Colloidal silica in concrete admixtures
Colloidal silica in concrete admixtures
Making concrete easy to work with - How colloidal silica works in concrete
In concrete applications, colloidal silica (also known as nano silica) works exceptionally well as stabilizer, durability enhancer and strength developer. Segregation is controlled, an bleed prevented - making the mix more stable and workable. In surface, treatment of concrete substrates, colloidal silica contributes to increased hardness and abrasion resistance resulting in a long-lasting surface. Easy to use and safe to handle, colloidal silica is the natural choice for enhancing concrete properties.
Concrete applications
In concrete applications, colloidal silica (also known as nano silica) works exceptionally well as stabilizer, durability enhancer and strength developer.
Shotcrete
Colloidal silica acts as a stabilizer improving the sprayability and pumpability characteristics , it reduces rebound and increase maximum thickness build-up and early strength.
General concrete for infrasctructure
When colloidal silica reacts with free lime in the concrete, porosity is significantly reduced, making the concrete more durable and resistant to chemical attack.
Self-consolidating concrete (SCC)
Self-consolidating concrete and precast - colloidal silica can be used to enhance rheological properties in combination with high range water reducing agents (HRWR) poly-carboxylates.
Benefits of colloidal silica in concrete admixtures
Colloidal silica is an effcient viscosity modifying admixture and can control the segregation of aggregates.
During hydration of cement, calcium silicate hydrate binders (C-S-H) are formed......
When colloidal silica reacts with the free lime, creating the C-S-H binder phase, the porosity in the concrete is significantly reduced.
Stability and control
Colloidal silica is an efficient viscosity modifying admixture and can control the segregation of aggregates. It reduces migration of water to the surface during flatwork applications and finishing, thereby eliminating free water and preventing bleeding. The addition of colloidal silica affects the gel-state of the concrete and increases the plastic viscosity. The creation of a cohesive binder phase results in improved workability and enhanced pumpability increasing the robustness of fluid concretemixtures.