04 - TDS Flowcable

®
FLOWCABLE
A powdered admixture for the production of non-shrink, high strength grouts for post-tensioned
cables and fixing anchors or bolts in concrete or rock
Description and properties c) Shrinkage of cement paste and

FLOWCABLE® is a chloride free admixture in powder consequent cracking. With normal
form. It is added at the rate of 6% by weight of cement grouts final shrinkage varies from
cement to produce a flowable, pumpable, non-shrink 2 to 3mm. FLOWCABLE® allows not only
non-segregating, impermeable grout, providing high shrinkage to be eliminated completely, but
strength and high bond to steel. The most important also slight expansion to occur during
property FLOWCABLE® imparts to grout is the ability setting and hardening.
to protect cables against corrosion from aggressive
agents and stress. The main properties of grouts containing 6%
of FLOWCABLE®, shown in Tables 1 and 2,
Inadequate protection against corrosion offered by
can be summed up as follows:
normal grouts is due to:
a) Excessive capillary microporosity due to high
• Very high flowability (as measured by the
water/cement ratio. Using FLOWCABLE® the
Flow Cone Test) without bleed water or
water/cement ratio is reduced to 0.3;
with a very low amount of it. The
b) High macroporosity caused by bleed water
pumpability of the grout is assured for at
collecting under strands and in the upper part of
least two hours at + 20°C.
the sheath (Fig. 1). When bleed water evaporates
• High mix water retention. This very
and is reabsorbed by the cement paste, voids
important property imparts high cohesion
form thus providing easy access for corrosive
to the very flowable mix. Under vacuum, of
substances. European recommendations on
600 mm Hg, over 90% of the water is
prestressed concrete (FIP) prescribe that the
retained by the FLOWCABLE®. Inadequate
volume of bleed water must not exceed 0.5%.
water retention would allow water to
With the use of FLOWCABLE®, the volume of
separate from solid components when the
bleed water is considerably lower: it ranges from
grout is forced through strands of
0 to a maximum of 0.2% depending upon the
tendons.
type of cement used;
Fig. 1
Section of sheath of post-tensioned cables filled with a cement paste showing bleeding water.
Fig. 2
®
Section of sheath of post-tensioned cables filled with a cement paste containing FLOWCABLE . No bleed water is
observed.
®
FLOWCABLE
*Typical examples of properties of cement pastes containing 6% of Flowcable
Type of Water % by Flow-Cone Test Bleed water Expansion Setting times
cement weight of at 2 days
cement flow
0 30 1 hour (% by volume) (µm/m) Initial Final
OPC 36 15 13 22 less than 0.2% 0.40 5 hours 7 hours
30 mins 15 mins
Compressive Strength
1 day 20-40N/mm²
28 days 50-70N/mm²
• Absence of shrinkage, and expansion ranging impermeable and, therefore, highly durable. On
from 200 to 800 µm/m depending upon the the other hand, the high cohesion and fluidity of
type of cement used. the fresh mix, together with freedom from
• Initial setting time in excess of 3 hours at shrinkage, prevents the formation of voids which
+30°C. are often responsible for the penetration of
• High early and ultimate strengths: depending aggressive agents.
on the type of Portland cement used,
strengths can range from 20 to 40 N/mm² at 1 Fig. 2 shows a representative section of a sheath
day and from 50 to 70 N/mm² at 28 days. filled with a grout containing FLOWCABLE®.
Slightly lower values are obtained if pozzolanic
or slag cements are used. Packaging
• High bond to steel: after 7 days the value is in FLOWCABLE® is supplied in 15kg bags.
excess of 15 N/mm².
Mixing instructions
Owing to its high flowability, a cement grout made Introduce approximately 25 litres of water per
with 6% by weight of FLOWCABLE assures the 100kg of cement into the mixer.
complete filling of sheaths, especially among the
strands of cables. This ensures maximum
protection of steel against corrosion caused by
aggressive agents. As this high flowability is
obtained with a low water / cement ratio, the
hardened cement paste is dense, compact,
®
FLOWCABLE
Start the mixer and add FLOWCABLE® (6% FLOWCABLE® is a chloride free product, which is
by the weight of cement) followed by the specially important in the case of cables.
cement. However, chlorides can be introduced into a mix if
brackish water or special types of cement are
Mix for 3 minutes until a plastic and homogeneous used. Therefore, the use of drinkable water
mixture is obtained. Add approximately 7 litres of (generally containing less than 40 mg/l of chloride)
water and mix for a further 2 minutes until the and chloride-free cements (Cl lower than 0.06%
grout is flowable, without lumps and the flow cone by weight of cement) is recommended. Though
empties in approximately 20 seconds. If a high all Portland, pozzolanic or slag cements may be
speed mixer is used (about 1500 r.p.m.) the total employed, the use of Portland cement Type I and,
mixing time can be reduced from 5 to 3 minutes. preferably, Type III, is recommended in cold
The amount of mixing water necessary by weight weather.
of cement and FLOWCABLE® is approximately
34% but can range from a minimum of 30% to a Storage
maximum of 38% depending upon the cement Store out of direct sunlight, clear of the ground on
used. Finely ground cement usually requires a pallets protected from rainfall. Avoid excessive
higher amount of water. The grout thus obtained compaction. Do not use if the bag is damaged or
can generally be pumped for at least 2 hours, has been opened for more than 1 month.
unless the cement used shows a rapid or false
set. Failure to comply with the recommended storage
conditions may result in premature deterioration of
Yield the product or packaging. For specific storage
Approximately 68 litres of highly flowable grout are advice consult BASF's Technical Services
obtained by mixing 100 kg of cement, 6 kg of Department.
FLOWCABLE® and 34 litres of water.
Safety precautions
Precautions As with all chemical products, care should be
The temperature of walls and spaces where the taken during use and storage to avoid contact
grout is to be pumped should be between +5 and with the eyes, mouth, skin and foodstuffs (which
+40°C for optimum results. If the temperature is can also be tainted with vapour until product fully
outside this range, consult your BASF-UAE cured or dried). Treat splashes to eyes and skin
representative. immediately. If accidentally ingested, seek
immediate medical attention. Keep away from
children and animals. Reseal containers after use.
®
FLOWCABLE
Note
Field service, where provided, does not constitute
supervisory responsibility. For additional
information contact your local BASF
representative.
BASF reserves the right to have the true cause of

any difficulty determined by accepted test
methods.
Quality and care

All products originating from BASF’s Dubai, UAE
facility are manufactured under a management
system independently certified to conform to the
requirements of the quality, environmental and
occupational health & safety standards ISO 9001,
ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001.
01/95 BASF_CC-UAE revised 04/2010
REQUEST AND REFER TO RECOMMENDED

INSTALLATION PROCEDURES FOR MASTERFLOW
GROUTS PRIOR TO USE
* Properties listed are based on laboratory controlled tests.
Whilst any information contained herein is true, accurate and represents our best knowledge and experience, no warranty is given or implied with
any recommendations made by us, our representatives or distributors, as the conditions of use and the competence of any labour involved in the
application are beyond our control.
As all BASF technical datasheets are updated on a regular basis it is the user's responsibility to obtain the most recent issue.
BASF Construction Chemicals UAE LLC

P.O. Box 37127, Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 8090800 Fax: +971 4 8851002
Certificate No. Certificate No. Certificate No.
www.basf-cc.ae e-mail: marketingcc.mideast@basf.com 963680 945787 772556

04 - TDS Flowcable

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

04 - TDS Flowcable

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

04 - TDS Flowcable

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

®

Description and properties c) Shrinkage of cement paste and

BASF reserves the right to have the true cause of

Quality and care

01/95 BASF_CC-UAE revised 04/2010

REQUEST AND REFER TO RECOMMENDED

* Properties listed are based on laboratory controlled tests.

BASF Construction Chemicals UAE LLC

You might also like