Sikanol® M

Sikanol® M is a liquid plasticizing and air-entraining additive with normal setting properties, specifically designed for cement mortars. Its primary function is to improve the workability of the mixture, increase its cohesion, and incorporate a controlled amount of air, thereby facilitating masonry work.

brick bedding mortars;

block laying;

rendering;

plastering;

general masonry work;

and stabilized mortars when used in conjunction with the appropriate additives.

It is particularly useful when working with sands whose particle size or quality make it difficult to achieve a plastic and workable mortar.

The addition of Sikanol® M improves plasticity without the need to indiscriminately increase the amount of water.

A mortar that is too dry is difficult to spread and compact; one prepared with too much water loses cohesion, may segregate, and subsequently develops greater porosity and shrinkage.

Sikanol® M allows for a more workable mix while maintaining better control over the water-to-cement ratio.

improved workability;

the ability to reduce mixing water;

increased cohesion;

reduced tendency to segregate;

controlled air entrainment;

and maintenance of the mortar’s normal setting time.

The air-entraining effect introduces small, evenly distributed bubbles into the mixture.

These microbubbles improve the plasticity of the fresh mortar and, once hardened, help enhance its resistance to freezing and weathering.

Air incorporation must be controlled. Adding an excessive amount of the product does not automatically result in better performance: too high an air content can alter the mortar’s mechanical properties.

Therefore, Sika’s dosage recommendations must be followed and adapted to the mixing procedure.

For mortars prepared mechanically in a concrete mixer, the Spanish technical data sheet specifies:

1. 01 1% of the weight of the cement.

50 grams of Sikanol® M per 50-kg bag of cement.

This relatively low dosage explains why the additive must be measured accurately rather than added approximately.

When the mortar is mixed by hand, Sika increases the recommended dosage to:

1. 01 2% of the weight of the cement.

100 grams per 50-kg bag of cement.

The difference stems from the varying degrees of homogenization achieved through mechanical versus manual mixing.

Sikanol® M must be added to the mixing water.

Sika specifies that it should not be poured directly onto the dry mixture of cement and sand.

A good work sequence involves first measuring out the required amount of water, adding the corresponding amount of Sikanol® M, and then using that solution to mix the mortar.

During preparation, take advantage of its plasticizing capacity to reduce the amount of water, rather than maintaining the same volume of water that would be used in a mortar without additives.

This reduction can subsequently improve the mechanical strength and quality of the hardened mortar.

In plastering, a more cohesive mixture facilitates spreading with a trowel and reduces the mortar’s tendency to segregate during handling.

In brick or block masonry, adequate workability makes it easier to form a uniform bed, position the units, and keep the mortar in the joint without it losing its consistency excessively.

It should not, however, be interpreted as a specific adhesive or as a substitute for the mechanical requirements that the mortar must meet depending on the application.

Type

normal-setting plasticizer and air-entraining agent.

Ready-to-use liquid product.

Color

brown.

Composition

aqueous solution of alkalis.

Approximate density

1.08 kg/L.

Approximate pH

8.

Chloride content

≤1%.

Alkali content

≤5%.

The Spanish product data sheet classifies it in accordance with UNE-EN 934-3, Table 2, as an air-entraining additive/plasticizer at equal consistency.

A very important limitation

it is not Sika®-1

Sika expressly states that Sikanol® M is not a waterproofing agent for mortars.

Although controlled air entrainment can improve certain aspects of weather resistance, its primary function is to plasticize and aerate the mixture, not to waterproof it.

If the primary objective of the mixture is to reduce water penetration, a specific waterproofing agent such as Sika®-1 or another product designed for that purpose must be selected.

This distinction is important because both are liquid mortar additives, but their technical objectives differ.

The Spanish technical data sheet also expressly states that Sikanol® M is not an additive suitable for concrete.

It must be used in the cementitious mortars for which it was formulated.

For concrete, there are other Sika plasticizers, superplasticizers, air-entraining agents, and waterproofing agents that are specifically classified and tested for that use.

The addition of Sikanol® M under the recommended conditions does not alter the mortar’s normal setting time.

When producing a stabilized mortar with a prolonged service life, it must be used in combination with the additive system specified by Sika, and not simply by increasing the amount of Sikanol® M.

The Spanish technical data sheet specifies an approximate shelf life of 2 years in properly sealed original containers, stored in a cool, frost-free location at temperatures between approximately 0 and +30 °C.

Sika indicates that if the product accidentally freezes, it can be restored by slow thawing and careful stirring before use.

5 kg container.

25 kg container as specified in the Spanish technical documentation.