Blogging about global concrete industry

Waterproofing Admixture to Improve Mortar

Written by Sarah Coull | Apr 17, 2013 10:15:15 PM

Krystol Mortar Admixture (KMA) is a specially designed chemical admixture for cementitious mortar. It contains a unique blend of specialty chemicals that react with the cementitious materials in the mortar to form hydration crystals. These needle-like crystals block the capillary pores and micro-cracks within the mortar to dramatically reduce permeability and water absorption of mortar rendering over brick, block and other masonry walls.

Key Benefits:

  • Provides water resistance without requiring a surface applied sealer
  • Reduces the overall cost
  • Improves durability
  • Improves resistance to cracking

Features:

  • Contains proven Krystol technology
  • Reduces water permeability
  • Reduces water absorption
  • Easy to use—simply added to the mix
  • Improves workability—reduces water demand
  • Reduces shrinkage and cracking
  • Self-seals hairline cracks
  • Resists weathering—a better alternative to liquid applied sealers
  • Damp-proof mortar rendering on brick, block and other masonry walls
  • Use to reduce permeability of plaster, stucco, and thin topping mixes

Rendering Mortar:

  • A render is a mortar generally made up of cement, fine aggregate, water, and sometimes lime or a plasticizer
  • It is applied to the face of a brick or block wall surface, usually in two or more coats, to form the finish of the wall

Other Applications:

  • Protect masonry mortar
    - The mortar used between bricks and block when they are assembled into a wall
  • Reduce permeability of concrete bricks and blocks when they are manufactured
  • Most beneficial when used in brick and block walls that will not be covered by a render
  • Trial batches are strongly recommended to assess the local plastic and hardened properties to determine appropriate mix designs.