Construction chemicals play a significant role in the preparation of any material that is required for construction. Concrete is another material that has been constantly used in the construction industry for decades. There have been significant breakthroughs in the concrete technology that have changed the course of the concrete industry as a whole.

Crystalline Admixtures- a major breakthrough in concrete
Concrete has been the most dependable and the most used in the construction world. The reason for such popularity is that concrete is easily adaptable and can be used in any kind of structure. It is also a highly durable material as it limits the negative environmental effects further than other major building materials. Concrete is also easy to procure, as in its simplest form is made of three main ingredients: water, Portland cement and aggregates. Water is all-around us, coarse and fine aggregate can be found in numerous locations and cement is easy to come by as well.

With all these positives there are a few drawbacks in concrete, the most critical being porosity which then leads to water seepage. On its own, concrete is porous, when the human element of labour and processes is added to concrete, it does not fare well. Waterproofing has been one of the biggest concern for contractors, realtors, architects and even the end users. Hence, breakthrough in concrete technology for the past few decades has only been in this section.

A breakthrough which has changed the way concrete is used is crystalline admixtures. When added to the concrete, these admixtures create a reaction that causes microscopic crystals to form. As long as moisture remains present, crystals continue to grow throughout the concrete, reaching lengths of many inches overtime. Once the concrete has cured, the crystalline chemicals sit dormant until another dose of water (such as through a new crack, or due to humidity in the air) causes the chemical reaction to begin again. These admixtures also create a self-sealing property to the concrete, where the crystals are able to fully grow over minor cracks in the structure.
Integral crystalline admixtures not only ensure a durable concrete structure by blocking the infiltration of water and water-borne chemicals, but do so for the life of the concrete structure. Also, at the end of the service of the structure, the concrete can be recycled unlike that of an external membrane.

Crystalline mortar Admixtures by Kryton
Krypton Buildmat has introduced Krystol Mortar Admixture (KMA), a unique waterproofing solution that is a multi multi-use product and can be used as a masonry mortar, a rendering on the outside of buildings or for interior wet rooms like kitchens and bathrooms. Based on Kryton’s Krystol technology which, when added to mortar mixes, KMA, reacts to form long, needle-like crystals that block the capillary pores and micro-cracks within the mortar, effectively blocking water passage.  It reduces mortar’s permeability and also makes sure that should any cracks form in the mortar later, KMA reactivates in the presence of water to re-seal for the entire life of the structure.  The Krystol technology simplifies installation and provides superior performance such as the ability to self-seal minor cracks, withstand water under pressure and resist algae formation on finished plaster. KMA remains dormant in the structure for years but once in contact with water it becomes active and grows crystals that stop the water from seeping through the structure. Along with making the mortar watertight, KMA also minimises rebound loss, betters the productivity of the mason, improves adhesion and provides a smooth finished surface for tiling or painting.

Authored by-
Ajay Kudesia, VP-Sales,
Kryton Buildmat Co. Pvt. Ltd.