Plasticizers are surfactants (or surfactants for short) that are intended to be added to dry building mixtures to improve certain properties. Most often they are used when installing the screed on the floor, including when installing the “warm floor” system. Surfactants have a special property, when added to a solution of a substance, they give it special fluidity and plasticity, making the mixture easier and more evenly deposited on the surface. In general, a plasticizer for screed improves the quality of the mortar.
An increase in the plasticity of the solution leads to an improvement in other indicators of the mixture. In particular, due to its good surface distribution, material consumption is significantly reduced. The time spent on work with the solution is also reduced. And after the screed hardens, it acquires high strength, good density, and resistance to stress. In this case, the hardening time is reduced by approximately 2 days.
Currently, there is a wide range of different types of plasticizers that give the solution certain properties, some stores can provide everything from self-leveling floor mixes to nail polish. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the necessary indicators when choosing a supplement. Maybe this is an increase in frost resistance, it may be necessary to accelerate the hardening time.
It is especially necessary to use a plasticizer for screed under underfloor heating. This is due to the fact that it should be ductile, not crack under the influence of high temperatures, withstand significant loads, provide reliable protection of the equipment. These properties are possessed by a screed made of concrete mortar with the addition of a plasticizer. In addition, the service life is also increased.
According to its state, the plasticizer for the screed is divided into liquid and powder types. The surfactant in dry form must first be diluted with water in the required proportion (should be indicated on the package), and only then add in small portions to the cement mortar. The mixture must be thoroughly mixed. Typically, the average plasticizer consumption is about 0.15-0.2 liters per 50 kg of dry cement-sand composition. When working, it must be taken into account that the air temperature should not be lower than +5 degrees.
Liquid plasticizer for screed is sold ready-made and added directly to the solution in the required proportions.
Also, the plasticizer for the screed can be in the form of polyamide reinforcing fibers and in antifrosty additives. Each of the individual species gives the solution certain indicators, improving its quality.
With all its advantages, plasticizers are also an environmentally friendly substance, absolutely non-toxic, do not cause corrosion on metals, have a neutral smell. The production and cost of surfactants depends on the characteristics, consumption. It should be borne in mind that the cheaper the material, the more likely it will be more expensive. Therefore, savings in this case may not always be effective.