WAX BEADS IN CONCRETE

The addition of wax beads to a concrete mix and subsequent heat treatment of the hardened concrete has been found to be effective in sealing the concrete. This study was to determine if normal steam curing would melt the wax beads included in the concrete mix design. If not, it was desired to determine if there is an optimum time after steam curing to heat treat the hardened concrete to melt the wax beads. Fifty concrete cylinders containing 3% by weight of wax beads and twenty control cylinders were prepared, steam cured, and subjected to various tests in the laboratory. The study results indicate that the normal steam curing process as used in Alabama does not metl the wax beads. It is questionable whether there is an optimum time after steam curing to heat treat the concrete to melt the wax beads. The inclusion of wax beads in the concrete resulted in lowered compressive strengths of the test cylinders.

• Corporate Authors:

  Alabama State Highway Department

  11 South Union Street
  Montgomery, AL  United States  36130

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Holman, F L
• Publication Date: 1976-2

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 29 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Admixtures; Compressive strength; Concrete hardening; Metal heating; Sealing (Technology); Steam curing; Waxes
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cylinders; Hardened concrete; Heat treatment
• Old TRIS Terms: Beading; Sealing
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00139185
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: HPR 77, Final Report
• Contract Numbers: HP&R 930-078
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 16 1976 12:00AM