ratio. The dispersing action of Sikament® AFM maximizes cement hydration efficiency and improves concrete’s early and long term compressive strengths.    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.
  • 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® AFM does not contain calcium chloride or any other intentionally added chlorides and will not 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.

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.

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.