MasterRoc SLF 543

​High performance foaming agent polymer modified for difficult cohesive grounds with tendency for clogging, readily biodegradable for Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) applications

How does MasterRoc SLF 543 work?

MasterRoc SLF 543 is a high-performance foaming agent specially designed to improve the performance and control of silt to sandy soils with clay and clogging issues. It has an improved foam stability and is based on biodegradable raw materials.

​Improved foam properties are crucial in ensuring proper control of the earth pressure, reducing the risk of additional settlement at the surface.The special selected anti-clogging polymer effectively reduces the clogging and adhesion potential of clay-containing soils on the TBM.

Areas of Application

MasterRoc SLF 543 creates a highly stable fine foam to hold the face pressure and maintain the rheology of the excavated ground longer than conventional foaming agents.

MasterRoc SLF 543 can be used with the standard foam generators installed on EPB machines. It can be injected at the cutterhead, into the working chamber and in the screw conveyor.

Characteristics and Benefits

Operational

• Due to the high foaming capacity, it will be possible to work with high FER values avoiding the collapse of the foam, compared to standard foaming agents

• You will work with lower FIR values to obtain the desired soil rheology, compared to standard foaming agents

• Improved face excavation support pressure and control

• Improved TBM excavation cycle’s time, quality, and cost

• Facilitated muck extraction from tunnel and from the muck pit area

• Improved overall tunnel performance

• Reduced tunnel excavation time

• Reduced TBM maintenance costs

• Optimized muck logistics outside job site

• Minimized over excavation and contractual disputes

• Reduced risk of surface settlement

• Reduction of clogging and adhesion effects on the cutterhead

Technical

• Eliminates risk of clogging and adhesion to metal parts of the TBM

• Reduced stickiness of soils with high fines contents (i.e. <0.063 mm), which would lead otherwise to clogging, blockage problems

• No separation at low temperatures

• Higher foam stability at low temperatures

• Great performance also at higher temperatures

• Improved soil behavior

• Reduced soil permeability

• Creation of plastic deformation properties in the soil, which increases face stability

• Lower inner friction and lower abrasiveness of the soil at the cutterhead and shield