Concrete mix having anti-efflorescence properties and method of making concrete using the same
A concrete mix useful for producing concrete products having anti-efflorescence properties and a method for making such concrete products are provided. The concrete mix includes a hydraulic cement binder, aggregates and as an additive an ultrafine particulate material including carrier particles being surface treated with an efflorescence control agent. The method for making concrete includes a first step of mixing the hydraulic cement binder, aggregates, water and the ultrafine particulate material, a second step of pouring the mixture so obtained into a form, and a third step of curing the mixture.
1. A concrete mix comprising a hydraulic cement binder, aggregates and an ultrafine particulate material, wherein the ultrafine particulate material is a ground calcium carbonate surface treated with an efflorescence control agent, wherein the surface treated calcium carbonate has a medium particle size of 1.4 microns, with a variation of ±10%, and a BET specific area of 5.5 m 2 /g, wherein the efflorescence control agent is calcium stearate, zinc stearate, sodium stearate, butyl stearate, stearic acid, a stearic acid derivative, a stearic acid salt, a tall oil fatty acid, a vegetable or animal fat, an emulsion based on white grease, a silicone compound, a siliconate, a siloxane, a wax, a wax emulsion, a soap, a mineral oil, a paraffin, or a bitumen.
2. The concrete mix of claim 1 , wherein the ultrafine particulate material is present in an amount representing up to 15%, with a variation of ±10%, of the weight of the hydraulic cement binder within the mix.
3. The concrete mix of claim 1 , wherein the efflorescence control agent is a calcium stearate, zinc stearate, sodium stearate, butyl stearate, stearic acid, a stearic acid derivative, a stearic acid salt, a tall oil fatty acid, a vegetable or animal fat, an emulsion based on white grease, a silicone compound, a siliconate, a siloxane, a wax, a wax emulsion, a mineral oil, a paraffin, or a bitumen.
4. The concrete mix of claim 1 , wherein the efflorescence control agent is stearic acid.
5. The concrete mix of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic cement binder is Portland cement.
6. A method of making concrete with anti-efflorescence properties comprising the steps of:
a. mixing a hydraulic cement binder, aggregates, water, and an ultrafine particulate material, wherein the ultrafine particulate material is a ground calcium carbonate surface treated with an efflorescence control agent, wherein the surface treated calcium carbonate has a medium particle size of 1.4 microns, with a variation of ±10%, and a BET specific area of 5.5 m 2 /g, and wherein the efflorescence control agent is calcium stearate, zinc stearate, sodium stearate, butyl stearate, stearic acid, a stearic acid derivative, a stearic acid salt, a tall oil fatty acid, a vegetable or animal fat, an emulsion based on white grease, a silicone compound, a siliconate, a siloxane, a wax, a wax emulsion, a soap, a mineral oil, a paraffin, or a bitumen;
b. pouring the mixture of step a) into a form; and
c. curing the mixture.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the ultrafine particulate material is present in an amount representing up to 15%, with a variation of ±10%, of the weight of the hydraulic cement binder within the mix.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the efflorescence control agent is a calcium stearate, zinc stearate, sodium stearate, butyl stearate, stearic acid, a stearic acid derivative, a stearic acid salt, a tall oil fatty acid, a vegetable or animal fat, an emulsion based on white grease, a silicone compound, a siliconate, a siloxane, a wax, a wax emulsion, a mineral oil, a paraffin, or a bitumen.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the efflorescence control agent is stearic acid.
10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the hydraulic cement binder is Portland cement.
11. A method of reducing efflorescence in a concrete product obtained from a concrete mix, the method comprising introducing as an additive into the concrete mix an ultrafine particulate in an amount effective to reduce efflorescence in a concrete product obtained from the concrete mix, wherein the concrete mix comprises a hydraulic cement binder and aggregates, wherein the ultrafine particulate material is calcium carbonate surface treated with an efflorescence control, wherein the surface treated calcium carbonate has a medium particle size ranging from 1.4 to 3 μm and a BET specific area of less than 10 m 2 /g, and wherein the efflorescence control agent is calcium stearate, zinc stearate, sodium stearate, butyl stearate, stearic acid, a stearic acid derivative, a stearic acid salt, a tall oil fatty acid, a vegetable or animal fat, an emulsion based on white grease, a silicone compound, a siliconate, a siloxane, a wax, a wax emulsion, a soap, a mineral oil, a paraffin, or a bitumen.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the surface treated calcium carbonate has a medium particle size of about 1.4 microns, and a BET specific area of 5.5 m 2 /g.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the ultrafine particulate material is present in an amount representing up to 15%, with a variation of ±10%, of the weight of the hydraulic cement binder within the mixture.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the efflorescence control agent is a calcium stearate, zinc stearate, sodium stearate, butyl stearate, stearic acid, a stearic acid derivative, a stearic acid salt, a tall oil fatty acid, a vegetable or animal fat, an emulsion based on white grease, a silicone compound, a siliconate, a siloxane, a wax, a wax emulsion, a mineral oil, a paraffin, or a bitumen.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the efflorescence control agent is stearic acid.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the hydraulic cement binder is Portland cement.