Epoxy injections are a popular method of restoring pre-cracking conditions of a member without increasing its strength. This technique is commonly used to repair concrete cracks that are relatively dry, as epoxy injections will not shift or react with water. The epoxy tensile bond to the concrete substrate is stronger than the tensile strength of concrete, and future cracking may occur with the same load as that of the original seamless member, but at different locations. Crack injection can be successfully performed in cracks as narrow as 0.013 mm wide with general epoxy injection resins.
Cracks with less width can be injected with epoxy or other polymer systems having a low viscosity of 200 cps. Epoxy resins have relatively high tensile and compressive strengths relative to concrete, and they are generally considered “rigid” materials. The ARDEX injection range for concrete crack repair & uses a high-strength, fast-setting two-part system to repair concrete damage from fine cracks to structural repairs. These products are ideal for repairing holes, chips and cracks in concrete, in both internal and external situations where heavy vehicle traffic is anticipated.
Once cured, the repaired concrete cracks will be two to three times stronger than the original concrete, ensuring a durable and long-lasting crack repair solution. Epoxy pressure injection can be used to bond cracks that have an opening greater than or equal to 0.05 mm. Epoxy resins and other resins lose strength when exposed to fire or sustained elevated temperatures and flame retardant protection is required for such structural repairs. Epoxy resins are also excellent for recovering structural strength in torn concrete structures and other substrates such as wood. For the repair of cracks in concrete floors, there are certain epoxy and polyurea materials suitable for such tile repairs. Epoxy resins are formulated with specific fillers to allow the penetration of small cracks and a low exotherm for larger cracks. In conclusion, epoxy injections are an effective way to repair concrete cracks without increasing its strength.
This technique is suitable for dry cracks as narrow as 0.013 mm wide, and it can be used to bond cracks that have an opening greater than or equal to 0.05 mm. The ARDEX injection range is ideal for repairing holes, chips and cracks in concrete, in both internal and external situations where heavy vehicle traffic is anticipated.
