Epoxy resin injection is a process used to permanently bond even the smallest cracks and crack branching in concrete and masonry. This structural bond is achieved by using epoxy resins with low and high viscosity. Epoxy resin has a relatively high tensile and compressive strength compared to concrete, making it a rigid material that is widely used for structural repairs. Its low viscosity allows for excellent penetration into cracks and strong adhesion to concrete, which helps ensure a permanent and long-lasting load transfer. Epoxy injection is commonly used to restore the pre-cracking condition of the member without increasing its strength.
The epoxy tensile bond to the concrete substrate is stronger than the tensile strength of concrete. Future cracking may occur with the same load as that of the original seamless member, but in different locations. Reinforcement is achieved by the installation of additional reinforcements along the fault plane in combination with resin injection. Often, internal or external reinforcement is installed in combination with epoxy injection for strengthening and restoration. Crack injection can be successfully performed in cracks as narrow as 0.013 mm wide with general epoxy injection resins.
Cracks with a smaller width can be injected with epoxy or other polymer systems that have a low viscosity of 200 cps. 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. Typically, an epoxy resin for injection is a low-viscosity, moisture-tolerant material that sets slowly and has a high modulus.
Epoxy injection is a resin-based sealant that is forced into cracks inside the concrete to prevent the rebar from being damaged and to prevent water from accumulating in the base. Applied to specifications, epoxy resin repairs are highly resistant and extremely strong long-term repair solutions. Polyurethane resins are hydrophobic, flexible and are used for non-structural injection sealing and waterproofing voids, cracks and joints. Epoxy paste for surface repairs, for preparing cracks for resin injection and for bonding SealBoss surface ports are also available. The appropriate viscosity, in the case of injectable resins, must be able to penetrate into the smallest voids of the crack.
The epoxy resin will form into a paste if the cement particles are not removed, which will cause the repair of the epoxy injection to fail, so vacuum support systems must be used. WEBAC EP injection resins are compatible with masonry mortar, concrete, steel, sheet and cable coatings. The type of injection resin you will need varies depending on the depth of the structural cracks, as well as whether or not it is a crack on the blind side. Acrylate resin based materials seal and waterproof leaks through their hydrophilic swelling behavior in contact. Injection ports, which can be surface mount ports or plug mount ports, are the means by which epoxy resin will be supplied into the cracks.
