The issue is that we have tried that to no avail as they do not want to accept that there is any issue with their cement. All the test repoerts are within range so to speak of the cement standards. How do I go about proving that the problem is with their cement?
From Sulfur content which was high (around 3.5 ) at the problem time and now 2.6 now? Or find our K content of the cement?
Regards!
CementUser:
The issue is that we have tried that to no avail as they do not want to accept that there is any issue with their cement. All the test repoerts are within range so to speak of the cement standards. How do I go about proving that the problem is with their cement?
We are fast running out of options here, so I can only suggest that you might invite one of their technical people out to your site and show them the problem first hand.
Also, you could trial a less hydroscopic cement setting accelerator such as calcium formate, instead of calcium chloride.
Regards,
Ted.
Ok.. will try calcium formate....Do you recommend Sodium Nitrate? However, FYI Calcium Chloride is a standard raw material in making this product, used by all the manufacturers.
We had called their technical person, but even after visits, they do not provide any answers...positive or negative. They just dilly dally and pass time. :(
Ok.. will try calcium formate....Do you recommend Sodium Nitrate?
No, sodium nitrate is also deliquescent, as is calcium nitrate (another known cement setting accelerator). The benefit of calcium formate is that it is non-deliquescent, which may improve your intermittent 'lumping' problem. Also, sodium nitrate is a far less effective set accelerator than either calcium formate or calcium nitrate.
Yes, but it is only one of many different types of setting accelerators available, such as;- calcium formate, calcium nitrate, aluminum chloride, potassium carbonate, sodium chloride, sodium nitrate and calcium chloride (and for high alumina cements;- lithium carbonate, lithium sulfate and lithium hydroxide)However, FYI Calcium Chloride is a standard raw material in making this product, used by all the manufacturers.
Calcium chloride is most widely used due to its ready availability, low cost, well known performance characteristics, and successful application over several decades. However, the others are used when particular problems preclude the use of calcium chloride, for example in applications where the use of potentially corrosive chlorides are undesirable.
Calcium Formate in dry powder form is popular for use as a set accelerator for drymix mortars
We had called their technical person, but even after visits, they do not provide any answers...positive or negative. They just dilly dally and pass time. :(
I guess there's nothing you can do about that. It's unfortunate that there is no other alternative white cement suppliers nearby.
Regards,
Ted.