Concrete Additives | Image Resource : icfconcreteadditives.com
 

The constructions that happen all over the world are always in need of materials that will help in increasing the longevity of the buildings and these include the concrete additives. Concrete additives actually form an important part of the construction projects because most of the engineers depend upon them for their high performance.
 
Most of the concrete additives consist of silica which is the main ingredient in these products. When these additives are added to the mixture of water and cement it helps in increasing the performance and the durability of the concrete. The concrete additives either come in liquid or powder form.
 

1. Accelerating additives: The concrete additives that help in the increasing of the hydration process of the cement are referred to as the accelerating additives. This additive is commonly used in the construction projects of the colder countries since they help in the modification of the properties of cement. Calcium chloride is a common example of an accelerating additive.

2. Water-reducing: Any of the concrete additives that help in reducing the water quantity in order to make a slump of concrete or helps in reducing the ratio of the cement and water or even reduces the cement content is a water-reducing concrete additive. This is quite useful when a large construction project is at hand.

3. Shrinkage reduction: These additives are mainly used during the construction projects of the bridge decks, floor plans and also in places where the cracks has to be reduced or minimized. This helps in increasing the aesthetics of the building and also increases durability.

4. Air-entrainment: These additives are mainly used in introducing the air bubbles to the construction projects. They also help in stabilizing them since they are microscopic in nature. The air-entrainment admixtures are made of a material called the surfactant that allows for the formation of the air bubbles with a diameter of less than 0.3mm.

5. Super plasticizers: The super plasticizer additives help in increasing the performance of the concrete as compared to the normal plasticizers. They are also referred to as the High Range Water Reducer.

6. Corrosion Inhibiting: The admixtures that are used in reducing the chlorine salts are known as the corrosion inhibiting admixtures. They are mostly used in the bridges, parking structures and a number of the marine structures. The chloride salts can lead to corroding the steel which is why these additives are used.

Concrete additives are generally found in ready to use format. They are used during the making of the concrete mixture before the construction starts. With the advent of so many new additives, construction of buildings has become much easier than what it used to be.