How Much Will NCA Speed Up Your Concrete?
Winter and spring weather can make working with concrete extra challenging because colder temperatures slow down the hydration process which causes concrete to set up.? Having a concrete accelerator on hand is a great way to combat this problem, but you want to be sure you get the right product for the job.?
Different Accelerators
One of the most popular concrete accelerators is calcium chloride. Calcium chloride is easily accessible, affordable, and works quickly to speed up the set time.? Unfortunately, it is not the best choice for the concrete.? The chloride in the admixtures has been shown to promote efflorescence when exposed to alkaline environments - such as those found in coastal areas.? It also causes corrosion in steel reinforcements, which can eat away at the concrete.??
That’s why Fritz-Pak recommends our Non-Chloride Accelerator. This product works efficiently to speed up your concrete with the risk of discoloration or damage to the concrete in the future. We even experimented so you can see just how fast our product can be.?
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The Experiment
We started the experiment with a single batch of concrete, created with only cement, sand, and water.? Then we divided that batch into thirds.? We left the first third of the concrete alone to act as a control.? We added a 1% by weight of cement dose of NCA to the next portion of the mix.? To the final portion of the mix, we added 2% NCA. Then we put them outside on a chilly day.? When we started the experiment, the ambient temperature was 43 degrees with 40% humidity. We used a Vicat Needle to measure the set of each portion of the concrete mix every 30 minutes until all the concrete had achieved the initial set.
The Results
The portion of the mix with 2% NCA set up first after 3 hours and 30 mins. The portion of concrete with 1% NCA set up after 4 hours and 20 minutes, and the control batch was finally set up after 5 hours and 30 minutes.? This shows that a 2% dosage of NCA in your concrete load can speed up the setting time by nearly 40%.?
Learn More
If you would like to learn more about NCA and how it can benefit your cold-weather concrete projects, visit us online at fritzpak.com.? Don’t forget to follow our social media channels for more information about how our products can improve your concrete.