SIRIO SILICAFUME, commonly known as silica fume or microsilica, is a product derived from the reduction process of quartzite during the production of ferrosilicon alloys or metallic silicon.
This reduction process, which takes place in electric arc furnaces at a temperature of 2000 °C (the same temperature that occurs during the formation of natural pozzolans), generates a gas with a high silicon oxide content which, upon contact with air, oxidizes and transforms into amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO2). The silicon dioxide is then captured by filters that remove combustion residues and eliminate potential unwanted reactions in concrete. At the end of this process, a powder is obtained with characteristics such as extremely high fineness, spherical shape, amorphous structure, and particle size of approximately 0.1 μm (microns).
Fields of application: wherever high-performance concrete with high strength, impermeability, and durability characteristics is required. It is also ideal for underwater concrete casting in the presence of groundwater.
Advantages: it eliminates the alkali–aggregate reaction and produces sulfate-resistant concrete, significantly improving the performance of the mix. Chloride penetration is reduced by 50 to 100%, while permeability decreases by a factor of 10. Mechanical strength increases by 50 to 100%, and the adhesive strength of the mix increases considerably without compromising workability.
Carbonation is also reduced by up to 100 times, and electrical resistivity increases by approximately 500 times, providing the concrete element with very high anti-corrosion protection. The addition of SIRIO SILICAFUME also significantly increases chemical resistance, allowing the production of concrete with extremely high durability.
Consumption: 5–15% by weight of cement.
Packaging: 20 kg bag; 1200 kg big bag.
