Dry-Cast Plasticizing Admixtures
Fresh, dry-cast concrete is harsh and sometimes resistant to flow freely and compact efficiently. Certain materials, mix designs, and mold configurations can be challenging from an operational perspective. Leaner mixtures that lack cohesion will benefit from products that add a degree of stickiness and available paste. They can produce swipe surface textures, reduce mold wear, and reduce or eliminate core-bar cracks in CMU production. ICT’s ConTec SP (ConTec SP-306) and Tech Shield 700 Series are most effective under these conditions.
Other mixtures can pose the opposite challenge being too cohesive (sticky). Fine aggregate blends, and/or an abundance of pan fines are the usual suspects here. In either instance, higher cement contents are necessary. This results in mix moisture sensitivity and a narrowed window of operation.
