Antifreeze additives in concrete: their varieties and

Do you need to carry out concreting, and is it winter? Previously, this was a sufficient reason to postpone the construction to the spring season. After all, it is well known that the cement will not grasp properly at a sub-zero temperature. But now there is an opportunity not to stop because of such a nuisance, but only to use antifreeze additives in concrete with your own hands. In this article we will analyze what is needed for this.

General provisions

Let's take a closer look at what happens if antifreeze additives to concrete are not used, but simply continue construction work.

The fact is that this solution contains in its composition a certain proportion of water, therefore:

• The liquid crystallizes, almost completely stopping the process of hardening of the concrete mix.
• N₂O expands and creates cavities in the whole structure, decompressing it.
• The level of adhesion of cement stone drops sharply.
• The laying gains friability and will not serve for a long time.

Thus, the concrete must be protected from freezing until it reaches a certain critical mass, after which the process of solidification cannot be stopped.

Description

Antifreeze additives in a concrete solution provide many advantages:

Benefits

• Nаделяет раствор морозостойкостью. The main point for which this composition is actually used.

Tip: at critical temperatures it is recommended to increase the amount of the additive. So you accelerate the process of solidification and will have time to avoid crystallization of aqueous compounds.

• Increase the strength of the monolith, as they contribute to better adhesion of its components. It should be noted herewith that diamond drilling of holes in concrete or other similar processing is quite possible.

• Protect used reinforcement from the occurrence of corrosion processeswhich is quite possible due to the water used for cement mixing.
• Add concrete plasticity, which in turn reduces the possibility of cracking the frozen surface.

• Moisture resistance. The pores are filled with plasticizing agents, preventing the penetration of water.
• Acceleration of the curing process. One of the points that help the solution not to be afraid of the cold is the rapid curing of concrete with antifreeze additives, so these two functions go hand in hand.
• Nизкая цена относительно альтернативных методов защиты от гибельного воздействия мороза, such as heating with the help of electrical elements or the creation of a heat-insulating outer layer.

Tip: for even greater savings in case of lack of financial capacity, salt can be used as an antifreeze additive in concrete. Its presence lowers the freezing threshold of water.

• Increase the operational life of cement formation. As a rule, the addition of upgrading components increases the durability of the screed or foundation.

Indicators

Technical characteristics of antifreeze additives in concrete are as follows:

• The color is usually light blue or similar.

• Density is 1,220 g / cm³.
• Hydrogen indicator is about nine.
• Approximate consumption of 2.5 liters of additive per 50 kg of cement.

The remaining indicators may vary and are selected in accordance with various concomitant conditions: ambient temperature and humidity, contacting material used by the cement.

Examples

For example, consider several brands:

• "Leader" - the emphasis is specifically on protecting the concrete from the harmful effects of subzero temperature and copes with it well until it starts to show the thermometer below fifteen.
• "C-3P" - also has a plasticizing effect, intended for use in combination with highly mobile units. Frost stands only up to -10 degrees Celsius.

• "Antifreeze-PC" - the high cost is quite explainable by the high rates of plasticity, strength and frost resistance with which this substance gives cement. The resulting solution, for example, perfectly withstands -20 degrees. Such antifreeze additives for aerated concrete are also used.

• "Antifreeze FS, FSR" - is not used at very low temperatures, but it has very high properties that accelerate the setting of the mortar.
• «Виртуоз» – универсальный раствор, прекрасно взаимодействующий абсолютно с любыми видами сцепляющих составов при температуре до двадцати градусов мороза. То есть подходят помимо бетона к любым клеям, штукатуркам, шпаклёвкам и битумным составам.
• Ammonia water - has a smaller volume of expansion and less toxicity.
• Antifreeze hydrozim - enhances anti-corrosion properties, such a composition is beneficial when using a very large number of valves.

Operation technology

The use of antifreeze additives in concrete is allowed only taking into account compliance with all necessary safety conditions:

• Storage away from open fire and other fire-hazardous places, as the components involved in the creation of the solution in question are prone to fire and even explosive.
• During operation, the presence of personal protective equipment. The dropping or evaporation of the modifying mixture into the oral cavity or respiratory organs leads to poisoning, and injuries to open skin and eyes.

The following is a simple instruction:

• Nачинаете замешивать в бетономешалке цемент, который не имеет никаких модификаций.
• While the machine is working, dilute the mixture with water according to the accompanying annotation.
• The diluted composition is poured to the total mass of concrete, where they acquire a homogeneous state.
• After pouring the resulting solution, it is advisable to close it additionally with wooden shields. After all, you do not know how severe frosts can strike in the next couple of weeks, and extra precaution will not hurt.

Conclusion

There are cases when it is necessary to finish construction work in the shortest possible time, and winter is already "on the nose". If at the same time to use the classic preparation of concrete, the freezing water in its composition will destroy the strength of the structure. Therefore, you should use special antifreeze additives that allow you to leave H₂About its liquid state until the end of the setting. In addition, such mixtures increase the technical characteristics of the finished design.

The video in this article will provide you with an additional amount of information that has a direct bearing on the topic under discussion. Using modifying additives, you can not only perform concreting at sub-zero temperatures, but also improve the quality of the fill.