Part 1 – General 1.0 Summary

DIVISION 3 – 03 05 59 – MOISTURE VAPOR REDUCING ADMIXTURE & PENETRATING VAPOR BARRIER CONCRETE TREATMENT

A. This specification describes the use of a Porosity Reducing Admixture-Hydrophilic (PRAH), non-crystalline admixture, which aids in the integral waterproofing of the concrete mix.

B. Concrete Porosity Reducing Admixture-Hydrophilic (PRAH) – Use for new concrete for the following applications:

1. Slabs on grade.
2. Elevated slabs.
3. Roof decks.
4. Stair treads and landings.

C.   Related Sections

1. Section 03 30 00 – Cast-in-Place Concrete.
2. Section 07 27 00 – Vapor Barriers
3. Section 09 05 61.13 – Moisture Vapor Emissions Control.
4. Section 09 61 36 – Static-Resistant Flooring Treatment.

1.0    References 

A.    American Concrete Institute (ACI):

1. ACI 302.2R-06 – Guide for Concrete Slabs that Receive Moisture-Sensitive Flooring.
2. ACI 305R-10 – Guide to Hot Weather Concreting.
3. ACI 306R-10 – Guide to Cold Weather Concreting.

B.    ASTM International (ASTM):

1. 1ASTM C 494 – Standard Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete.
2. ASTM D 5084 – Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Hydraulic Conductivity of Saturated Porous Materials Using a Flexible Wall Permeameter.
3. ASTM E 1643 – Standard Practice for Selection, Design, Installation, and Inspection of Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Earth or Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs.
4. ASTM E 1745 – Standard Specification for Plastic Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs.
5. ASTM F 710 – Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring.
6. ASTM F 1869 – Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride.

C.    National Ready Mix Concrete Association (NRMCA):

1. NRMCA Certification of Ready Mixed Concrete Production Facilities.

1.1    Definitions 

A.    Cementitious Materials: Portland cement alone or in combination with one or more of the following:

1. Blended hydraulic cement.
2. Fly ash and other pozzolans.
3. Ground granulated blast-furnace slag.
4. Silica fume.

1.2 System

A.  AQURON 300-MWC and AQURON 2000 Cure & Seal when used as a two-part system can help create a catalyzed, internal, insulating hydrogel formation within the concrete matrix that will form a lifetime barrier of protection within the concrete.  The hydrogel will protect the concrete against damaging chemicals and freeze-thaw damages that are prevalent when internal moisture is not controlled within the concrete matrix.

B.  Design Criteria:

1. Moisture Vapor Reducing Admixture: AQURON 300-MWC.
2. Penetrating Vapor Barrier Concrete Treatment: AQURON 2000 Cure & Seal.
3. Complies with all Federal and State VOC requirements.

1.21 Quality Assurance

A. Manufacturing qualifications: Manufacturer with a minimum of 15 years of experience and capable of supplying field and technical assistance in the application of a penetrating, concrete soluble, chloride reducer treatment.

The manufacturer of the specified product shall be and have in existence a recognized ongoing quality assurance program independently audited on a regular basis.

B. Applicator (Contractor) and/or Ready-Mix Supplier (Ready Mix Producer) qualifications: Contractor shall be qualified in the field of concrete repair and protection with a successful record of accomplishment of (1) three years or more of successful application experience and training provided by manufacturer (AQURON Corporation). Contractor shall maintain qualified personnel who have received product training by a manufacturer’s representative and provide proof of attending training upon request.

C. Install materials in accordance with all safety and weather conditions required by manufacturer or as modified by applicable rules and regulations of local, state, and federal authorities having authority. Consult Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for complete handling recommendations.

1.3 Delivery, Storage, and Handling 

A. All materials must be delivered in original, unopened containers with the manufacturer’s name, labels, product identification, and batch numbers. Damaged material must be removed from the site immediately.

B. Store all materials off the ground and protect from rain, freezing or excessive heat until ready for use.

C. Condition the specified product as recommended by the manufacturer.

1.4 Submittals

A.  Submit under provisions of Section 01 30 00 – Administrative Requirements.

1. Product Data:  submit 2 copies of manufacturer’s data sheets on each product to be used, including:
2. Preparation instructions and recommendations.
3. Storage and handling requirements and recommendations.
4. Installation methods.

B.  Proof of compliance with the properties specified in 2.3 Performance Criteria.

C.  Samples: Offer representative samples if requested by the Architect.

D. Project Specific Information:

1. Test reports. (As required by owner/architect)
2. Certificate of rate of application.
3. Signed warranty. (If applicable per requirements)

E. Application Rate: From Installer, based on project requirements.

1.5 Warranty

A. AQURON Corporation offers a performance warranty for this AQURON® System – AQURON 300-MWC and AQURON 2000 Cure & Seal products. The warranty for the performance of this AQURON® product must be requested from the AQURON Corporation and initiated prior to applying this AQURON® product. Failure to initiate warranty of performance prior to application, holds harmless AQURON Corporation of any liability arising from its use, and user assumes all risk and liabilities whatsoever in connection.  The AQURON 300-MWC and AQURON 2000 Cure & Seal system comes with a limited warranty against moisture migration through sound concrete, control of concrete pH, and anti-dusting performance.  All eligibility requirements on the warranty must be met to receive the warranty.

Part 2 – Products 

2.1 Manufacturer

A. AQURON® 300-MWC & AQURON 2000 Cure & Seal as manufactured by AQURON Corporation is considered to conform to the requirements of this specification.   AQURON Corporation – 2009 Industrial Blvd, Suite A, Rockwall, TX 75087; (office) 800-342-4649 / (fax) 972-722-6412; www.Aquron.com

B.  Substitutions: Not allowed.

C.  Requests for substitutions will be considered in accordance with provisions of Section 01 60 00 – Product Requirements.

2.2 Material – MOISTURE VAPOR REDUCING ADMITURE

A.  AQURON® 300-MWC as manufactured by AQURON Corporation is a concrete mix water conditioner added to concrete mix water to aid in the control of moisture vapor and waterproofing of concrete for cast-in-place concrete.

2.3 Performance Criteria

A. Typical Properties of Moisture Vapor Reducing Admixture:

1. Physical:  Liquid
2. Color: Clear
3. Specific gravity: 1.11 to 1.3
4. Order:  None
5. Flash point: None
6. Flammability: None
7. Boiling point:  212 F/100 C
8. Freezing Temperatures: 32 F/0 C
9. VOC content: None

2.4    Batch Mixing

A. AQURON® 300-MWC for new concrete, slabs below grade, slabs on grade, elevated slabs, roof deck, stair treads and landings, and exterior balconies.

B. AQURON® 300-MWC is added to concrete’s mixing water at the rate of 10 fluid ounces per 100 lbs./6.5ml per lbs./kg of cement.

NOTE: If using a mix-water tank for variable cement content batching, please contact your area AQURON® Distributor or AQURON® Corporation for technical assistance.

C. Add AQURON® 300-MWC to concrete mix when 90% of the batching mix-water before the introduction of any other materials (cement, aggregates, fly ash, etc.)

D. The total mix must then be mixed at a minimum of 180 revolutions prior to placement.

E. Using AQURON® 300-MWC allows for a water to cement ratio between .48 and .54.  Slump is easily adjusted with little added potable water. It is recommended adding no more than 1 gallon of water per yard of concrete to adjust the slump.

NOTE: Very little added water can dramatically increase the slump of the concrete mix.

2.5 Transit Truck Mixing

A. Place 90% of concrete’s mix water into transit mixer.

B. Place the designed amount of AQURON® 300-MWC in transit mixer.

C. Rotate mixer drum 8-10 revolutions.

D. Add cement, sand, and aggregates.

E. Add remaining mixing water needed.

F. Mix batch for at least 15 minutes at no more than 10-15 rpm.

1. Measure, batch, mix, and deliver concrete with MWC 300 in accordance with ASTM C94/C94M.
2. Give batch ticket information showing dosage of AQURON® 300-MWC to contractor.

G. Continuous Mixing:

1. AQURON® 300-MWC is added or injected into, mix water at the rate of 10 fluid ounces per 100 lbs. of cement.  This is the same utilization ratio for use when performing shot-crete (wet or dry process), underlayments and light weight concrete applications.

NOTE TO SPECIFIER ** Delete options not required.

PART 3 – Execution

3.1 Examination

A. Do not begin installation until substrates have been properly constructed and prepared.

B. If substrate preparation is the responsibility of another installer, notify Architect in writing of unsatisfactory preparation before continuing.

C. Protect and repair vapor retarder in accordance with ASTM E1643, ASTM F710, ACI 302.2R-06, and manufacturer’s instructions.

3.2. Installation

A. Install in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, approved submittals and in proper relationship with adjacent construction.

B. Follow requirements of Section 03 30 00 – Cast-in-Place Concrete for concrete mixing, placing, and curing.

C. Install, protect and repair sheet vapor retarder in accordance with to ASTM E1643, ASTM F710, ACI 302.2R-06, and manufacturer’s instructions.

D. Protect freshly placed concrete from premature drying and excessive cold or hot temperatures. Follow ACI 306R-10 for cold-weather protection and ACI 305R-10 for hot-weather protection during curing.

E. Curing application

1. Cure concrete using AQURON 2000 Cure & Seal by using an airless-spray equipment (or by pump sprayer) and apply at a rate not to exceed 150 sq/ft per gallon (3.5 sq/m per liter).
2. To achieve coverage rates, two-coats will be needed.
3. Apply two-coats in a cross-hatching method; first application covering in one direction and the second application applied in a 90-degree angle to the first.
4. Once first coat has penetrated the surface, allow 10 to 60 minutes between coats.  DO NOT ALLOW TO DRY OR PUDDLE.
5. If a steel-troweled finish is desired, use coverage rates of 200-300 sq/ft per gallon (4 sq/m per liter).
6. When temperatures are hot, the surface to which AQURON 2000 Cure & Seal is going to be applied to may need to be cooled with a water-cooling application (mist). Please consult with AQURON Technical Services prior to application.

F. Verify curing method per manufacturer’s TDS before placement of concrete containing AQURON® 300-MWC admixture.

3.3    Field Quality Control

A. Project specific quality control process required by manufacturer necessary to convey limited liability warranty.

B. Test cylinders:  As required by architect or engineer.

C. Project team: Upon request, provide batch tickets showing presence and dosage of admixture in mix.

3.4 Cleaning

A. The material can be cleaned from tools with using water and soap.

B. Leave finished work and area in a neat, clean condition without evidence of spillovers onto adjacent areas.

NOTE: Special clothing, breathing apparatus, goggles and gloves are necessary but in enclosed areas it is advisable to wear an organic vapor respirator to avoid irritation to breathing. Attention should be made to watches, eyeglasses, etc., as AQURON 300-MWC and AQURON 2000 Cure & Seal etch glass or discolor aluminum. Never store spray equipment without cleaning and following manufacturer’s recommendations for storage between usage.