Construction chemicals

Phosphonates have a wide variety of applications in the industry. One of their main applications in construction is as set retarders, although they can also be used as a plasticisers. In many cases, a significant amount of time passes before the concrete is placed, either because it has to be transported over long distances or because the concrete placement conditions on site are slow.

Phosphonates can also help improve freeze-thaw resistance and salt resistance in cements, for example in high-temperature oil and gas well cementing operations.
The affinity of phosphonates to metallic surfaces leads to corrosion-inhibiting properties for reinforcement in reinforced concrete, but it can also positively influence the gas evolution from aluminum grit in the production of aerated concrete.

Certain phosphonates retard the setting of gypsum, an effect that extends the variety of possible applications. Zschimmer & Schwarz offers a wide range of phosphonates capable of maintaining the workability of concrete and gypsum for an extended period of time.

Phosphonates recommended as set retarders and plasticisers:

• Solid products
  • CUBLEN E 34135 P
  • CUBLEN K 9012 GR / K 8514 GR
• Liquid products
  • CUBLEN A 4015
  • CUBLEN D 5012 / CUBLEN D 3217 N
  • CUBLEN E 3115
  • CUBLEN F 3016
  • CUBLEN K 3014
  • CUBLEN P 4014
  • CUBLEN PEP 556

Surfactants are chemical compounds capable of reducing the surface tension between two phases. They are able to stabilise air bubbles within the concrete structure, providing a more fluid consistency, which is used to reduce water requirements. In addition, their application provides an improvement of different properties of the concrete, such as an increase in workability, durability, and thermal conductivity, together with a reduction in segregation and bleeding. Zschimmer & Schwarz offers a range of anionic surfactants capable of providing these properties in concrete.

Anionic and nonionic surfactants recommended as air-entraining agents:

• PRODUKT EIAE 1460
• PRODUKT EIAE 1470
• PRODUKT EIAE 1480
• PRODUKT EIAE 1490

The water-cement ratio is a parameter that significantly affects the properties of concrete. Reducing the amount of water results in increased flexural and compressive strength, greater resistance to environmental conditions and a reduced tendency to shrinkage cracking. However, it also entails a loss of workability. There are several families of polymers synthesised to fluidise the mixture when added, thus compensating the workability loss caused by reducing water requirements. At Zschimmer & Schwarz, we offer several families of polymers capable of reducing the water requirements in the concrete mix.

Polymers recommended as water reducers:

• PRODUKT EIP 1370
• PRODUKT EIP 1380
• PRODUKT EIP 1390

Esters are used to prevent a material from adhering to a surface by providing a barrier between the surface of the mold and the substrate. In this way, removal and cleaning of the substrate are facilitated. Zschimmer & Schwarz offers a wide range of oils for this application.

Esters recommended as mold release agents:

• PRODUKT EIMR 1400
• PRODUKT EIMR 1410
• PRODUKT EIMR 1420
• PRODUKT EIMR 1430
• PRODUKT EIMR 1440
• PRODUKT EIMR 1450

In some cases, the setting time of concrete and gypsum has to be delayed. For example, concrete placement conditions may be slow on a particular building site, or concrete may need to be transported long distances before being placed.  At Zschimmer & Schwarz, we offer a range of set retarders that increase the setting time to guarantee the workability of concrete, without affecting the rest of its properties. In addition, the corrosion-inhibiting properties of certain set retarders can be beneficial.

Discover our range of setting retarders:

• Solid products
  • CUBLEN E 34135 P
  • CUBLEN K 9012 GR / K 8514 GR
• Liquid products
  • CUBLEN A 4015
  • CUBLEN D 5012 / CUBLEN D 3217 N
  • CUBLEN E 3115
  • CUBLEN F 3016
  • CUBLEN K 3014
  • CUBLEN P 4014
  • CUBLEN PEP 556

Although the main application of air-entraining agents is to increase the durability of concrete, there are other benefits such as an increase in workability and thermal conductivity, together with a reduction in bleeding and segregation. In addition, integrating air bubbles into the structure makes it possible to modify the consistency of the mix, thus reducing the need for water in the concrete. This allows a greater amount of cement to be added to the mix, thereby increasing its strength. At Zschimmer & Schwarz, we have a wide range of anionic and nonionic surfactants, which are used as air-entraining agents.

In addition to surfactants, phosphonates can also be used as air-entraining agents. The reason for this is that the affinity of phosphonates for metal surfaces can positively influence the gas evolution of aluminum grit in the production of aerated concrete.

Discover our air-entraining agents:

• PRODUKT EIAE 1460
• PRODUKT EIAE 1470
• PRODUKT EIAE 1480
• PRODUKT EIAE 1490

Many properties of concrete are determined by the water-cement ratio. By reducing the amount of water, concrete acquires greater flexural and compressive strength, reduced permeability, greater resistance to environmental conditions, and a lower tendency to shrinkage cracking. On the other hand, it also causes problems such as reduced workability. Zschimmer & Schwarz offers several polymers that can be used as water reducers. They increase the fluidity of the concrete, thus compensating for the loss of workability caused by water reduction. Plasticisers like phosphonates can also help optimise the amount of water required. 

Discover our water reducers:

• PRODUKT EIP 1370
• PRODUKT EIP 1380
• PRODUKT EIP 1390

Mold release agents are compounds used in different industries to prevent a material from adhering to a surface. The compounds provide a barrier between the mold surface and the substrate, preventing adhesion and thus facilitating removal and cleaning of the substrate. Zschimmer & Schwarz offers a wide range of products for this application.

Discover our mold release agents:

• PRODUKT EIMR 1400
• PRODUKT EIMR 1410
• PRODUKT EIMR 1420
• PRODUKT EIMR 1430
• PRODUKT EIMR 1440
• PRODUKT EIMR 1450