Accelerating admixtures Accelerators shorten the set time of concrete, allowing a cold-weather pour, early removal of forms, early

surface finishing, and in some cases, early load application. Proper care must be taken while choosing the type and proportion of accelerators, as under most conditions, commonly used accelerators cause an increase in the drying shrinkage of concrete. Calcium chloride is a common accelerator, used to accelerate the time of set and the rate of strength gain. It should meet the requirements of ASTM D 98. Excessive amounts of calcium chloride in concrete mix may result in rapid stiffening, increase in drying shrinkage and corrosion of reinforcement. In colder climates, calcium chloride should not be used as an antifreeze. Large amount of calcium chloride is required to lower the freezing point of the concrete, which may ruin the concrete.

Fly Ash - Making Concrete Stronger, More Durable, and Easier to Work With
Derived from burning coal, fly ash is a valuable additive that makes concrete stronger, more durable and easier to work with. Fly ash aids the formation of cementitious compounds to enhance the strength, impermeability and durability of concrete. Two main classes of fly ash are used in concrete, Class F, and Class C. Class F Reduces bleeding and segregation in plastic concrete. In hardened concrete, increases ultimate strength, reduces drying shrinkage and permeability, lowers heat of hydration and reduces creep. Class C Provides unique self-hardening characteristics and improves permeability. Especially useful in pre-stressed concrete and other applications where high early strengths are required. Also useful in soil stabilization.

Set Acceleration
Set accelerators work by accelerating cement hydration, which results in shortened setting times and increased early age strengths, particularly in cooler temperatures. They increase the rate of early strength development and reduce time required for curing and protection

Fritz-Pak Corporation in Dallas, TX At one time, calcium chloride was the predominant accelerating admixture. However, it is now considered by many to be a main contributor to long-term concrete problems. In Europe, use of calcium chloride is banned for some applications. Chloride is considered to contribute to corrosion of reinforcement or embedded metal in concrete. In turn this corrosion has been associated with spalling, cracking, loss of bond and if left uncorrected can cause eventual failure of the element involved.

Now, chloride-free set accelerators are available based upon other chemicals. Some of these newer admixtures also can act as ASTM C494 Type E water-reducers. Strength Enhancement
Concrete strength enhancement can be achieved through use of superplasticizer admixtures to produce a low water/cement ratio giving high performance concrete.

Fritz-Pak Corporation in Dallas, TX These admixtures promote a high slump, extremely flowable concrete that achieves high strengths while providing superior workability and pumpability. High range water-reducing admixtures can also be used for precast/prestressed structures where it is desirable to keep the water/cement ratio to a minimum for low permeability and high early strengths without set retardation.They are also used for concrete requiring high-early stripping strengths.

Fritz-Pak Corporation in Dallas, TX