Now, tilt-up slab and site-precast concrete construction techniques complete construction quickly. So construction hours are reduced. Bond breakers allow the concrete to separate from each other without compromising the strength or appearance of the concrete.
Therefore, contractors can complete the construction work of the building structure better and faster using the precast concrete unit. This includes the construction of structures such as warehouses, manufacturing plants, schools, hospitals, offices, and residences.
Most bond breakers are designed to provide curing compounds to the top sides of casting slabs or molds and precast members.
What Are Bond Breakers?
Bond breakers are products developed by an engineer. It is used to easily separate two surfaces. It mostly uses wax, petroleum-based substances, or grease. But these chemicals change the characteristics of the surface by the chemical reaction with the surface on which they are applied.
Bond breakers are used more in precast units. It is used in precast units to remove precast from the formwork. It also provides enough strength to lift and move pieces of precast.
Bond breakers are applied to the surface of the formwork so that the concrete precast can be easily separated from the formwork. It is used in special formwork in precast products such as cement pipes, concrete blocks, U-shaped drains, etc.
Precast products like concrete pipe, and u-shape drain are loaded into the truck using equipment like a crane. This product is then unloaded on the site. Bond breakers are commonly used in tilt-up walls and concrete precast units.
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Purpose of Providing Bond Breaker
- It is used to ensure that there is no adhesive molecular bond between the two surfaces.
- It is used to eliminate cracking in the slab due to temperature changes.
- In addition, it is applied to the concrete surface to reduce the cracking of the slab due to changes in atmospheric humidity.
- Once the bond breaker is applied to the surface, then once the concrete is poured, the concrete will develop as its own separate property.
- Bond breakers are available in the market in various forms, such as liquids, taps, rods, and sprays.
- Using a bond breaker can extend the life of the formwork.
- To ensure the top surface of the precast members, bond breakers are commonly used.
Bond Breaker Materials
Construction is on the rise nationally and internationally. Along with this growth, the use of bond breakers has also increased. This article will help you dispel some myths about the proper use of bond-breaking products. This article can help you follow the good production and construction process.
The materials used for bond breaker are classified into several forms which are as follows
- Liquid.
- Spray.
- Rods.
- Taps.
1. Liquid
Liquid bond breakers are mostly petroleum-based materials used. This type of bond breaker is used more for manufacturing concrete products.
This type of bond breaker is used to increase the efficiency of the mold for precast. Various bond breakers like Nox-Crete, Crete Lease, J6 Surelift, Reid, and Dayton Superior can be used in concrete bond breakers.
2. Spray
This is a spray-type bond breaker. Which is sprayed between two surfaces of concrete. So that cracks in concrete can be minimized.
3. Rods
Rods are used in this type of bond breaker. Rods are fixed between two adjacent surfaces of concrete. So that a joint can be provided in concrete.
4. Bond Breaker Tape
The use of this type of bond breaker can preserve the characteristics of the concrete surface. Other elements can be used to give an architectural effect. 3m bond breaker tape is used in construction.
5. Aquaband Bond Breaker
Aquaband Bond Breaker is an innovative detailing system for waterproofing and sealing all types of joints, junctions, and areas subject to movement. It has a high expansion, crash resistance, and up to 100% elastic material
What Is Bond Breaker Tape?
Bond breaker tape is black polypropylene tape that provides an option to break the bond of the sealant between the joints between the surfaces of the concrete.
5.5 mil Low-Density Polyethylene Film Tape is frequently used after installing anchor rods in concrete to prevent cracks in the concrete surface. It has excellent moisture barrier properties, UV resistant, has long-term stability, and will not crack or crease the tape at low temperatures. Its adhesive system provides high adhesion and integration with concrete. It is a highly compatible and resistant material to chemical spoilage.
Bond breaker tape is easily available in widths like 15mm, 20mm, 25mm, 50mm etc.
What Is Concrete Bond Breaker?
Bond breaker concrete forms a sheet-like structure between two surfaces of concrete. So that the surfaces of the concrete work independently.
A bond breaker is a separator applied between surfaces of concrete. It is placed to ensure that there is no adhesive molecular bond between the surfaces. Bond breakers are used in key components required for tilt-up construction. Which can be cost-effective and time-saving for large structures.
In addition, they enable the precast unit to lift and move after it has been created to the desired shape. It prevents cracks in the concrete slab due to variations in temperature and humidity. In addition, it helps to avoid cracks in some applications such as tilt wall panels. The concrete bond breaker forms a kind of coating by chemical processing with the surface of the concrete.
A concrete bond breaker is a water-based bond breaker. It is poured concrete panels on top of each other. This is done to prevent its surface from sticking or bonding together.
Type of Concrete Bond Breaker
The two main categories of bond breakers can be membrane formation and non-membrane formation. In simple language, one is called water-based, and the other is called non-water-based.
Water-based indicates that water is the main contributor to the bond broker. Waterless materials include petroleum distillation, i.e., mineral infusions, essential oils, etc.
1. Membrane Forming
Silcoseal Advantage is a water-based bond breaker. Used for tilt-up, and precast construction projects. When a Silcoseal advantage is applied to the surface of concrete, the concrete reacts with the hydration process and consequently prevents the surfaces from sticking.
To help the concrete mixing water provide proper cement hydration and concrete treatment, this bond breaker is used. This bond breaker increases the strength of the concrete surface and reduces cracking.
2. Non-Membrane Forming
Non-membrane forming bond breakers are divided into two types. These are known as reactive types and non-reactive types. Fatty acids are used as stearates as a reactive bond-breaking material.
The reactive bond breaker will react with the concrete and produce crude soap. It will stick with the concrete surface and produce a waterproof surface.
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Advantage of Bond Breaker
- The efficiency of formwork can be increased. And formwork can be reused.
- Using a bond breaker can easily reduce the time to clean the formwork.
- Using it can reduce the amount of time required to move loads.
- Using a bond breaker on scheduled surfaces of concrete treats those surfaces as separate units.
- It is used to ensure that there is no adhesive molecular bond between the two surfaces.
- It is used to eliminate cracking in the slab due to temperature changes.
- In addition, it is applied to the concrete surface to reduce the cracking of the slab due to changes in atmospheric humidity.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Bond Breaker Tape
Most tapes used as ‘bond breakers’ are made of polymer films such as PTFE and polyethylene. Polyethylene bond breaker tape is mainly used in joint cavities where the sealant is very shallow or in other situations where it is undesirable for the sealant to stick to a certain surface.
How Bond Breakers Work?
Bond breakers are civil engineered products that form a membrane between the surfaces of concrete. In addition, it allows to easily separate surfaces in precast concrete production.
Bond breakers are used on concrete surfaces to reduce the cracking of slabs due to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. It avoids compression cracks on tilt-up walls. Bond breakers are applied to surfaces to which concrete is poured by the monolithic slab method.
Concrete Bond-Breaker
Bond breaker concrete is a water based bond breaker. The bond breaker chemical forms a smooth membrane that allows the concrete to be poured directly on top of the second slab without sticking. Various bond breakers like Nox-Crete, Crete Lease, J6 Surelift, Reid, and Dayton Superior can be used in concrete bond breakers.
Can You Use Polyurethane as a Bond Breaker?
Polyurethane sealants are known as fillet joints. They are not bond breakers. It does not allow surfaces that are subject to movement to separate.
What Is a Non-Reactive Bond Breaker?
A non-reactive bond breaker bonds with a concrete surface to create a waterproof surface. Bond breakers are usually designed for curing compounds to slab and precast members. But the use of chemical curing compounds prevents the proper operation of bond breakers.
Why Are Bond Breakers Used in Formwork?
Bond breakers are used to extend the life of formwork. A bond breaker is applied to the surface of the formwork before pouring concrete into the precast concrete. Now, bond breakers are being used more and more in construction.