Softener allows to receive strong and durable tie of floor. Reduces consumption of construction mix, does work with it of more comfortable. Softener gives to concrete layer plasticity and mobility.
Softener for tie – the highly active additive increasing the fluidity, durability of construction mix. It allows to make structure of structure homogeneous. Because of it there is change of physicomechanical properties of cement and sand structure.
Operation principle
Softener belongs to type of universal additives. In small amounts considerably improves strength characteristics of solution, gives to floor covering antifrosty properties. In addition plays role of inhibitor which can slow down oxidation processes. In the course of addition of highly active component in concrete of particle communicate among themselves. It leads to increase in density, reduction of amount of air time.
Depending on operation principle allocate two types of softeners:
- Differ in the increased wettability, increase plastic characteristics of concrete.
- Saturate concrete mix with the large volume of air. It reduces moisture tension in solution, increases plastic characteristics.
Assignment of softeners
Structures are necessary for economy of cement slurry. At addition of softeners it is possible to save on quantity of cement slurry. If to compare two structures (prepared with additives and without them), then the amount of the cement necessary for tie will be 14-17% lower.
Softener gives to concrete mobility and plasticity. What allows to apply structures to filling on big objects with use of the special equipment. Softeners are practically always added at construction of houses of monolithic type. At the same time durability remains at the appropriate level.
One more assignment – reduction of amount of moisture in solution. Thanks to it the design turns out frost-resistant, differs in additional firmness before clinking.
On sale it is possible to meet one more look – supersofteners. They are necessary if concrete solution is going to be exposed to long transportation in hot weather. With their help it is possible to achieve high mobility of concrete structure. The last becomes water-proof, elastic and strong.
For heat-insulated floors
If it is going to establish water or electric heat-insulated floors, it is difficult to do without softener. Especially if it is about laying of copper or other pipes. In such conditions the compression of layer can lead to emergence of leakages or rupture of system.
Due to the lack of softener in structure the filling can be uneven. Air bubbles will negatively affect heat conductivity of layer. Damage of thermal system can arise because of insufficient temperature plasticity.
Structure and types of softeners
There are several types of material differing in the structure:
- It is completely prepared for use. It is mixed before work, added in necessary quantity.
- Has big effective life because of absence as a part of water.
- On the basis of polymeric substances. Gives to tie the reinforcing effect that leads to increase in durability of solution, interferes with cracking.
- Allows to keep material properties at low temperatures.
Softeners and the structure differ. If they have organic origin, then most often it is about production from waste of the oil industry, wood processing and agrochemistry. Softeners of inorganic origin contain in structure different chemicals in the form of formaldehydes.
On sale there are softeners of different look. Many masters pay attention to structure, giving preference to types as a part of which is:
- formalin;
- sulphuric acid;
- defoamer;
- components on the basis of phenols.
Some producers keep formula secret to avoid copying by competitors. Before the choice of the best softener attentively study its structure and technical characteristics. In it there should not be volatiles hazardous to health.
Expense
The correct calculation of components will allow to achieve good result. For improvement of durability the components are added in small amount, but at the device of heat-insulated floor the indicator increases several times. For obtaining qualitative result attentively observe the instruction placed by the producer on the label. You watch that the total amount of additives did not exceed 10% of the total amount of solution for tie.
That the covering was strong, height of tie has to be in the range from 3 to 7 cm. The smaller layer will not be suitable for essential loadings, and too big will render essential load of overlapping.
It is simple to calculate consumption of softener. On one bag of CPS from 0.15 to 0.2 l leave. Actually 150-200 ml of solution are the share of each 50 kg. However it is necessary to consider that at addition of special substances the volume of cement will decrease by 10-15%.
In the conclusion we will note: softeners are applied as on essential construction sites when filling multi-storey buildings, and in private housing construction. Their application allows to lower amount of water, to make tie more durable and reliable. The most effective, according to builders, are supersofteners. With their help it is possible to achieve concrete structure, ideal on quality, to save cement for 20%.