CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS GLOSSARY

Increases set times and early strength of concrete, great for cold weather concreting.

Adds stabilized micro bubbles to the concrete mix for free-thaw resistance and increase volume.

Chemical admixtures are the ingredients in concrete other than portland cement, water, and aggregate that are added to the mix immediately before or during mixing.  Producers use admixtures primarily to reduce the cost of concrete construction; to modify the properties of hardened concrete; to ensure the quality of concrete during mixing, transporting, placing, and curing.

Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM) is a hydrophilic crystalline admixture used to create permanently waterproof concrete.

Equipment that meters and introduces Admixtures into the concrete mixer or mixer truck.

Precast concrete that is made with an extremely low water/cement ratio.

See Super Plasticizer

Job/Project specific concrete batch designs containing Water, Admixtures, Fine Aggregate, Coarse Aggregate, Various Cements and Supplementary Materials.

Polycarboxylates or polymer based admixtures can allow cement reduction which could make the mix more cost effective. Use of Polycarboxylate admixtures in RMC (ready-mix-concrete) is normally less required than in Precast concrete because of generally lower concrete grades. This admixture type is very suitable for underwater anti-washout concrete.

Concrete that is cast in a reusable mold or form which is then cured in a controlled environment, transported to the construction site and set into place.

Concrete that is made at a concrete plant, mixed and delivered by a concrete mixer truck and placed and cured at the jobsite.

A product that delays the set of the concrete which is important in high temperatures.

The amount of time it takes for fresh concrete to harden for finishing purposes.

Microfiber that reduces plastic shrinkage cracks in fresh concrete caused by wind or sun exposure.

Macrofiber that is used to replace welded wire mesh and light rebar reinforcement in concrete.

Superplasticizers transform stiff, low-slump concrete into flowing, pourable, easily placed concrete. They can improve workability, speed finishing, increase strength, conserve cement and help reduce shrinkage and thermal cracking.

Normal Range Water Reducing Admixtures

Retarding Admixtures

Non Chloride Accelerating Admixtures

Water Reducing and Retarding Admixtures

Water Reducing and Accelerating Admixtures

High Range Water Reducing Admixtures

High Range Water Reducing and Retarding Admixtures

A dispersant that improves the workability of fresh concrete and allows the reduction of water in the mix thus improving early and late concrete strength