Construction chemistry
Under construction chemicals , often referred to as Building chemicals, is generally understood as the chemicals in the building industry . Due to its immense importance for the economy, construction chemistry is an independent field of inorganic chemistry . Construction chemistry combines the specialist fields of technical chemistry in the building material and component manufacturing industry , the scientific basics of materials and building materials science and physics through to mineralogy , chemical-technical thermodynamics through to materials chemistry in the context of materials science . It is primarily concerned with the chemical and physical properties of building materials and their chemical reactions and connections. Important examples are the chemical reactions during the hardening of the cement in the concrete (topic: hydration in the sub-area of cement chemistry) and the protection of the reinforcing steel against rust in the alkaline environment of the concrete (in general: building material corrosion in the context of applied physical chemistry ).
Another area is the reactions of building materials when other substances act on them, for example the damage mechanisms when acid rain is caused by air pollutants and affects inorganic non-metallic building materials (e.g. concrete, plaster or mortar). The dissolving attack on concrete (so-called concrete corrosion ) is also summarized under the generic term "chemical attack". Another well-known topic is the alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in concrete aggregates . Also efflorescence of masonry are mostly chemical compounds in the field of inorganic chemistry . A construction chemical damage analysis is therefore usually a prerequisite for successful renovation and repair work on damaged components and building materials.
In addition, construction chemistry provides chemicals with which buildings can be protected, sealed or renovated. These are e.g. B. paints , sealants, adhesives, etc. With epoxy resins , for example, components can be positively connected and cracks can be repaired with sealants . With certain paints or coatings , buildings can be protected against graffiti or early soiling. Hydrophobic plaster coatings based on the lotus effect should also be mentioned here.
- Aggregates change the chemical and physical properties of inorganic non-metallic building materials and materials (bulk density, compressive and flexural strength, abrasion, hardness, chemical resistance, etc.).
Chemical additives and admixtures have an even more far-reaching influence on the chemical and physical properties of building materials. Are known in particular, the concrete admixtures such as set accelerators, condenser , sealants, air entraining agents or retarders .
In construction chemistry it is customary to indicate the chemical compounds in the form of short notation . The conventional IUPAC notation is mostly used when a special statement about chemistry, for example the chemical composition or the oxidation state of an element, is to be expressed.
In 2015, for example, the manufacturing revenues of construction chemicals in Austria amounted to 196 million euros. These include tile adhesives, joint and filler compounds (91 million), joint sealants & PU foam (60 million), flooring and parquet adhesives (21 million) and floor coatings (24 million).
literature
- Horst Reul: Handbook of Construction Chemistry . Augsburg 1991; ISBN 3-87846-143-7 .
- Lea, F M .; Hewlett, PC: Chemistry of Cement and Concrete (4th Ed.) . Butterworth-Heinemann, 2004; ISBN 978-0-7506-6256-7 .
Web links
- Building materials chemistry - chemistry in building
- Hazardous substances information system of the professional association BAU
Individual evidence
- ↑ 2015 was a difficult year for construction chemistry. ( Memento of the original from September 29, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. home decor, March 24, 2016.
