The construction industry has a rich history since the early days of civilization. In ancient times when society was created, people started building basic structures with their ability and strength to earn something of the same value.
A successive change has been seen in the construction industry over the past 200 years. The primary stimulators being the technological advancements, which were the fruit of the industrial revolution, and the massive growth in the world population as well.
Numerous types of chemicals have been being invented since the dawn of modern chemistry which are contributing to the modern construction industry and the growth of the construction chemical market.
Construction chemicals are chemical compounds used in construction works. They are mainly used to speed up the process or add more sustainability and strength to the structures. The addition of construction chemicals to various building materials during the construction work definitely improves performance, workability, adds functionality, and protects the basic or customized elements of a structure.
Construction chemicals are the most essential element of any chemical industry. These chemicals have altered the milieus of the entire construction industry. The application of construction chemicals improves the quality of building materials, and are hence used widely in construction projects to provide sustainability.
Population growth has changed the necessities of people. Concrete cities were created with tall buildings, skyscrapers, concrete and customized bridges across rivers, state-of-the-art hospitals, shopping malls, offices, factories, etc. The demand has been increasing since then for residential, public, commercial buildings, and other concrete constructions resulting in massive growth in the global construction chemical market.
Different types of construction chemicals are used for coating, surface application, and repair materials. Some of them are discussed below:
Concrete Admixtures
Concrete chemicals or admixtures are added to concrete with cement, aggregate, and water. An admixture is basically a substance that helps in modifying or altering the properties of the concrete. The properties include curing temperature range, workability, set colour, or time.
Concrete Curing Compound
Natural and synthetic resins, waxes, solvents of high volatility at atmospheric temperatures are the basic properties of concrete curing compounds.
After applying on freshly built concrete, a moisture absorbent film is shaped by the compound. The assimilation of white or grey pigments provides heat reflectance and often used to make the compound visible on the structure for various inspection drives.
Polymer Bonding Agents
Polymer Bonding Agent is specially designed to apply it as a bonding element with concrete and other cement-based products in exterior or interior applications. Other applications of polymer bonding agents include its usage as a polymer modifier in concretes and mortars to improve flexural, tensile, and bond strengths.
Protective and Decorative Agents
Sometimes, in order to prevent the risk of corrosion, a layer of the specific material is applied to the surface of another material. The layer is called a ‘protective coating’. The coating can be metallic or non-metallic. Polymers, epoxies, and polyurethanes are mostly used materials in a non-metallic protective coating. Aluminium, zinc, and chromium are the materials used for metallic protective coatings.
There are different methods for applying protective coatings to different surfaces.
In the finishing layers of plastering, special materials are used to meet some specific requirements such as high durability, decorative or customized appearance, fire-proofing, sound insulation, heat insulation, great strength, etc.
Water Repellents
These construction chemicals come with water repellents. They are extensively used to protect masonry and concrete from the adverse effects of water or moisture. Acrylic protective coating, silane siloxane water repellent sealer for tiles, and stone masonry are some of the main types of water repellents.
Adhesives
Adhesives are widely used in almost all types of projects from industrial to commercial or residential construction projects. Apart from qualities such as weatherproofing and waterproofing, adhesives are rich in bonding properties.
It has a sufficient level of elasticity to handle the repeated contraction and expansion caused by temperature fluctuations. There are many types of adhesives such as silicone adhesives, PU based adhesives, UV adhesives, acrylic adhesives, and many more.
Adhesives are used in a great variety of construction works which include panel fixing, tile fixing, and floor covering.
Sealants and Caulks
Sealants and caulks are construction chemicals that are used to block an opening surface to prevent liquid or gas leakage. Sealants are also used to seal little cracks so that moisture, oxygen, dust particles can’t damage the construction.
Epoxy Grouts
Epoxy grouts can be more beneficial to severe environmental conditions such as extremely high temperatures, acids, grease, oil, or chemicals than the other grouts. Another positive factor about epoxy grouts is their durability and properties such as abrasion, impact, stain resistance.
However, these chemicals are quite expensive. Epoxy grouts are specially used for the grouting of industrial equipment or machine foundations owing to their great vibration curbing features.
Conclusion
Construction chemicals have been used in building materials basically to enhance and improve the durability of the construction work. With the changing lifestyle of people around the world, an aesthetic concrete world is coming into existence defining the rise of the global construction chemical market.
Author Bio:
Upama Goswami is an experienced content creator, editor, and poet. She has expertise in creating authentic content in a wide range of niches such as lifestyle, fashion, health and well-being, philosophy, art, literature, and technology.
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