Silica Based Concrete Additives
Pros And Cons Of Silica Based Concrete Additives
Silica fume is the type of pozzolanic material that is used with the content of Portland cement in order to produce Portland pozzolana cement. It is the most common type of the concrete additives as it is composed of several benefits. As you would know, concrete is the most common material that is used in the construction of different building structures.
Concrete additives are available in various types and are used both for enhancing and suppressing the properties of the concrete. Certain additives directly affect the chemical reaction of the concrete. However, silica based concrete additives does not interfere with the reaction mechanism of the concrete. It is the neutral organic filler that has stable chemical and physical properties.
Concrete additives are available in various types and are used both for enhancing and suppressing the properties of the concrete. Certain additives directly affect the chemical reaction of the concrete. However, silica based concrete additives does not interfere with the reaction mechanism of the concrete. It is the neutral organic filler that has stable chemical and physical properties.
Certain pros and cons of silica based concrete additives one should know
PROS
- The silica fumes are quite easy to mix with the concrete and have better absorption performance. Due to good infiltration properties, it is used for various kinds of resins.
- The main purpose of using silica based concrete admixtures is to enhance the tensile strength, impact strength, wear resistance and compressive strength of the mixture.
- The size of the particles are quite fine thereby reducing or eliminating the process of stratification and precipitation.
- Silica fume is generally composed of silica or silicon dioxide which is basically an inert metal. Hence, it does not react with the acid or base content of the concrete.
- It even shortens the induction period and is possessed with the characteristic of early strength.
CONS
- The silica based concrete additives have high shrinkage rate which usually dries the structure easily and often causes cracks in it. This consequently affects the overall strength of the structure.
- The workability is the considerable parameter in the concrete mixes. As the workability of the silica fumes is poor, it makes the construction process quite difficult.
- The early strength develops quickly in silica fumes concrete. This consequently produces the temperature cracks easily due to uneven heat dissipation.
Appropriately use silica based concrete admixtures with all tips
Every nano particles has its own pros and cons. Silica fumes too is composed of several pros and cons. When one is using it as a concrete additive, one should particularly check whether it would degrade its quality or not. The quantity which you are using should not particularly deteriorate the overall structure. Make it cost effective rather a heavy investment in the future.