What is a plasticizer for concrete and what is it for

Competent introduction of supplements

In order to correctly calculate the amount of plasticizer that will interact with future paving stones, it is necessary to take into account a number of requirements and nuances:

1. First you need to combine the key components (cement composition, crushed stone, polymer components and pigment that gives the surface a shade).
2. The additive is added immediately after preparation of all components. If this time is missed, it will lose its properties and become unusable for further use.
3. Homogeneous consistency and plasticizer are combined in time. Otherwise, the final product will be of low quality.

The optimal proportions are as follows:

For mixing, 20 liters of water are used, 4 tbsp. l

liquid soap.
These substances are thoroughly mixed.
If you are using detergent powder, it must first be dissolved in hot water.
In the next step, you will need to add dyes and 2 buckets of gravel.
It is important to remember to stir the solution when adding the next additive.
Next, you need to add two buckets of cement and a bucket of gravel.
At the last stage, 4 buckets of sand are added.

If this sequence of actions is followed, the plasticizer solution will receive the correct consistency and will be functional.

As an alternative to a store-bought plasticizer, you can use special hardeners that are sold in hardware stores. They not only give the mixture hardness, but also protect it from deformation during severe frosts.

Additives that form bubbles are available on sale in Moscow. They increase the strength properties of the product and make it durable.

Once again - we can become partners with you!

We have considerable experience working with large enterprises in the construction and oil and gas industries. We know for sure that delivery times, product quality, correct execution of all documentation must be at the highest level and on time! Otherwise, they will no longer cooperate with us in the future. We are closely monitoring this.

We value our partnership with the largest corporations in the country:

- “I am launching the production of paving slabs / small architectural forms / foam concrete, etc. I need your advice. "

We hear about such words in the telephone receiver at every 6th call (data from the Fort LLC sales department). We like to connect with people who start their own business related to the production of concrete products or construction work. In the course of our consultations, we consistently lead our clients to obtain quality products and, accordingly, the first profit.
Mainly, we answer the client's question why chemical additives are needed in production, how they work and what a concrete product manufacturer gets from this.

We are approached by manufacturers who have been engaged in the production of finished concrete products, ready-mixed concrete mixes, repair or construction for several years. And facts emerge that unscrupulous suppliers of construction chemicals sold additives that were more profitable for them to sell. As a result, the manufacturer bought expensive or inappropriate modifiers and believed that everything was fine with him. We provide alternatives and help reduce additive costs or improve product / work quality.

We are ready to offer managers of companies selling building materials to expand the range.Why exactly our products? Flexible approach to cooperation, favorable working conditions, high quality, honesty and responsibility to partners. This is our approach! Call any of our representatives in any region and see for yourself. Contact here. And here is a list of working conditions that we can offer you.

Fort range

Hardening accelerator with plasticizing effect
Winter concreting additives
Superplasticizer for ready-mixed concrete
Superplasticizer for concrete products
Additives for waterproof concrete
Chemical additives for concrete
Hyperplasticizer for concrete goods using TVO
Superplasticizer for precast concrete
Plasticizer for paving slabs, curbs
Complex modifiers for hydraulic engineering
Superplasticizer for small architectural forms
Additive for vibropressed products
Accelerators for foam concrete, aerated concrete

You can use the product search by area of ​​application

The products are manufactured in the form of aqueous solutions of the required concentration and in the form of water-soluble powders.

The additives are sold through our representative offices in every major region of the Russian Federation and neighboring countries. Addresses and regions can be found on the Contacts page.

How it works:

By the way, you can also send us your proposal for cooperation in your region. We offer work as an official representative / dealer, sales agent, etc. We will definitely consider such an offer and contact you to discuss the terms of work.

The Fort company has been operating in the construction chemicals market since 2004. In our person you will get not only a supplier of quality products, but also a reliable partner - a financially stable company with a long history. Information on the high coefficient of partner reliability can be found on specialized portals on the Internet.

The development of Fort products is carried out in close cooperation with specialists from Russian research institutions, such as NIIZhB (Moscow), Ph.D. Yakobson M.Ya. (Moscow), St. Petersburg State Transport University (St. Petersburg), RUE "Institute BelNIIS" (Minsk) and other scientists from our country and abroad.

If you still have questions for us or you would like to offer us something, be sure to call us or fill out the feedback form on the product description pages.

All chemical additives for concrete comply with European standards and environmental friendliness of production. We are working to make your concrete better!

How the solution is prepared

There is no single recipe for the preparation of this solution, since clear proportions simply do not exist. But there are a lot of recommendations and you need to listen to them. Liquid soap is added to the bag of cement, the volume of which is equal to 250 ml. This will allow the mortar to dry more slowly, thereby prolonging the work with that up to three hours and negating the possibility of cracks and chips appearing after. Both components are classified as alkaline. If you add soap to a ready-made solution, then the effect will be practically unnoticeable. It should be added at the very beginning of the preparation of the mixture, so that it does not have time to settle in a layer on expanded clay, thereby losing its original qualities. If we are talking about the manufacture of irresponsible structures, then the consumption of cement will be significantly reduced. High-quality soap is perfect if the expanded clay block is the main component. A soapy substance envelops each granule, thereby improving its adhesion to concrete in the future. Do not use a large amount of water, so that later there is no need to add more cement. Ordinary liquid soap will help you with this. If you do not use it, then the time spent on mixing the components will increase.The wetting process itself lasts no more than 15 seconds, after which the foam will completely cover the expanded clay, and the foam will already calm the cement. Thus, you can simplify the process of making blocks from expanded clay. To obtain a more sticky substance, it is customary to use slaked lime, which will make the masonry smoother and more uniform. A significant disadvantage can be foam, which is formed if mixing is performed in a concrete mixer. You should use those products that, when mixed, do not give a large amount of foam. Otherwise, you will have to wait for the moment when the foam settles on its own.

Independent production

Since it is quite problematic to purchase a foam maker, craftsmen prefer detergents. On their basis, you can create a high-quality plasticizer for paving slabs with your own hands, without resorting to complex production technologies. The component volume is calculated taking into account the amount of cement, sand and aggregate.

If the batch is carried out with a whole bag of cement and expanded clay, then liquid soap or powder that is diluted in water. Due to these properties, the solution will begin to solidify after 3 hours, which will ensure its free distribution over the workpiece.

The plasticizer provides for the correct choice of the amount of soap. If expanded clay or other material absorbs the entire soap solution, then the final batch will be of low quality. Soap formulations also contribute to good lubrication.

In addition to soap, slaked lime must be present in the cement solution. Its task is to provide good adhesion and elasticity, as well as to create a flat and smooth surface.

In case of self-production of plasticizers, it is necessary to carry out calculations directly at the construction site. First you need to create a couple of batches, changing the amount of additives.

Detergents as additives

Since soap solutions have increased fluidity and can get into any pores, enveloping them, this makes the raw material for the plasticizer more elastic and susceptible to changes.

From an economic point of view, it is better to settle for soap. Available models of liquid soap in 5L bottles are available at various retail outlets. This option is often used by builders due to its low cost. You can also take the classic lumpy soap, after grinding it on a grater and dissolving it in hot water.

Lime - a broad spectrum plasticizer

When figuring out which plasticizer to make at home, you should familiarize yourself with the properties of lime. Its task is to increase the ductility of the solution and remove the problem of cracks. Tiles with such an additive have increased strength properties, a smooth surface and other distinctive properties. But if there is lime in the composition, it is prohibited to add other components.

Receiving DOP in production

The production of dioctylphthalate occurs during the esterification reaction, in which phthalic anhydride and octanol take part. This process should take place with the participation of catalysts. They can be: arylsulfonic acids or tetraalkyl titanates.

It is worth noting that with such a reaction, manufacturers can immediately get 2 types of plasticizer: dioxyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate.

Dioctyl phthalate is obtained by esterification of phthalic anhydride with octanol in the presence of catalysts. for example, arylsulfonic acids or tetraalkyl titanates. When an acidic catalyst is used, dioctyl phthalate is isolated from the resulting reaction mixture in the same way as dibutyl phthalate.

Does it need a cement plasticizer?

By adding a plasticizer for cement of a certain type to liquid concrete or cement mortar, builders achieve the following positive properties of the material and the final product,which cannot be achieved by adding dry additives and additives: workability, plasticity, mobility, thixotropy, sulfate resistance, water resistance, density and a number of other properties. In particular, various types of plasticizers:

• Significantly improve the mobility of the material - reduce the required amount of the grout by an average of 20%, which significantly improves the quality of the solution;
• Perceptibly reduce labor costs with high quality of filling or application;
• Prevents corrosion of steel reinforcement and underfloor heating elements;
• Accelerate the process of curing and drying;
• They reduce porosity, thereby significantly increasing the strength, durability and resistance of the structure to harmful atmospheric factors.

Depending on the effect achieved, all types of plasticizers are divided into 4 main types: super-strong, strong, medium and weak. Let's consider the characteristics and purpose of the types of plasticizers in more detail.

Super strong modifying additives

Materials of this type are produced on the basis of condensation products of naphthalene, sodium sulfate, formaldehyde and sulfuric acid. They allow you to change the plasticity indicators by several levels (for example, improve the P1 grade to the P6 grade). At the same time, this does not in any way impair the strength and density of concrete products. In addition, super-strong additives create a "repulsive" effect that improves the quality of the mortar, significantly increases the mobility (from 3 to 4 orders of magnitude), is used for any concrete and "cement" work: volumetric filling of structures, arrangement of floor screed, plastering, etc.

Strong modifying additives

These are modifying substances based on lignosulfonate, acrylic polymers and salts. They increase plasticity from grade P1 to grade P4, increase thixotropy and workability of cement-based solutions. The maximum effect is achieved with vibration of the structure to be poured. In this case, the plasticization of the material is achieved due to absorption at the physical level and the so-called "smoothing" of the grains. Scope of application: construction of bulk foundations, plastering, molding of concrete goods;

Medium modifying additives

The market for modifiers of this type is represented by materials based on lignosulfates that increase the mobility of the mixture from grade P1 to P3, increase water resistance and resistance to substances containing chlorides and sulfates. Scope: construction of plinths and foundations of buildings and structures;

Weak modifying additives

The basis of substances of this type are methyl selikonates of alkali metals: fluorine, potassium and sodium. By adding them to cement slurries, you can achieve an increase in plasticity by no more than 1 point. At the same time, weak modifying additives significantly increase the water resistance of concrete, up to 100% hydrophobicity. Particularly popular are plasticizers based on "liquid glass" characterized by high waterproofing and resistance to acids. When dissolved in a ratio with "mixing" water 1: 5-1: 10 "liquid glass" modifiers provide maximum strength and excellent thixotropy of concrete and cement mortars.

Material consumption volumes and proportions

When preparing plasticizers at home, you need to adhere to the following proportions:

• liquid soap - 25 ml (2 tablespoons) for 20 kg (10 dm3) of dry cement;
• dish detergent - 5 ml (1 tsp) for 20 kg (1 dm3) of dry cement;
• washing powder - 30 ml (3 tablespoons) for 20 kg (1 bucket) of dry cement;
• shampoo - 10 ml (1 tablespoon) for 20 kg (1 bucket) dry cement;
• laundry soap - 50 g (100 ml of grated mixture) per 20 kg (1 bucket) of dry cement;
• lime - 1/5 of cement in volume ratio.

Since concrete is heavy and dense, it is advisable to mix it in an electrically driven household concrete mixer. The mechanization of the process has its drawbacks - solid and liquid soap, shampoo and detergent dish detergent give a copious foam with stirring. Because of this, you have to stop the equipment and wait a long time until the foam settles. Despite such complications, the concrete mixer mixes the composition quickly and efficiently - the solution is homogeneous without clots and lumps.
For manual kneading, use a shovel, a pallet or a flat-sided tin bath. This procedure involves the application of great physical effort and time. These inconveniences are compensated for by the absence of foam and forced downtime due to its appearance. You can simplify the process by mixing the solution in a bucket with a powerful drill with a mixer at low speeds. This option is suitable for a small volume of construction.

How to make a plasticizer for concrete with your own hands

Ready-made plasticizers are widely available for sale in almost any hardware store, but the cost of purchasing them, especially for large construction volumes, is quite significant. But preparing suitable formulations is quite easy on your own, while saving money. You can successfully replace a factory-made plasticizer with a variety of tools available in every household.

Here are some easy-to-prepare recipes for obtaining products that improve the performance of masonry mixtures and ready-made constructs:

1. Shampoo, dishwashing detergents, ordinary washing powders or liquid soap are added to water, mixed thoroughly, the resulting container is poured into a special container for preparing concrete. Further, cement and other components are gradually poured into the container.

   With the help of such an additive, the working mixture will become more plastic, and the beginning of its setting will be delayed by three hours. But when using soap compositions, even with strict adherence to the consumption of the plasticizer and the sequence of preparation, the following disadvantages are inherent in masonry mortars:

   • “efflorescence” (salt stains) may appear on the surface of the finished constructs, due to the phosphate additives included in the detergents;
   • a protective film does not form on top of the hardened concrete;
   • soap components impede the formation of air bubbles, which leads to wetting of the structure and the appearance of mold;
   • mixing the soap mixture leads to the formation of a large amount of foam, which degrades the quality of concretes and mortars, which leads to the need to wait for it to settle.
2. At home, it is effective to add slaked lime to solutions. Adding it up to 20% of the cement mass makes the working mixture elastic, increases its stickiness and provides bactericidal protection. The finished structures become stronger and more resistant to the formation of mold.
3. The addition of PVA glue diluted in water (200 g per bucket of cement) increases the moisture resistance of the solutions, their strength, mobility, adhesion to substrates and resistance to fracture loads. Depending on the conditions of use for 1 m3 of concrete, the consumption of PVA glue will be from 5 to 20 liters.

Before the invention of plasticizers, proteins of chicken eggs were added to masonry mortars, which significantly improved the strength and quality of masonry mortars. An example of the high skill of ancient builders are engineering structures that have survived to this day (Roman viaducts, Egyptian pyramids and temples in various parts of the world).

How much factory-made plasticizer to add to solutions and clear rules for their use are indicated in the necessarily attached instructions. This ensures that the required properties of the working solutions are achieved.

It is impossible to purchase a ready-made or make your own ideal plasticizer.

When choosing suitable additives, in addition to its direct purpose, it is necessary to take into account many different factors: the type of the construct being erected, the composition of the working mixture, the presence or absence of reinforcement, the time for transportation and installation, seasonality, weather conditions, etc.

Most in demand:

• superplasticizer S-3, which has a double effect: improving the strength characteristics and reducing the consumption of cement binder;
• liquid additive Sanpol, which improves the mechanical strength and thermal performance of screeds;
• Rehau, this premium product improves the quality of thin concrete layers;
• "Polyplast SP-1", used in the manufacture of structures from heavy, light and cellular concrete, including high-quality heavy mixtures ≥ B45;
• TsNIPS 1, BS and Phlegmator-1.

The following manufacturers of plasticizers are most popular:

• domestic companies "Neoplast" and "Component";
• German SE Tylose GmbH;
• trade brands TM “Den Braven” and Sika.

Additive to concrete (solution) С-3

Additive C - 3 is made from organic raw materials, including:

• sulfonated poly-condensates (82-84%);
• sodium sulfate (8-10%);
• liquid (10%).

The use of a special suspension to increase strength, safety precautions must be followed, gloves and goggles must be worn. The substance has an excellent effect on the bond structure, while reducing the capital investment in the production of varieties of road surface. Admixture for strengthening C-3 is available in two versions:

• dry plasticizer for concrete, it is a beige-brown powder, which is introduced after careful dilution (optimal concentration 15-35 percent);
• concentrated liquid - a dense binder of dark brown color, constituting 30-36 percent of the active concentrate.

Features of the plasticizer:

• the strength of adhesion increases to 40%, frost resistance is one and a half times more;
• water permeability is four times stronger;
• excellent hygroscopicity, reduces the use of liquid by up to 30%;
• savings reach 25%, which reduces the cash costs for the purchase of building materials;
• the additive counteracts corrosion of metal reinforcement;
• high-quality grip with a reinforced mesh;
• uniformity and reduction of the appearance of salts on the surface of the coating.

Concentrate based clutch preparation, best diluted in original packaging. Dosage at the rate of 1-2 liters per 100 kg of binder. The concentrate is diluted, and then successively poured into a concrete mixer until a homogeneous mass is obtained.

The method of preparation based on a dry additive consists of the following steps: the powder is diluted in warm water (25-30C), the optimal dose is 0.5-0.8% of the mass of cement. After dissolution, mixing is carried out, the action is instant. Simple dry preparation is done by mixing with a concrete mixer, based on one bucket of binder and two buckets of filler. With constant stirring, add 1 liter of the diluted suspension and 4 liters of water. For improved performance, two handfuls of fiber can be added. The resulting batch should have a heavy, fluffy consistency. Many follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Operational properties include:

• erection of large-scale structures from a monolith;
• production of reinforced concrete products;
• technologies for the production of tile material;
• floor base concreting.

When adding a substance to obtain the required strength, it is necessary to strictly observe the proportions.

Mixing the modifier completely depends on the intended purpose of the binder composition. For example:

• when erecting ceilings between the floors of a high-rise building, in the laying of main walls, when pouring a concrete floor, Portland cement is used. The ratio is 50 kg per half liter of concentrate suspension.
• pouring the foundation for the construction of buildings or for the production of dimensional structures, the calculation increases - 0.5-1l of super-plasticizer goes by 50 kg.
• the construction of structures of a small volume, can be performed according to the instructions, for one bucket of cement powder, 100 ml is enough.

The volume is determined by the specifics of the intended tasks: the scope of use, the brand and the constituent minerals of Portland cement. The optimal addition of the concentrate is determined empirically - by the method of samples. Builders add compound additives during the dry raw material preparation stage. You can also use another method, this is the introduction of powder into a moving container of a concrete mixer.

Material consumption, volumes and proportions

When adding liquid soap, you should be guided by the following calculation: 2 tbsp. l. substances on a bucket of cement. Often, experts replace soap with a product for dish washing... If lime is used instead of detergents, some experiments should be carried out to obtain stickiness and elasticity. So, when mixing the solution, you need to adhere to the proportions of 6: 1 (1 part of lime to 6 parts of the cement mixture).

When starting the production of tiles, do not forget about the introduction of a suitable plasticizer. Its type and properties are determined by the scope of work and financial capabilities. Before starting laying a tiled surface, they study the features of products from different brands, get acquainted with reviews and recommendations. If you want to achieve maximum savings, you can try creating a supplement yourself.

To prevent the appearance of a large amount of foam when adding additives, it is worth avoiding substances that create such an effect. You can also wait until the foam solution is flat and start mixing the components.

To simplify the work ahead, it is advisable to use a concrete mixer. If it is absent, you can use a shovel and a primitive container. With the help of simple improvised means, you can simplify the upcoming work and make a high-quality tile plasticizer.

Summing up

Before starting construction activities, it is useful to paint the entire scope of the proposed work. From it, you can immediately select those that will be carried out independently. The main emphasis should be placed on them: to read the literature, and also to study the range of building materials offered by the modern market.

Today, in addition to plasticizers, it is possible to purchase superplasticizers containing new substances. They have improved performance characteristics. The feasibility of their use is assessed based on the complexity of the structure and construction conditions.