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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhen temperatures drop below 5\u00b0C, the slower hydration process could even cause extended bleeding. At temperatures lower than that, there is a risk that the water in the concrete will freeze. Water expands by 9% when it freezes, so it could even cause cracking if the concrete has not reached sufficient strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo deal with very hot weather, customers use our CHRYSO\u00ae Tard range of plasticisers, which ensures enough open time,\u201d he says. \u201cThis retarder slows down the hydration of cement by momentarily blocking the surface of the cement particles and delaying the time of initial setting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For cold weather, he recommends the CHRYSO\u00ae XEL range of chloride and non-chloride accelerators, which help with early strength gain of concrete. To deal with the risk of water freezing in the concrete, CHRYSO\u00ae Air helps by adding extra air to the mix. Instead of cracking the concrete, the freezing water will expand into the capillary openings that the air entrainer has created. These low temperatures are not that common in South Africa, but more relevant to higher elevated areas such as the Lesotho Highlands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnother form of extreme weather leading to challenges with concrete is heavy rainfall that causes flooding,\u201d he says. \u201cProtection of concrete in rainy conditions is of the utmost importance, as this will eliminate surface blemishes on exposed concrete areas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n