In concrete products in general and in those placed below the level of the ground level or in the vicinity of aquifers, in particular a constructive detail, moreover indispensable, such as the formwork spacers consisting of PVC tubulars, usually about 21 mm in diameter internal, constitutes a dangerous element of discontinuity, permeation and infiltration.
In fact, the water is located at the concrete-spacer interface, a place for differential shrinkage and frequent crawl spaces, an easy way of access and infiltration capable of seriously affecting the hermetic seal of the building.
The special characteristics of the Azichem hydro-expansive tires allow the protection to be extended to this true and constructive “Achilles heel”, through water-tight devices that are both easy to manufacture and economically advantageous, consisting of organically functional systems: the RINGSEAL T 21 hydro-expansive gaskets.
Ringseal T21
RINGSEAL T21 is a ring-shaped seal made of a special hydro-expansive rubber that reacts on contact with water by increasing its initial volume. When used in combination with a 22 mm tubular spacer for metal formwork, RINGSEAL T21 hermetically seals any through discontinuities that could easily develop in the concrete due to the presence of the spacer, compromising the watertightness of the masonry. The hydro-expansive capacity of Ringseal T21 was laboratory-tested with three different types of water: demineralized, salt water and highly alkaline water (to simulate conditions in contact with concrete). Expansion tests showed a volume variation ranging from a minimum of approximately 200% (three times the initial volume) in the case of salt water to a maximum of more than 900% in the case of demineralized water.
Ringseal T21
RINGSEAL T21 is a ring-shaped seal made of a special hydro-expansive rubber that reacts on contact with water by increasing its initial volume. When used in combination with a 22 mm tubular spacer for metal formwork, RINGSEAL T21 hermetically seals any through discontinuities that could easily develop in the concrete due to the presence of the spacer, compromising the watertightness of the masonry. The hydro-expansive capacity of Ringseal T21 was laboratory-tested with three different types of water: demineralized, salt water and highly alkaline water (to simulate conditions in contact with concrete). Expansion tests showed a volume variation ranging from a minimum of approximately 200% (three times the initial volume) in the case of salt water to a maximum of more than 900% in the case of demineralized water.