WRDA® with HYCOL® water-reducing admixture is an aqueous solution of complex organic compounds. It is a ready-to-use low viscosity liquid which is factory premixed in exact proportions to minimize handling, eliminate mistakes and guesswork. One gallon weighs approximately 9.6 lbs (1.15 kg/L). WRDA with Hycol does not contain added chloride.
WRDA with Hycol produces a concrete with lower water content (typically 8% to 10% reduction), greater plasticity and higher strength. It is used in ready-mix plants, block and concrete products plants, in lightweight and prestressed work wherever concrete is produced. It is also used by contractors in field equipment such as job site plants and pavers.
Hycol acts to optimize the rate and degree of hydration of the Portland cement in the concrete. This optimization gives concrete strength advantages at all ages without appreciably altering its setting time.
WRDA with Hycol also acts as a dispersing agent and lessens the natural interparticle attraction between cement grains in water. This reduces their tendency to clump together, making the mix more workable, placeable and finishable with less water.
The combination of water reduction and controlled hydration by Hycol optimizes the rate of formation of the gel, the paste or binder that “glues” the concrete aggregates together. This controlled rate of gel formation adds to the water retention and internal cohesiveness of the mix, reducing the bleeding and segregation, while increasing or improving the workability, placeability and finishability of concrete.
The cement paste, or mortar, in concrete containing WRDA with Hycol has improved trowelability. The influence of WRDA with Hycol on the finishability of lean mixes has been particularly noticeable. Floating and troweling, by machine or hand, easily imparts a smooth, close tolerance surface with less machine time and labor.
Excellent results are obtained using addition rates of 3 to 6 fl oz/ 100 lbs (190 to 375 mL/ 100 kg) of WRDA with Hycol of cement. In some cases it may be necessary to slightly modify the addition rate due to variations in cement, aggregate or other job conditions.
WRDA with Hycol is compatible with most GCP admixtures as long as they are added separately to the concrete mix, usually through the water holding tank discharge line. In general, it is recommended that WRDA with Hycol be added to the concrete mix near the end of the batch sequence for optimum performance. Different sequencing may be used if local testing shows better performance. Please see GCP Technical Bulletin TB-0110, Admixture Dispenser Discharge Line Location and Sequencing for Concrete Batching Operations for further recommendations.
Pretesting of the concrete mix should be performed before use, and as conditions and materials change, in order to ensure compatibility, and to optimize dosage rates, addition times in the batch sequencing and concrete performance. For concrete that requires air entrainment, the use of an ASTM C260 air-entraining agent (such as Daravair® or Darex® product lines) is recommended to provide suitable air void parameters for freeze-thaw resistance. Please consult your GCP Applied Technologies representative for guidance.
WRDA with Hycol is available in bulk, delivered by metered tank trucks, and totes and drums.
WRDA with Hycol will freeze at about 28°F (-2°C), but will return to full strength after thawing and thorough agitation.
A complete line of accurate dispensing equipment is available. WRDA with Hycol may be introduced to the mix on the sand or in the water.
Concrete shall be designed in accordance with Standard Recommended Practice for Selecting Proportions for Concrete, ACI 211.1.
The water-reducing admixture shall be WRDA with Hycol, as manufactured by GCP Applied Technologies, or equal. The admixture shall not contain calcium chloride. It shall be used in strict accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. The admixture shall comply with ASTM Designation C494, Type A Water-Reducing Admixtures. Certification of compliance shall be made available upon request.
The admixture shall be considered part of the total water. The admixture shall be delivered as a ready-to-use liquid product and shall require no mixing at the batching plant or job site.
We hope the information here will be helpful. It is based on data and knowledge considered to be true and accurate, and is offered for consideration, investigation and verification by the user, but we do not warrant the results to be obtained. Please read all statements, recommendations, and suggestions in conjunction with our conditions of sale, which apply to all goods supplied by us. No statement, recommendation, or suggestion is intended for any use that would infringe any patent, copyright, or other third party right.
WRDA is a trademark, which may be registered in the United States and/or other countries, of GCP Applied Technologies, Inc. This trademark list has been compiled using available published information as of the publication date and may not accurately reflect current trademark ownership or status.
© Copyright 2018 GCP Applied Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.
GCP Applied Technologies Inc., 2325 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 475, Alpharetta, GA 30009, USA
GCP Canada, Inc., 294 Clements Road, West, Ajax, Ontario, Canada L1S 3C6.
This document is only current as of the last updated date stated below and is valid only for use in the Canada. It is important that you always refer to the currently available information at the URL below to provide the most current product information at the time of use. Additional literature such as Contractor Manuals, Technical Bulletins, Detail Drawings and detailing recommendations and other relevant documents are also available on www.gcpat.com. Information found on other websites must not be relied upon, as they may not be up-to-date or applicable to the conditions in your location and we do not accept any responsibility for their content. If there are any conflicts or if you need more information, please contact GCP Customer Service.
Last Updated: 2024-06-21
https://ca.gcpat.com/en/solutions/products/wrda-hycol