Swelling tape

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A source tape is a grout material , which under uptake of water increases its volume.

In practice, swelling tapes are divided into a) bentonite swelling tapes and b) water- reactive swelling rubbers . Bentonite expansion joint tapes are preferably used in in- situ concrete construction for sealing construction joints. Water-reactive swelling rubbers are preferably used in precast concrete construction for sealing element joints.

Bentonite swelling tape

The bentonite swelling tape is usually characterized by a strong, quick and reliable swelling behavior. It consists of sodium bentonite, embedded in a matrix of high-molecular polyisobutylene rubber as well as special fillers and additives. The bentonite swelling joint tape is used to seal structural joints that are constantly or temporarily exposed to ground, slope and / or surface water. The construction joints required for construction can be made watertight up to 7  bar = 70  mWS pressure . The use in water change zones is usually possible with today's products and should have been tested in a long-term test. In in-situ concrete construction, bentonite expansion joint tapes have the advantage that even fine cracks as a result of the expansion process are reliably and permanently sealed.

Water reactive swelling rubber

The water-reactive swelling rubber is a joint sealing profile that swells under the action of water and is preferably used for joints in segment construction / element construction / segment construction / pipe jacking. Swelling rubbers have been specially developed for the use of successful joint sealing in segment construction (precast concrete parts / concrete segments) up to water pressures of 5 bar. In segment construction, swelling rubbers have the advantage that they swell in a “dimensionally stable” manner even when water enters and cannot be rinsed out of the mostly “open” segment joints.

In Germany, a general building authority test certificate from a materials testing institute (MPA) must be available for "swelling tapes" , which certifies the usability of the product.