What Are Silica Based Concrete Additives?

Silica Based Concrete Additives
Silica Based Concrete Additives | Image Resource : i2.wp.com

Wet Cement along with the aggregate is mixed with several materials (natural or synthetic) that affect the different properties of the cement. The time required for the cement to set can be controlled (shortened or elongated), the concrete can be made more durable, cement can be made more workable, etc. Known as Concrete Additives, they are almost always acquired in liquid form (ready for use) and generally sent straight to the construction site.

Mixing these Additives requires the constant diligent supervision of a skilled civil engineer who must oversee the type of Additive used along with the method in which it is mixed. Now the main benefits of using Silica based Concrete Additive is the enhancement of the compressive strength and durability of the resultant structure. This particular type of Additive also retards corrosion owing to the chlorides present in the environment.

"Puzzolans" are the main ingredients of this type of Additive. They combine with the concrete and make it stronger by forming additional bonds, when the Calcium Hydroxide released (as water is added to the cement), starts reacting to the Puzzolans. The resultant concrete, when it finally sets, has much more compressive strength along with durability than other concrete(s), which do not have this added.

The Benefits and Uses

Silica Fumes, Fly Ash, Volcanic Ash, etc. are a few of the natural resources from where this type of Concrete Additive can be procured, as all of these have Puzzolans. Now Silica based Concrete Additives have several uses -

Firstly, they make the concrete's stability and workability, better. The Puzzolans in the Concrete Additive(s) that are silica based, help in creating a denser, homogenous paste with mortar, which leads to a greater compressive strength.

Secondly, this type of Additive is responsible for the prevention of Corrosion. Coastal and Marine structures are where Cement mixed with Silica - based Additives find it's maximum use, as it can withstand severe corrosive agents like Chlorides, keep a check on the number of cracks and ensure the weight-bearing capacity of the structure is not reduced. Almost all present day marine structures are built with this type of cement.

This type of Additive is responsible for pore erosion and hence heavily staggers the penetration of Chloride into the cement, delaying any Corrosion from Chlorides. Also the Silica in this type of Additive reduces the amount of Calcium Hydroxide and the permeability inside the cement, forming a dense near-impermeable pore structure and protecting it from Sulphate attack.

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