The drying properties of a new material when mixed with concrete

Important results from the project

The material from Disruptive Materials was mixed in mortar to investigate if faster drying can be achieved. The behavior of the material in contact with water showed that mixture in mortar or concrete is impossible without changing the hydrophilic properties of the material. After changing the hydrophilic properties of the material and mixed with mortal, no direct beneficial change of the drying was observed. The study indicates that new validation of the possibilities of using the material needs to be done and should include better methods to of changing the hydrophilic properties.

Expected long term effects

The material shows very hydrophilic properties when mixed with water. The absorption of 30-35 wt% occurs immediately. The absorption properties of the material need to be changed in order to achieve a slower uptake, why the material was mixed with a hydrophobic substance. Mortar mixtures were produced, and the shrinkage, weight, and moisture content were measured during two month. The study shows no observed effect of faster drying of the mortal when mixed with the material. New methods for changing the hydrophilic properties of the material need to be developed.

Approach and implementation

The study shows that the tests conducted are well suited for the evaluation of the effect from adding an additive of supposed early drying properties in mortar and concrete. However, the results of the study showed no positive effect from the additive used, although a methodology for mixing the additive into mortar and concrete has been established. Greater efforts should have been made early in the project to accomplish a better way of passivating the adsorptive properties of the additive during mixing, and the first day, while maintaining its adsorptive capability at later stages.