Emergence Of New Materials For Construction - Silicon Based Concrete Additives

Silicon Based Concrete Additives | Image Resource : microsilica-fume.com
 

When it comes to construction materials they are always exposed to negative impacts from the atmosphere which causes a lot of damage. The most unpopular material that has a negative impact on these constructions is definitely water. Most modern building materials are porous in nature which is why they have the ability to absorb water from the atmosphere which decreases their durability and strength.
 

Water penetrates through layers or surfaces of the walls and seeps into the capillaries, where a film gets formed through which gases that are corrosive in nature and also solids enter and get dissolved. This leads to the premature failure and the disruption of the structure of the material. In addition to that it also leads to the growth of microorganism that accelerates the destruction of these buildings.
 

The main factor however that accelerates the destruction of these buildings is the constant change between high and low temperatures. The moisture is absorbed by the materials of the building which reduces the durability of the structures greatly. This is the reason why these materials largely lose their insulating properties leading to additional heat loss and then consequent consumption of the same.
 

Chemical additives are therefore added to increase the durability of the concrete. This also shields the building from absorbing additional moisture and blocks the penetration of water.
 

Two types of treatment to weather proof buildings with silicon additives –

 

• Volumetric treatment where chemicals are added at their production stage.
• Surface treatment of the previously produced materials.

 

Now a days volumetric treatment is the one that is mostly preferred. The most effective and the easiest way to use are silicon based compounds added to the concrete that are water repellent in nature. The volumetric treatment is used due to it being less costly in nature and more efficient than surface treatment. The silicone compounds form strong covalent bonds with the material that is under process.

 

Advantages of using silicone based concrete additives

 

• The first and foremost use of silicone based concrete additives is its property of stopping the penetration of water into the material which increases the durability of the building in the long run.
• It also helps in the increase of the thermal insulation of the layers or the surfaces of the buildings.
• Using silicone based materials also greatly increases the durability and the longevity of the buildings.
• These additives also increase the corrosion resistance and the frost resistance of the buildings. Sometimes it may happen that due to temperature regulation between hot and cold weather the buildings can get weak which is why the longevity of these buildings decreases. Using of silicon based concrete additives decreases the chances of that happening in the first place.
• It increases the strength of the material greatly.
• It helps in the stopping of the growth of microorganisms like bacteria and lichens on the surface of the buildings or materials which decreases the durability of the buildings.
• It also reduces the consumption of the cement greatly.
• It protects the materials from salt stains.