All categories
Featured selections
Trade Assurance
Buyer Central
Help Center
Get the app
Become a supplier
(543 products available)
BASF admixtures are chemicals added to concrete mixtures to improve the performance and durability of the concrete. Admixtures can be grouped into different categories according to their uses.
Water Reducing Admixtures
Water-reducing admixtures decrease the amount of water used in a concrete mixture. Reducing the level of water increases the strength of the concrete. With the increased strength, concrete becomes more durable and long-lasting. This kind of concrete is also called a plasticizer. There are different types of water-reducing admixtures. They include:
Traditional Water Reducers: These are the most commonly used water-reducing admixtures. They reduce the water content by about 5 to 10 percent. This leads to higher compressive strength.
High-Range Water Reducers: These water-reducing admixtures reduce water content by 20 to 40 percent. They are also called superplasticizers. They are used in making high-strength concrete mixtures.
Retarding Admixtures
Retarding admixtures reduce the setting time of concrete. This allows for a longer period of work, especially in hot weather conditions. They also help to control the hydration process in warm climates.
Accelerating Admixtures
Accelerating admixtures are used to increase the setting time of concrete. This is useful in areas with low temperatures. Accelerating admixtures can also be used when a project needs to be completed quickly.
Air-Entraining Admixtures
Air-entraining admixtures improve the workability of concrete. They introduce tiny air bubbles into the concrete mixture. This makes the concrete more workable and easier to finish. Air-entraining admixtures are mostly used to make concrete that can survive in harsh weather conditions.
Silica Fume Admixtures
Silica fume admixtures are pozzolanic admixtures. They improve the strength and durability of concrete. Silica fume is a byproduct of producing silicon metal or ferrosilicon alloys. This admixture is used when there is a need for high-strength concrete.
Lignosulfonate Admixtures
Lignosulfonate admixtures are also pozzolanic. They are made from the waste product of the paper industry. These admixtures are used to increase the workability of concrete.
BASF admixtures for concrete enhance the performance of concrete in construction. These admixtures are used to produce high-strength concrete with different functions.
Water Reducing Admixtures
These types of admixtures reduce mixing water and improve workability. Reduced mixing water means that more concrete can be produced with the same amount of cementitious materials. This concrete is also easier to work with. There are two types of water-reducing admixtures: low-range and high-range admixtures.
Retarding Admixtures
These admixtures slow down the setting time of concrete. They are used in hot weather conditions when concrete sets too quickly. Retarding admixtures improve workability and prevent cold joints in massive pours.
Accelerating Admixtures
Accelerating admixtures reduce the setting time of concrete. They are used when early strength gain is needed. For instance, in projects with tight schedules. Accelerating admixtures are used in cold weather to prevent freezing.
Air-Entraining Admixtures
These admixtures create microscopic air bubbles in the concrete. The air bubbles improve the durability of concrete in freeze-thaw cycles. Air-entrained concrete is used in pavements and exposed structures.
Superplasticizers
Superplasticizers are high-range water-reducing admixtures. They are used to produce high-strength and high-performance concrete. Superplasticizers increase workability and reduce the water-cement ratio significantly. They are essential in producing precast concrete elements and reinforced concrete structures.
Fibrous Admixtures
These admixtures incorporate fibers into the concrete. The fibers improve crack resistance and tensile strength. Common fibers used as admixtures include steel fibers, polypropylene fibers, and nylon fibers.
BASF MasterGlenium Admixtures
These are advanced high-performance admixtures. They offer tailored solutions for different construction needs. For instance, underground structures, mass concrete pours, and high-rise buildings.
Admixtures for concrete are used in various scenarios to improve the performance, durability, and workability of concrete in construction projects. Here are some common scenarios where concrete admixtures are applied:
Accelerated Setting and Strength Gain
Cold Climate Construction: Admixtures are used in cold weather conditions to accelerate setting time and strength gain. This allows concrete to cure faster in low temperatures.
Rapid Construction Projects: Accelerating admixtures are used when quick strength development is required, for example, in bridge decks or temporary structures.
Waterproof Concrete
Water Treatment Plants: Admixtures create waterproof concrete suitable for construction projects that require water-resistant concrete, such as tanks and basements.
Basements and Below-Ground Structures: These admixtures are used in the construction of basements and below-ground structures to keep them dry and maintain structural integrity.
Hot Weather Concrete
Preventing Excessive Water Evaporation: Hot weather concrete admixtures are used in hot weather conditions to minimize water evaporation and control setting time. The result is workable concrete with the desired strength.
Controlling Setting Time: These admixtures can also be used to control the setting time of concrete in hot weather to prevent rapid evaporation of mixing water.
Improved Workability and Durability
High-Performance Concrete: Admixtures such as superplasticizers and pozzolans are used to enhance workability and reduce water content. This results in high-performance concrete with high compressive strength.
Long-lasting Structures: Workability enhancers such as silica fume or fly ash are used to produce durable concrete for structures like dams, bridges, and parking garages.
Controlled Shrinkage and Expansion
Preventing Cracking: Shrinkage-reducing admixtures are used to minimize shrinkage and crack development in large concrete slabs, such as pavements and airport runways.
Controlling Expansion: Controlled-expansion admixtures are used in concrete for structures that require a specific amount of expansion, such as certain types of precast elements.
Workability
The construction project involves pouring concrete on different structures. Choosing an admixture that enhances concrete workability is important. This ensures the concrete is easily workable or moldable into complex structures.
Reduced water ratio
Basf concrete admixtures reduce the water ratio in a mix. This results in strong and durable concrete, which is vital for any construction project.
Enhanced setting and curing time
Some projects require quick concrete setting and curing. Therefore, choosing a concrete admixture with the right properties is important to achieve this. Alternatively, some projects need slow curing and setting times. This can be done by adding retarders to the concrete mix.
Enhanced durability
Every construction project aims to create structures that can withstand harsh weather and environment conditions over time. Therefore, it is important to choose a concrete admixture that enhances the durability of the structures.
Compatibility
It is important to ensure that the concrete admixture is compatible with the other materials in the mix. For instance, cement types, aggregates, and other additives. This ensures the desired performance is achieved.
Type of construction project
Different types of construction projects require different concrete properties. For example, residential buildings, bridges, dams, and high-rise structures. This means the right concrete admixture should be chosen depending on the type of project.
Environmental conditions
Environmental conditions also influence the choice of concrete admixture. For example, extreme weather conditions like hot, cold, and windy temperatures. Also, environmental factors like soil conditions and water table levels.
Q1: What is the purpose of an admixture?
A1: Admixtures are used to improve the properties of concrete. This includes workability, strength, durability, and resistance to water. Admixtures also help in the quick setting of concrete.
Q2: What is a water-reducing admixture?
A2: Water-reducing admixture is a type of chemical admixture added to fresh concrete. It reduces the amount of water without affecting the workability of concrete. This results in higher strength concrete mixes.
Q3: What is the difference between an additive and an admixture?
A3: Additives are used to modify the properties of concrete before it hardens. Admixtures, on the other hand, are used to enhance the characteristics of hardened concrete.
Q4: What are the negative effects of admixtures?
A4: Admixtures have some negative effects on concrete if used improperly. This includes shrinkage, cracking, bleeding, and delayed setting time. However, proper use of admixtures enhances the overall properties of concrete.
Q5: What are BASF admixtures?
A5: BASF admixtures are chemical admixtures that enhance the performance and durability of concrete. These admixtures include MasterRheobuild, MasterGlenium, and MasterPolyheed, among others.
