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

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.