What is Sika air?

Sika® AIR admixture is an aqueous solution of organic materials. Sika® AIR meets the requirements of ASTM C-260 for air entraining admixtures. Durability: • Air entrainment is recognized as the most effective prevention against concrete scaling in exposed environments.

What is plastocrete250?

Sika® Plastocrete®-250 is a new generation water reducing admixture. Sika® Plastocrete®-250 meets the requirements of ASTM C-494 Type A, B and D. The use of Sika® Plastocrete®-250 provides the following benefits in concrete: Improved workability. Improved compressive and flexural strength.

What is an air entraining admixture?

Air entraining admixture refers to the admixture that entrains a large number of uniform, stable and closed tiny bubbles in the process of mixing concrete to reduce the segregation of concrete mixture, improve the workability, and also enhance anti-freeze ability and durability of concrete.

What is MasterLife s35?

MasterLife SRA 035 shrinkage-reducing admixture was developed specifically to reduce drying shrinkage of concrete and mortar, and the potential for subsequent cracking. It functions by reducing capillary tension of pore water, a primary cause of drying shrinkage.

What does entrained air do for concrete?

Air-Entraining Admixtures and What They Do: Air-entraining admixtures facilitate the development of a system of microscopic air bubbles within concrete during mixing. They increase the freeze-thaw durability of concrete, increase resistance to scaling caused by deicing chemicals, and improve workability.

When should you not use air entrained concrete?

4.1 Air-entraining agents should not be used in floors that are to have a dense, smooth, hard troweled surface. 6.2. 7 An air entraining agent should not be specified or used for concrete to be given a smooth, dense, hard-troweled finish because blistering or delamination may occur.

Where do you use air-entrained concrete?

It is beneficial to use air entrained concrete when placing concrete in areas with freeze-thaw conditions. Freeze-thaw conditions occur when the temperature of an environment fluctuates between above freezing temperatures and below freezing temperatures.

What happens if concrete has too much air?

A: The major effect of too much air is a reduction in concrete strength. Each percent increase in air content can reduce compressive strength by 2% to 6% for moderate-strength concrete. The degree of strength loss depends on the cement, admixtures, and other concrete ingredients used.

What are the two main benefits of air entrained concrete?

Air entrainment reduces the overall density of the concrete mixture and also increases the yield derived from the mix. There is an improvement in the concrete’s level of deicer-scaling resistance. There is an improvement in their general resistance to sulphate attacks.

Does adding air to concrete make it stronger?

Air-entrained concrete allows contractors to more easily install concrete surfaces while also promoting stronger results.

What is the minimum air content in concrete?

Specify… concretes specify 7.5 ± 1.5 percent air for resistance to freezing and thawing; for workability, specify 5.5 ± 1.5 percent for lightweight ag- gregate concretes in the 3000- to 4500-psi (21- to 31-megapascal) strength range and 4.5 ± 1.5 percent in the strength range above 4500 psi (31 megapascals).

When should you not use air-entrained concrete?

Where do we use air-entrained concrete?

The primary use of air-entraining concrete is for freeze-thaw resistance. The air voids provide pressure relief sites during a freeze event, allowing the water inside the concrete to freeze without inducing large internal stresses.

What happens when too much air in concrete?

Having too much air in your concrete can reduce its strength — for every percent increase in air entrainment, compressive strength can be reduced by 2% to 6%. Performing concrete air entrainment testing will help you find the perfect air volume for your mixture.

Is air entrained concrete stronger?

Concrete with entrained air will have a lower strength than the same mix without entrained air, but the concrete can attain strengths required for most purposes by an increase in the cementitious factor of the mix or by reducing the water content.

Where do we use air entrained concrete?

What is Sika air used for?

Sika® AIR is an air-entraining agent based on synthetic surfactants. Its efficiency is based upon the entrainment into the mix of a high number of correctly sized and evenly distributed air bubbles. Increased freeze-thaw resistance. Reduced bleed water.

What is the shelf life of sika air?

Sika® AIR is available in 55 gallon drums (208 liters), 275 gallon totes (1040 liters) and bulk delivery. Dark Amber Liquid. Shelf life when stored in dry warehouse conditions between 50°F and 80°F (10°C – 27°C) is 1 year.

What is the dose rate for Sika® air?

Dosage rates for Sika® AIR will typically fall between 0.25 and 3 fl. oz per 100 lbs. (16 – 195 ml / 100 kg) of cementitious to entrain between 4 and 6 percent air. Higher air contents may be obtained by increasing the dosage rate.