Lubricant for formwork: characteristics

Lubricant for formwork is often used when working with reinforced concrete structures. It allows to reduce the adhesion of concrete with the formwork, when it becomes necessary to produce the decking. Such formulations also have one more purpose. It consists in prolonging the vital activity of the elements of the formwork. After all, if they are removed with some effort, when the materials are firmly fastened together, the shields can be damaged, and their wear will occur ahead of time.

Qualitative characteristics of lubricants

Lubrication for formwork is not considered good in all cases. In addition to performing its basic function, the composition should not leave oily stains on the surface of the concrete. As an exception, it is the creation of structures that are to be filled with soil afterwards. The same applies to cases where the surface of concrete is required to be covered with a lining or a layer of waterproofing. In addition, the lubricants should not reduce the strength of the contact layer of the structure. The composition is compulsorily made fireproof. Among the requirements for oil for shuttering, one can single out the absence of substances that would be harmful to health. It is important and easy to apply. So, the remedy should keep well on a vertical surface for a day at a temperature of + 30 degrees Celsius.

Varieties

If you need lubrication for formwork, it is important to determine the purpose of the composition before starting work. All the means used to work with formwork can be divided into four groups, namely: aqueous suspensions; Combined lubricants; Hydrophobizing compounds; As well as lubricants, which slow the beginning of the solidification of the solution.

Water suspensions are inert to concrete compounds that are inexpensive, but not always effective. If vibrocompaction is used during the work, the described lubricants are blurred by the solution and contaminate the surface of the future structure. This explains the fact that in monolithic construction they are rarely used.

Lubricant for the formwork of a hydrophobic effect is quite common in monolithic construction, but it has a number of disadvantages. The first of them is expressed in considerable value, the second - in the ability to pollute the surface of the structure, and the third - in the flammability with direct exposure to fire.

Set retarders and combined products

If you decide to use a retarder as a lubricant, then it should be noted that such formulations have a disadvantage, which lies in the difficulty of adjusting the thickness of the solution layer. The most common today are the combined formulations, this is due to the high efficiency of the mixtures. Among their ingredients may be not only retarding setting, but also plasticizers, as well as other substances. Plasticizers work well with technology that involves the use of a vibrator to compact concrete. They affect the concrete in the adhering layers and reduce the porosity.

Lubricant for formwork "Emulsol" demonstrates its stability, it does not exfoliate for a week or even more. Its use completely guarantees the absence of the effect of adhesion of the structure to the elements of the formwork. Among other things, the mentioned combination composition is well-kept on the surface after application and does not stain the concrete.

Positive features of lubrication

If you decide in the process of erecting your home to use the lubricant for the formwork, then you can be sure that it:

• Prolong the life of the elements of the formwork;
• Will leave the concrete after solidification unscathed;
• Formwork;
• If present in the composition of special additives will make the concrete not so porous.

Composition of lubricants and their cost

Emulsions are used as lubricants, which can be represented by an aqueous solution of soap and kerosene, as well as an aqueous solution of oil. These products also contain suspensions, which are a mixture of clay and oil or water with chalk. The lubricant for forms and formwork of the shield type used in the construction of underground reinforced concrete structures has bitumen and kerosene in the composition. These lubricants can be used for steel molds, as well as for formwork of planks or plastics. Boardwalk formwork is easy to dismantle after application of petrolatum-solyar compounds on their inner surface.

The formwork lubricant, the price of which may vary depending on the manufacturer and characteristics, is mandatory if the elements of the enclosing system you plan to use several times during construction. Similar compositions can be purchased from 75 rubles per kilogram. The use of lubricant will allow for shorter decay times, which significantly reduces labor costs and brings closer the completion of work.