Tyler Grissom
Master Builders Solutions US & Canada
The difficulty with designing and producing sustainable concrete is an all-too-familiar challenge, but now an innovative concrete admixture is setting an entirely new standard in efficiency and sustainable construction. Read on to discover how Master X-Seed admixtures from Master Builders Solutions offer a new way forward to produce high-performance concrete while reducing the carbon footprint.
1.) Master X-Seed promotes cement hydration.
The science behind this exceptional capability comes from the patented C-S-H (calcium-silicate hydrate) seeding technology, which improves the hydration process by suspending synthetically produced crystalline calcium silicate hydrate nanoparticles in the concrete mixture. Master X-Seed allows for the reduction of the cementitious content in a concrete mixture without negatively impacting the plastic and hardened properties. By providing a solution that improves the hydration of cementitious materials without affecting the plastic properties of concrete, it supports the handling and placement of low embodied carbon optimized mixtures.
2.) Removes the need to compromise.
Concrete manufacturers and specifiers increasingly must consider the trade-off between environmental gains and loss of performance when designing concrete mixtures to achieve reductions in embodied carbon.
Master X-Seed enables concrete mixtures to include higher levels of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM), thus contributing to the use of alternative raw materials for carbon-efficient mixtures and more durable concrete. More durable concrete means extending its service life and reducing maintenance, which lowers whole-life costs. No compromise needed.
3.) Master X-Seed increases both early and late strength development.
Master X-Seed is unique in enhancing early (one-day) and late (28-day) strength development. At the same time, it avoids the typical demands for higher cement content and a reduced water-cementitious (w/cm) ratio that high-strength concrete mixtures often require.
This is beneficial because reducing the w/cm ratio can make a concrete mixture less pumpable, workable, and placeable. This can lead to increased energy consumption and labor costs, resulting in a higher carbon footprint and a more expensive structure.
4.) Increases Production Efficiency.
Master X-Seed has also been formulated to significantly increase early strength (6-18 hrs) allowing for earlier stripping strength in the precast and prestressed application. This reduces the need for traditional solutions that require higher cement content and additional heating. Production efficiency and speed of construction are key to meeting demand and achieving industry sustainability goals.
5.) Flexibility in Design.
Flexibility in the design of innovative structures and optimization of concrete mix design is a benefit of utilizing Master X-Seed admixtures. The high early strength enabled by Master X-Seed supports aggressive construction timelines and budgets. The technology also provides a pathway for using subprime, locally available materials, thereby supporting the overall sustainability goals of producers and designers alike. Master X-Seed, C-S-H seeding technology, is setting an entirely new standard in designing and producing sustainable concrete. To learn more about the benefits of the Master X-Seed admixtures, get in touch with our local experts, or visit our dedicated product page.