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Valuable Details About Concrete Plasticizer

By William Collins


Plasticizers are added to increase the viscosity of a material by altering their physical characteristics. The elements may either be solids or liquids of low volatility. They work by decreasing the strength of the forces of attraction between polymer molecules in a material and the frictional forces between the particles. Historically, a lot of substances were used to increase the plasticity of an element but, currently, only a few are still in the market. They include concrete plasticizer.

These water reducers are added to elevate the workability of concrete. The strength it has is known to be inversely proportional to the amount of water available. Strong cement blends have little water which makes the mixture difficult to mix and work with. The plasticizers are often used when aluminum ash is added to boost the strength. The result is high strength and fiber reinforced mixture of cement.

Mathematical calculation of the amount of plasticizer is paramount for a high-quality end product. The range is usually on a one to two percent per unit weight of concrete and values beyond or above the range leads to poor changes. Cement particles become negatively charged due to adsorption of the main ingredient onto them. Polymer molecules wrap around the cement molecules, become strongly charged making the repulsion forces stronger.

Although the use of these agents may seem expensive, the benefit is noted years later, and they surpass the initial cost. The walls established withstand torrential rains, earthquakes, hurricanes, thunderstorms and strong winds. The inclusion of the chemicals is economical as it reduces the amount of cement used in the overall process. Such houses are thus smooth, firm and need little maintenance.

Houses made from cement and rocks earlier incorporated with plasticizers are smooth and intact as no cracks are formed. The plasticizers not only increase the strength of but have thermal altering capabilities. Under the hot weather, the temperature at which they can break is raised and cracks not formed. It increases the temperature at which surfaces expand to their breaking point and makes sure that the lines of weakness along the rock elements are not altered.

The chemical agents help the building remain firm throughout the winter season. Due to the low temperatures, contraction occurs, and as the molecules come close together, some surfaces are stressed more than others and making a building incline to one side. Plasticizers are added to control the magnitude of the forces working against each other and ensure the cement does not reach a breaking point.

The plasticizers are fitted with antibacterial agents to hinder the growth of bacteria in a building. In an overly heated room, thermophilic bacteria will find a suitable growing area and spread diseases. The antibacterial agent, however, hinders the growth by lowering the temperatures on the surfaces. This is highly beneficial and keeps the society both safe and healthy.

When the plasticizers are used correctly, their benefits are durable. There is no repair for surfaces made of high-quality rock-cement mixtures. Softeners are a potential endocrine disruptor, and their use should, therefore, be controlled. A building made of treated cement-rock elements will not stand firm forever as the plasticizers loss their strength due to old age. Therefore, consider a durable agent and regularly inspect your surfaces for cracks.




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