Batimix VMA 510

Description

BATIMIX VMA 510 is a ready-to-use liquid admixture designed to modify the viscosity of fresh concrete. When used in conjunction with superplasticizer agents, highly flowable and self-consolidating concrete mixes can be successfully produced without bleeding or segregation.

Main Purpose

BATIMIX VMA 510 enhances the cohesiveness of highly flowable concrete. It reduces hardening. Its water-soluble polymers are characterized by their long-chains of complex forms, which adhere to the periphery of mixing water molecules in a cement paste. The chains intertwine and develop attractive forces through hydrogen bonds and polymer entanglements. This results in increased plastic viscosity and yield stress even in mixtures with high water-cement ratios. Applications include all types of concrete castings, with and without steel reinforcements. These include highly flowable concrete, self-consolidating concrete, and shotcrete.

Features

Concrete prepared with BATIMIX VMA 510 is characterized by the following:

In the plastic state:

• Greatly reduced bleeding and segregation
• Increased cohesiveness with fewer risks of mixture constituents separating
• Improved stability of fresh concrete during casting and thereafter
• Thixotropic action, providing enhanced homogeneity
• Sag-resistance in shotcrete applications
• When used along with a superplasticizer in a highly flowable self-consolidating concrete, vibration may be eliminated

In the hardened state:

• At normal dosages, no detrimental effect on setting time
• Improved durability and better surface quality

Properties

• Appearance: brown liquid
• Specific gravity: around 1.01 at 23 ºC
• Chloride content: nil
• Alkali content: typically less than 1% as Na₂O
• Air entrainment: less than 1% increase at normal dosages

Health and Safety

BATIMIX VMA 510 is not considered a hazardous product. However, it should not be swallowed or allowed to come into contact with skin and eyes. Suitable gloves and goggles should be worn. For additional information, kindly refer to the product’s Material Safety Data Sheet.

Standard compliance

BATIMIX VMA 510 complies with EN 934-2:T4 and BS 8443:2005 requirements.

Dosage Rates

BATIMIX VMA 510 is generally used in conjunction with a superplasticizer to secure the required concrete workability without additional water. Its optimum dosage and its effect on the fresh concrete properties such as workability, bleeding, segregation, and slump retention is best determined by trials using the actual mix composition with site materials under field conditions. As a guide to such trials, the addition rates shall vary from 0.2% to 1% of the cementitious materials.

Effect of Overdosing

An overdose of BATIMIX VMA 510 will result in highly sticky and viscous material requiring significantly higher dosages of superplasticizer to ensure concrete workability. This, in its turn, will delay setting times and decrease strength development especially after 24 hours. Provided adequate curing is applied, the ultimate strength will not be impaired by such setting retardation.

Compatibility

BATIMIX VMA 510 is compatible with all other Batimix admixtures incorporated in the same concrete. It should not be pre-mixed with other admixture as this may alter its performance. During batching, the admixtures should be added separately to the concrete mix. The performance of various admixtures on the fresh and hardened concrete properties should be assessed using trial tests.

BATIMIX VMA 510 is compatible with all types of Portland cement and replacement materials such as silica fume, fly ash, and blast furnace slag.

Dispensing

Accurate and reliable automatic dispensing systems should be used to introduce the correct quantity of BATIMIX VMA 510 in the concrete mixer. This product should not be directly added on the dry cementitious particles. It should rather be introduced towards the end of mixing, i.e. after incorporating all of the mixing water and other chemical admixtures.

Typical batching sequence that may be used when producing highly-flowable self-consolidating concrete with BATIMIX VMA 510 is as follows:

1. air entraining admixture (optional)

2. set-modifying admixture (optional)

3. high-range water reducer

4. BATIMIX VMA 510

Technical Support

Holderchem provides, upon request, complete technical support and on-site assistance to enable correct and effective use of its products.

Storage

BATIMIX VMA 510 has a minimum shelf life of 12 months if kept unopened and stored at temperatures ranging from 2 to 50 ºC.

Packages

• 1 t IBC
• 200 kg drum