Concrete
Admixtures
- Concrete Admixtures
- Products We Carry:
- Cement
- Flyash
- Air-Entraining
- Water-Reducing
- Accelerating
- Set Stabilizers
- Shrinkage Compensating
- Waterproofing
- Reinforcing
- Color
Concrete admixtures are naturally occurring or processed chemicals which are “added” to concrete, while in a plastic state, to modify its properties. These modifications are made to enhance the performance of standard concrete mixes or change the normal working properties of typical concrete and are a benefit to virtually all the parties involved in a concrete placement. These “additions” to the mix can affect the concrete; as it is being produced, transported in the truck or while it is still fresh and being placed. Admixes of this variety are an aid to the Ready Mix Producer as well as the contractor placing the material. Admixtures which give cured/hardened concrete special properties such as durability, strength, chemical resistance, color, etc are a benefit to the owner or end user of a project. Concrete Admixes generally fall within the broad classifications of; air entrainment, set accelerators, set retarders, water reducers, superplasticizers and specialty. At Salmon Bay we use every variety of these admixes, in order to provide our customers with the specific mix of concrete that will meet their concrete performance needs.
Cement
Often overlooked when thinking of admixes, cement is really the most basic of admixes. Adding more to a mix of concrete, increases the strength, adds durability, improves pumpability, makes the mix easier to finish, accelerates the set time….and that’s not even a complete listing of the benefits derived from adding cement to concrete. More cement is a good thing when considering an admix for concrete.
Flyash
Is currently the admix de jour, due to the fact that it is a very green product, which imparts many beneficial attributes to concrete. Flyash is a 100% recycled material, which is reclaimed from coal burning industries and coal fired power plants. As and admix; it is a densifier, improves concrete durability, improves pumpability, increases long term strength gain and can replace a small amount of cement normally used in a concrete mix.
Air-Entraining
MB-AE 90 is the air-entraining admix used by Salmon Bay. Entrained air is designed into a mix; where as entrapped air is a consequence of mixing concrete. MB-AE-90 disperses microscopic air bubbles uniformly throughout the mix improving resistance to the effects of freeze thaw cycling. It is a must in all concrete to be used for exterior flatwork in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, in low sackage mixes, “air” will improve the ultimate strength of the concrete mix.
Water-Reducing
As the name implies, these admixes reduce the required water content of a concrete mixture by approximately 5-10 percent. Concrete containing less water, which still maintains the desired slump, is usually a higher strength concrete. By reducing the water content in a yard of concrete by as little as 1 gallon; the 28 day strength can be improved by as much as 300-500 psi. There are 3 ranges of water-reducing (WR) admixes; normal-range (5% water reduction), mid-range (8%) and full-range (10%). Salmon Bay’s 3 WR’s are Pozzolith 200N (normal-range), PolyHeed 997 (mid-range), and Glenium 3030NS (full-range)
Click on highlighted admixes for more information.
Accelerating
These admixes increase the rate of early strength development, reduce the time required for proper curing and protection and speed up the start of finishing operations. All of these features are particularly beneficial in cold or deteriorating weather conditions. The simplest accelerant for concrete is Hot Water. Salmon Bay will make hot water available, as and addition to concrete mixes, from October until about March. It is available by request, based upon the volume of concrete requested. Calcium Chloride is the next most basic of accelerating admixes. It is old technology that is used typically during cold weather. It is not suggested for use in colored concrete or allowed in placements containing large concentrations of steel.
Pozzolith NC 534 is Salmon Bays admix of choice for accelerating set time in concrete.
It improves curing time and reduces set time, is fine to use with colored concrete and has no deleterious affects on steel, since it is a Non-Chloride accelerator.
Set Stabilizer
Delvo set stabilizer extends the finishability of concrete and gives the cement finisher extra time to work the material. Delvo can slow the set time of Ready Mixed Concrete up to several hours if necessary.
Shrinkage Compensating
Concrete loses volume as the water it contains from the mixing process, hydrates and evaporates. This loss of volume often causes shrinkage cracking. Tetraguard AS 20 is a shrinkage compensating admix intended for use in design mixes having a controlled slump. Concrete mixes containing Tetraguard AS 20 have reduced drying shrinkage cracking and micro-cracking, improved aesthetics, water tightness and overall durability.
Waterproofing
Xypex is a unique chemical treatment for the waterproofing, protection and improvement of concrete. It is added to the concrete mix at the time of batching. Xypex contains active chemicals, which react with the moisture in fresh concrete. This reaction generates a non-soluble crystalline formation throughout the pores and capillary tracts of the concrete. In its hardened state the concrete becomes permanently sealed against the penetration of water or liquids. Xypex is available in several formulations; Admix C-1000 is used in standard concrete mixtures, while Admix C-500 is intended for design mixed concrete containing Flyash or slag as admixtures.
Reinforcing
Propex’s Fibermesh polypropylene fibers, add tremendous performance enhancements to traditional flatwork concrete. Fibers mixed into concrete (placed horizontally) require no minimum amount of cover and are always positioned in compliance with codes, due to their 3-dimension distribution throughout the concrete mix. Additional benefits include; reduced plastic shrinkage cracking, improved residual strength, impact, shatter and abrasion resistance, reduced water migration and damage from freeze/thaw. Salmon Bay supplies: Fibermesh 150 for architectural concrete placements; Fibermesh 300 as an alternate for secondary concrete reinforcement and Novomesh 850 which is an approved replacement for traditional concrete flatwork reinforcement.
Click on highlighted admixes for more information.
Color
Salmon Bay is a supplier of Davis Colors. These synthetic and natural occurring oxide pigments add color to the design of sidewalks, driveways, patios, streets, parking lots and other concrete pavements. Integral colors are mixed into the concrete and require little additional labor to finish. Because integral colors extend throughout the slab, the color shows through even if the slab chips or is exposed. Davis Colors are made with pure, concentrated pigments especially treated for mixing into concrete. They are lightfast, alkali-resistant, weather resistant, and have a recycled content of nearly 60%.
