Countertop Mix Design? in "OTHER STUFF" CONCRETE FORUM Forum

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Countertop Mix Design?

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macjohnw	Countertop Mix Design?		Lead	[-]
Posts: 2 11/09/11 07:55 AM	Tags : None As a noob starting out, I would like to learn how to create my own mixes. I am in civil engineering as a profession, but noticed that the countertop mixes are a bit different to normal heavy structure concrete - it is a bit more refined and specific, not as robust. I figured the ingredients are at least the following: Silica sand (or best available sand) Cement Water Plastisizer add-mixture Metakaolin add-mixture (for efflorescence and alkali-silica reaction) Anti-shrinkage add-mixture Am I missing anything here? Please feel free to correct me where needed. What do you guys use, or is it all hush-hush family secrets? PS: I am situated in Africa, so I should not be competition to anybody over there :) Last Edited By: macjohnw 11/09/11 08:16 AM. Edited 1 time.
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DCS Inc		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 3399 11/09/11 08:54 AM	There are 2 thoughts on this. Using a pre mixed product that has everything but water and then theres the mix your own crowd. If you have the area to store bulk material, that may be the way to go. You can tweak your mixes to the project at hand. (Your on the right track for the components) I'd add some fibers in your list. You also need to consider larger aggregates, not just silica sands. This forum deals with Elite Crete Systems product line. Our pre packaged, just add water products work really well for counter tops. I've made several tops with these products and also give classes on full depth cast in place, pre cast and overlays on existing Formica tops and over MDF board. Being a distributor for Elite Crete, I tend to promote our products over the mix your own crowd. Oh, your statement on counter tops not being as robust a regular concrete is not correct. Often counter top mixes way exceed normal concrete in strength and durability. If you do a little searching, you will find forums specific to your needs. Also, give Elite Crete a good look. Although we mainly push the flooring systems, there's a lot of counter tops being produced with our products. Good luck, gene ec-Indy Gene Dean Director of Training and Technical Support Elite Crete of Indiana Tel: (317) 888-4440 Fax: (866) 296-0008 Email: gene.dean@elitecrete.com
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macjohnw		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 4 11/09/11 11:08 AM	DCS Inc, Thanks for the reply. I am situated in South-Africa, so unfortunately your products are not available and/or viable due to the great distance separating us. Yes, I forgot about the fibres, but not the coarse aggregates. The reason why I just mentioned the silica sand is that I see some of the more well known guys in the industry using mixes that do not have any coarse aggregates - just cement,sand and addmixtures and maybe fibres. I reckon it must thus be possible seeing that they are doing it. Concerning my remark on the robustness of the concrete - I was implying that the countertop mixes are a bit more refined regarding their design and composition, but not a lesser product in any way, quite the contrary. Would have been nice to have attended your workshops and use your products, but alas, it is not possible at present. The transport costs to South-Africa would simply make this impossible.
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modconcretedesignz		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 29 03/13/12 06:33 PM	What is a good method to use elite crete products for a cast in place ( it's for an outdoor kitchen) ?
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