Novel polymer binders for concrete and construction applications from WACKER

Citation

(2013), "Novel polymer binders for concrete and construction applications from WACKER", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 60 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2013.12860cab.016

Novel polymer binders for concrete and construction applications from WACKER

Article Type: New materials and equipment From: Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Volume 60, Issue 3

At the European Coatings Show (ECS) in Nuremberg held in March 2013, the Munich-based WACKER Group showcased its latest polymer binders for concrete modification and environmentally sound construction applications. The new ETONIS^® 260 makes drainage concrete for road surfacing in railway tunnels durable yet water-permeable. This enables rescue vehicles and fire engines to get to the scene of an accident inside a tunnel quickly and without any problems. Furthermore, it facilitates the transport of moisture from the tunnel, significantly reduces the formation of puddles or backed-up water and makes the surface more durable overall. WACKER presented also the new VINNAPAS^® 5111 L, a VOC-reduced powder for the formulation of self-leveling flooring compounds that conform to strict eco-labeling requirements, such as EMICODE^® EC1+ or Blue Angel. With its VINNAPAS^® LL 5518 H, WACKER is introducing a particularly hydrophobic novel dispersible polymer powder for applications in damp rooms or out-doors.

At this year’s ECS, WACKER showcased the new ETONIS^® 260 for use in open-pored concrete roadways in railway tunnels for the first time. In the tunnels, the polymer-modified drainage concrete is spread beside and between the tracks to form a level, approximately 16-cm-thick layer, which is easy for vehicles to drive on. While tracks allow trains to quickly and safely glide through tunnels, they are often a hindrance for rescue vehicles and fire engines. The polymer-modified concrete surfaces now allow these vehicles to reach the scene of an accident inside a tunnel quickly and without any problems in the case of an emergency.

A special characteristic of the polymer-modified drainage concrete – which was developed together with HeidelbergCement AG – is its open-pored nature. The drainage concrete thus has many cavities and is water permeable. This facilitates the transport of moisture from the tunnel and significantly reduces the formation of puddles or backed-up water, especially near the tunnel entrance. This is also a considerable advantage when large amounts of water are used in firefighting.

The new ETONIS^® 260 optimizes the properties of both fresh and hardened concrete: fresh concrete is easier to process and compact and, thanks to an increase in viscosity, less prone to run through during concrete compaction. Additionally, the new polymer improves the non-sag properties and extends the fresh concrete’s processing window. In hardened concrete, ETONIS^® 260 significantly increases the flexural and tensile strength of the concrete surfacing and augments its resistance to frost and road salts. This results in far fewer cracks forming in the concrete, which makes the surface more hard-wearing and durable overall. The concrete’s adhesive properties also improve, so that it bonds firmly and reliably to the lower surfacing layer.

The drainage concrete is quicker to put down than prefabricated concrete slabs. Since it does not contain any joints, it also forms a smoother and more level surface that is better for driving on. The open-pored surface has another positive effect: the drainage concrete’s cavities absorb sound and thus contribute to noise pollution prevention. WACKER and HeidelbergCement already tested this property in a joint project in 2010, in which sound absorbers made of drainage concrete were incorporated around the tracks of a tram test section in Brussels.

Overall, the new concrete modified with ETONIS^® 260 is not just water permeable and quick to put down, but also extremely durable, stable and easy to handle and install – and thus ideal for road surfacing in road, tunnel and underground construction.

More information is available from: www.wacker.com