General Guide to Microsilica

Industrial & Commercial Floors Chemical Resistant Concrete High Strength Concrete Waterproof Concrete Marine Concrete Shotcrete

A Natural Pozzolan for High Performance Concrete

Microsilica 600

MICROSILICA 600A Natural Pozzolan

Microsilica 600 is a highly reactive pozzolan which is processed from a natural white geosilica deposit found in New Zealands Rotorua district. Like silica fume it is a very fine amorphous silica from the microsilica family of products. When mixed with Portland cement, Microsilica 600 facilitates high performance concrete by achieving: Very low chloride ion diffusion Increased compressive strength Reduced water permeability Improved sulphate resistance Improved abrasion resistance Improved resistance to chemical attack Improved stability in geothermal environments Reduced efflorescence In applications requiring long serviceability in harsh environments or where structural performance beyond current limitations are pre-requisites, Microsilica 600 should be specified by the engineer or used by the contractor to economically satisfy the performance requirements. However, it is well recognised that International Standards (including New Zealands Concrete Design Standard NZ3101:1995) do not generally cover aggressive chemicals and marine exposure adequately and that Standards lag behind state of the art design. Microsilica NZ fills the gap by providing the latest design for life durability guidance.

Microsilica 600 Origins

The natural amorphous silica deposits are hosted in hydrothermally altered rhyolitic rocks (Mamaku Ignimbrites and Rotoiti Breccia). The pumice Breccia is about 60,000 years old and the underlying Ignimbrite, 220,000 years old. The deposit has been extensively altered with widespread silicification.
Figure 1. Raw material deposit of amorphous silica. Resource exceeds 1 million tonnes.

Microsilica 600 Compliance with Standards

The NZ Standard NZS 3122:1995 -Specification for Portland and Blended Cements, classifies Microsilica 600 as silica fume. Microsilica 600 complies in all respects to this Standard. Microsilica 600 meets the performance requirements of the Australian Standard AS358.2, silica fume and the Canadian Standard, Can/CSA-A23.5M86 for Type U Silica Fume.
Property Sulphuric Anhydride (SO) Loss on Ignition (LOI) Silica (SiO) Accelerated pozzolanic activity index Soundness Fineness retained on 45 Micron sieve Result 0.2% 5.4% 87.9% 119% <0.1% 4.8% Allowable Max 1.0% Max 6.0% Min 85% Min 85% Max 0.2% Max 10% Test Method CSA CAN3-AS ASTM C311. ASTM Cl 14 ASTM C31 1 ASTM C311 CSA CAN3-A5

Table 1. The Canadian Standard for silica fume is often used in specifications

Microsilica 600

 Microsilica 600 Chemical & Physical Properties

The selective quarrying operation and blending process ensures that the variation in chemical composition of the finished product is minimal. The fineness of the product is achieved through grinding. Continuous monitoring of the grinding process produces a product that has a particle size distribution which consistently lies within a pre-determined envelope.
Table 2. Typical chemical and physical properties of Microsilica 600.
Chemical Analysis % Mass Si02 A1203 S03 Fe203 Mn0 Ti02 Ca0 K20 P202 Mg0 Na20 LOI 87.89 4.31 0.13 0.59 0.03 1.16 0.32 0.49 0.05 < 0.02 0.14 5.01 Particle Size Analysis Micron % Passing 100 50 20 10 5 2 1 0.4 100 99.6 97.9 94.5 84.6 55.6 35.0 12.2

Action of Microsilica 600 in Concrete

The high performance of concrete produced using Microsilica 600 is achieved through three principal mechanisms: The very fine particles of Microsilica 600 are able to fill the microscopic voids between the cement particles, creating a less permeable concrete microstructure. The manufacturing process ensures the optimisation of particle size and distribution.

Bulk density 500-600kg/m (approx)

The pozzolanic reaction occurring when the free calcium hydroxide liberated in the cement hydration process reacts with the Microsilica 600 to produce additional calcium silicates. The fine particle size reduces concrete bleed and improves the aggregate cement paste interface bond.

Microsilica 600 Performance Improved Efficiency

Industrial Floors Bridge Construction

55 MPa 53 MPa

2.5 2.8

Table 3. An analysis of ready mix concrete supplied to major projects confirms the efficiency gains of using Microsilica 600 in concrete.

Agglomeration
Recognising the possibility of under performance and the potential for Alkali Aggregate Reactivity (AAR) within agglomerated silica particles, Microsilica 600 has been designed so that particles do not agglomerate. With 90% of particles under 10 microns, even after 4 years storage (figure 2 - right), it has been shown in accelerated tests that AAR will not occur when using Microsilica 600. Figure 2.
Microsilica 600 particle size distribution showing no significant agglomeration after 4 years.

Microsilica 600

The contribution of Microsilica 600 to concrete strength can be quantified in terms of efficiency or an efficiency factor. The efficiency of Microsilica 600 is defined as the ratio of Microsilica 600 dosage to the quantity of cement that can be removed to maintain strength. Laboratory tests indicate that the efficiency factor for Microsilica 600 lies in the range of 2.1 to 3.3. Similar values (Table 3) were achieved with site concrete.

Project

Average Strength

Efficiency Factor

Low Increased in Water Demand

Fine powders when introduced into concrete mixes, increase the water demand if workability is to be maintained. This can be alleviated by the use of high range water reducers (superplasticiers). Required dosages will vary as to slump retention, cement type, raw materials and other concrete admixtures used. For Microsilica 600 the dosage of superplasticier is less than for other highly reactive pozzolans.

MICROSILICA 600 - APPLICATION GUIDELINES

The Microsilica 600 applications for specialist concretes and high performance concrete are detailed more fully in brochures on each topic.

MICROSILICA 600 for High Strength Concrete

Microsilica 600 increases concrete strengths producing financial benefits to builders, developers and property owners. Column and wall thickness are reduced providing cost saving and improved construction schedules. The internal cohesiveness of Microsilica 600 ensures a smooth formwork finish.

MICROSILICA 600 for Commercial & Industrial floors

Microsilica 600 produces a tough durable concrete, ideally suited to meet the high performance demands of todays industrial floors. Microsilica 600 will provide optimal concrete bleed for limiting plastic cracking, plastic settlement and delamination.

MICROSILICA 600 for Waterproof Concrete

The decrease in permeability is due to Microsilica 600s pozzolanic reactivity refining the cement paste pore structure. The use of membranes in below ground structures is minimised.

MICROSILICA 600 for Shotcrete

MICROSILICA 600 for Chemical Resistant Concrete

Microsilica 600 concrete is resistant to many industrial chemicals. It has excellent sulphate resistance and negates the effects of alkali aggregate reactivity (AAR).

MICROSILICA 600 for Marine Concrete

Microsilica 600 produces a marine concrete which has an extremely low chloride diffusion coefficient and high resistivity. It is a very effective concrete for marine environments.
Product Note The information contained in this brochure is offered in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. However, due to differences in conditions, environments and materials no liability is accepted by Microsilica NZ, Golden Bay Cement or their agents for loss or damage, direct or otherwise, resulting from the application of the information contained herein. Microsilica NZ reserves the right to change product specification without prior notice

MICROSILICA NZ

P O Box 1359, Shortland St, Auckland 1140, New Zealand. Ph 64 7 345 4710. Email microsilica@goldenbay.co.nz

Microsilica 600

The use of Microsilica 600 shotcrete eliminates expensive formwork and reduces construction time. Microsilica 600 reduces rebound and improves build.