Here's the lowdown on Hydrophobic Cement: A technique you absolutely don't want to miss out on

There are two main words in the cement's name: water and phobic. Hydrophobic cement is obtained by grinding Portland cement clinker with a film forming substance to reduce the rate of deterioration between Portland cement clinker and oleic acid when stored under unfavorable conditions. The cement of this type is also called hydrographic cement.

Define Hydrophobic Cement

In hydrophobic cement, the cement grains are treated with admixtures that decrease their ability to permeate water. Among the most common hydrophobic admixtures are acidol, naphthene soap, oxidized petrolatum, etc.

A thin film of these substances forms close to the cement grains. It is achieved by grinding Portland cement clinkers with oleic acid to create hydrophobic cement that resists degradation when kept in adverse conditions.

Hydrophobic Cement Construction Process

The absorption films that form on the surface of hydrophobic cement are torn off by water and do not impede the cement's normal hardening.

1. In the initial stages, the strength gain is less because certain grains have hydrophobic films that prevent water from interacting with them.
2. Although the strength of this cement after 28 days is equivalent to that of an ordinary Portland cement, it takes longer to dry.
3. As with Portland cement, this special cement is made through the same process. A water repellent film is formed when cement clinkers are ground with Oleic Acid or Stearic Acid.
4. The chemical layer forms on the cement particle and prevents water from mixing and starting the hydration process during transportation or storage. The water repellent layer breaks during the mixing process, however, as a result of agitation, allowing the hydration to occur.
5. Using hydrophobic cement improves the frost resistance and water resistance of concrete by uniformly distributing its fine pores.

Oxygen Diffusion Coefficient of Hydrophobic Cement

1. Using measurements on concrete and diffusion cells on cement pastes and mortars, anyone can determine the oxygen diffusion coefficient through hydrophobic cement based materials fully immersed in water.

2. In cement paste, mortar, and concrete made with hydrophobic additives, oxygen diffusion is extremely high compared with negligible diffusion in cement paste or mortar made without additives.
3. Hydrophobic cement matrices immersed in water show oxygen diffusion coefficients comparable to unsaturated cement materials in air reported in the literature.
4. An empty cement matrix with hydrophobic pores appears to permit direct diffusion of oxygen dissolved in water.
5. The severe corrosion of steel reinforcement embedded in cracks in hydrophobic concrete immersed in aqueous chloride solutions can be explained by this observation.

Merits of Hydrophobic Cement

Structures submerged in water, such as dams, spillways, and spillways, can be built using this cement. A 28 day trial of this cement demonstrated the same strength as that of ordinary Portland cement. Cold weather conditions can also be accommodated by it.

Demerits of Hydrophobic Cement

At temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it cannot be used due to its high price. Applied to frozen surfaces, this method is labor intensive.

Hydrophobic Cement Application

1. Used in extremely wet climatic conditions and for longer storage periods. Due to the complexity and cost of underground repairs, it is mostly used in tunnel construction.

2. Submerged structures, dams, spillways, and underwater constructions use these types of cement.
3. Green roofs, other kinds of roofs, parking structures, and plazas are among the structures exposed to rain.

To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.

Video Source: Anime_Edu - Civil Engineering Videos

4. Manholes and drainage system works are performed by this employee.
5. This material is used for water treatment plants, dams, and retaining walls. In addition to repairing leaky pipes, it is also capable of preventing leaks in basements.

Here's the lowdown on Hydrophobic Cement: A technique you absolutely don't want to miss out on