Batimix VMA 530

Description

BATIMIX VMA 530 is a pumping aid liquid admixture. It is used when pumping concrete over short or long distances.

Main Purpose

BATIMIX VMA 530 offers high resistance to forced bleeding. It prevents the de-watering of concrete under the pressure of pumping. It is characterized by long-chain water-soluble polymers of complex forms that can then intertwine and develop attractive forces through hydrogen bonds and polymer entanglements. It is used to enhance the cohesiveness and uniformity of flow during concrete pumping. Applications using BATIMIX VMA 530 include all types of pumped concrete and shotcrete used for casting structures with or without steel reinforcements.

Features

Concrete prepared with BATIMIX VMA 530 is characterized by the following:

In the plastic state:

• Greatly reduced bleeding and segregation
• Increased cohesiveness with fewer risks to the separation of mixture constituents during the pumping operations
• Improved stability of fresh concrete during casting and thereafter
• Thixotropic action, providing enhanced homogeneity
• Sag-resistance in shotcrete applications

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 : typically less than 1%

Health and Safety

BATIMIX VMA 530 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.

Compliance with Standards

BATIMIX VMA 530 complies with EN 934-2:T4 and BS 8443:2005 requirements.

Dosage Rates

BATIMIX VMA 530 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 forced bleeding and uniformity of flow during pumping should be determined by site trials using the actual mix composition. As a guide to such trials, the addition rates shall vary from 0.2% to 0.8% of the cementitious materials.

Effect of Overdosing

Concrete mixtures overdosed with BATIMIX VMA 530 will result in a highly sticky and viscous material requiring higher dosages of superplasticizer to ensure the required workability. This, in its turn, will significantly delay setting and decrease strength development especially after 24 hours. Provided that adequate curing is implemented, the ultimate strength will not be impaired by such setting retardations.

Compatibility

BATIMIX VMA 530 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 dispensed and 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 530 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 530 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 flowable pumped concrete with BATIMIX VMA 530 is as follows:

• air entraining admixture (optional)
• set-modifying admixture (optional)
• high-range water reducer
• BATIMIX VMA 530

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 530 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 metallic drum
• 20 kg metallic pail
• 4 kg metallic pail