Why use hydrophobic additives?
Today, on a wide variety of construction sites, you can hear about hydrophobic additives in the composition of concrete. But who really needs them and for what? What conditions and facilities have these concrete additives been developed for?
Let's try to figure it out. In order not to talk about some abstract mixtures, as an example, consider the use of a Teknomer 120 hydrophobic additive. The consumption of the finished composition is extremely economical - only 2-3% of the total weight of the dry cement mixture, and the application is simple and convenient, which makes Teknomer 120 a popular solution for the hydrophobization of concrete structures.
And so, why do they use hydrophobic additives in concrete when creating reinforced concrete structures? To protect concrete and components, namely for:
- protection of reinforcement and steel structural elements from corrosion in the concrete body
- improving the strength and frost resistance of finished concrete
- protection of concrete from high water pressure - positive and negative
- protection of reinforced concrete structures from the destructive effects of water, moisture and dampness
As a result, hydrophobic additives, in particular Teknomer 120, are used to extend the period of maintenance-free operation of reinforced concrete structures in conditions of direct contact with water and humid air.
By understanding how a hydrophobic additive in concrete works, it is possible to clearly determine which facilities cannot do without it:
- foundations, bridges and tunnels
- dams, dams and other water engineering structures
- water towers, water purification structures, pools and reservoirs with drinking water
- settling tanks for liquid waste and wastewater
- underground parking lots, basements, semi-basement
- underground elements of reinforced concrete structures
And so, answering the question of why hydrophobic additives are used in concrete, it is safe to say - to protect concrete and metal structural elements from the destructive effects of water and moisture. This means that for the reliability and durability of reinforced concrete structures in conditions of increased environmental influence on the structure.
