RESISTANCE TO GASES AND LIQUIDSKalmatron®
encourages the formation of calcium sulfoaluminate crystals early in
the hydration process. The
crystals are too weak during their formation to grow into the
capillaries and are deflected to grow along the axis of the pores.
The end result is that a crystal shell forms around the
outside of the capillaries, without preventing them from venting to
the atmosphere. These
crystals are in themselves insoluble and chemically resistant. The calcium
sulfoaluminate crystals grow parallel to each other and look like
bundles of hexagonal fibers. The
gaps between the crystals are filled with an inter-crystal solution.
The density, volume and strength of the entire package depend
entirely on the density of the solution. When a liquid
penetrates the concrete, the solution is diluted causing the fiber
bundles to swell, and the volume of the package increases.
This action constricts the pores, effectively reducing their
diameter but not blocking them from the atmosphere.
The pores are now smaller than the diameter of a molecule.
The reduction of pore diameter produces three simultaneous
effects: I.
The artificially small pore diameter is now not much larger
than the diameter of a water molecule and produces a kind of
molecular sieve or filter that prevents ingress of large molecules
such as acids and oils. II. Reducing pore diameter increases the pressure of the liquids
and gasses inside the pores. This
produces a positive pressure against the further penetration of
gasses, water and any electrolytes they may carry. III. Liquids such as water, alkalis, acids, and oil products, are
unable to penetrate as their own tension prevents it. This process is a dynamic rather than static one, which allows the crystals to expand or contract. The pores, although very small, are always open to the atmosphere, thus preventing buildup of osmotic pressure within the concrete, which can have catastrophic results. More
technical information on a
multitude
of benefits achieved with KF-A can
be reviewed by viewing How
Kalmatron® Works. For
more test results, job site applications, detailed information,
please see KF-A. |
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