Architectural Concrete Formliners

Because of its strength and versatility, concrete continues to gain popularity as the building material of choice. More and more, owners, designers, and contractors refuse to settle for plain, unadorned concrete.

Sika® Formliners provide an economical means for adding interest and visual appeal to almost any concrete structure. The desire for architectural concrete continues to grow in both the public and private sectors and the applications for Sika® Formliners are limitless.

Sika offers a wide array of patterns and textures from which to choose. Patterns are available in a variety of sizes and depths to achieve the best visual effect.

Keep reading to learn more about the form liners and our product offerings.

Formliner Products

Sika® Form Release 8000

VOC COMPLIANT FORM RELEASE AGENT

• Sika® Form Release 8000 produces a smooth, unstained architectural concrete surface ready for curing compounds, sealers, mastics, or paints when applied according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Waterproofs mill oiled plywood forms to prevent the wicking of alkaline water from the concrete into the form, preventing the form from rotting out and raising the grain, thus doubling or tripling form life.
• Protects metal forms by chemically reacting and forming a rustproof film.
• Sika® Form Release 8000 leaves no residue or cement dust on the concrete surface, so concrete is left with an architectural surface ready for application of curing compound, sealer, or bonder for plaster, mastics, or paint. When any material is to be applied on top of the concrete, follow the application instructions of the material manufacturer.

Sika Architectural Concrete Formliners

Brochure

PDF - 9 MB (en)

Find Formliner Patters & Textures. Download the Brochure

Fasten formliner to form using mechanical fasteners, adhesive, or tapes. Ensure the correct side of the liner is facing formwork (Sika formliners have a tag indicating the formwork side).

Seal all formliner joints, tie holes, and penetrations created by mechanical fasteners using neutral cure silicone sealant.

Coat installed formliners using Sika® Form Release 8000 to aid in stripping of liners and improve surface appearance of concrete. Liners are now ready for concrete placement.

Sika® Form Release 8000

VOC COMPLIANT FORM RELEASE AGENT

Once concrete sets, remove finished formliner. See installation guide for additional information and guidelines.

APPLICATION AND REUSE

Sika® formliners are available in three grades to economically cast an architectural finish in concrete structures of all sizes, types and budgets. For some projects, it may be more cost effective to use more than one grade. When using multiple grades, it may be necessary to shim the formliner to compensate for thickness variations from grade to grade.

GRADE	MATERIAL TYPE	DESCRIPTION
UNI-CAST	Rigid Polymer (HIPS)	A single-use formliner ideal for tilt-up panels and cast-in-place construction requiring cut-outs for doors, windows, utilities, etc.
MULTI-CAST	Rigid Polymer (ABS)	Intermediate use formliner designed for 2-10 uses under normal job site conditions. Primarily used for cast-in-place applications.
DURA-CAST	Rigid Polymer (ABS)	Multiple use formliner designed for 10-25 uses under normal job site conditions. Used for cast-in-place and gang forming applications.

FORMLINER PATTERNS & TEXTURES

Sika® formliners are available in a variety of patterns and textures and most are offered in at least three different grades. Please consult a Sika St. Louis to determine the most suitable liner for you application and forming technique. Not all patterns are shown in our catalog. Call Sika St. Louis for additional pattern details or if you would like us to create a custom pattern or design.

IMPORTANT FACTORS TO REMEMBER

Pre-construction mock-up is required and must reflect actual job site conditions.
Some deeper patterns require back-up strips and are noted on the pattern details shown in the catalog.
Listed formliner dimensions are nominal. Changes in temperature can cause the liner to expand or contract. Allow for dimensional variations in the design and installation.
Protect liners from over exposure to direct sunlight.
Formliners will become more rigid at temperatures below 32°F. Use extra care under these conditions.
Concrete temperatures in excess of 140°F will adversely affect the material properties of the formliners. Sika does not recommend the use of formliners in these applications.
Rigid Polymer liners are NOT recommended for precast applications using heated beds.
Type 3 concrete with accelerators create high heat during cure which could damage Rigid Polymer formliners.

Rustication strips are recommended at the liner joints that do not blend with the pattern.
Although UNI-CAST formliners do not require a release agent, Sika Form Release 8000 is highly recommended to enhance the appearance of the concrete.
Use one concrete supplier for uniformity of color and texture.
Place concrete with an elephant trunk to minimize aggregate segregation.
Vibrate concrete to eliminate lift lines and minimize air voids.
Clean the liner between castings with a mild detergent and scrub brush.
Consult Sika St. Louis for further specification information.
See ACI 303R-04 "Guide to Cast-in-Place Architectural Concrete Practice" for further recommendations and design use.