The process of curing paving stones and kerbstones requires not only sufficient heat but also an equally controlled addition of moisture. The reason for this is that the fresh concrete for these products usually has a low water content (earth-moist) to enable the stones to be pressed into shape. It is therefore essential to create an environment in which the product does not “dry out”, but instead hardens in a controlled manner through the addition of moisture to the chamber environment, so that the cement it contains can fully react. Increasing the temperature in the chambers ensures that the natural curing process is accelerated
For safety reasons, railway sleepers are subject to extremely high quality requirements. An absolutely perfectly controlled curing climate is therefore required. Due to the high quality of cement used, it is often not only necessary to heat and moisten the product, but also to cool it if the desired temperature is exceeded.
Prestressed concrete is produced from wet concrete in formworks. There is therefore sufficient water in the fresh concrete. However, it is important that the necessary heat reaches the concrete quickly and effectively through the formwork in order to achieve a more rapid curing of the product.
The curing of paving slabs requires not only sufficient heat but also an equally controlled addition of moisture. The reason for this is that the fresh concrete for these products usually has a low water content (earth-moist) to enable the slabs to be pressed into shape. It is therefore essential to create an environment in which the product does not “dry out”, but instead hardens in a controlled manner through the addition of moisture to the chamber environment, so that the cement it contains can react completely. Increasing the temperature in the chambers ensures that the natural curing process is accelerated.
The curing of roof tiles requires not only sufficient heat but also an equally controlled addition of moisture. The reason for this is that the fresh concrete for these products usually has a low water content (earth-moist) to enable the tiles to be pressed into shape. It is therefore essential to create an environment in which the product does not “dry out”, but instead hardens in a controlled manner through the addition of moisture to the chamber environment so that the cement it contains can fully react. Increasing the temperature in the chambers ensures that the natural curing process is accelerated.
The curing of roof tiles requires not only sufficient heat but also an equally controlled addition of moisture. The reason for this is that the fresh concrete for these products usually has a low water content (earth-moist) to enable the tiles to be pressed into shape. It is therefore essential to create an environment in which the product does not “dry out”, but instead hardens in a controlled manner through the addition of moisture to the chamber environment so that the cement it contains can fully react. Increasing the temperature in the chambers ensures that the natural curing process is accelerated.
Breeze blocks (concrete building blocks) usually contain coarser aggregates than, for example, paving stones and their surface is therefore coarse and open-pored. The use of steam, which contains a lot of water and is therefore an excellent heat transfer medium, is therefore recommended during production. In addition, fly ash, which acts hydraulically at certain temperatures and thus as a bonding medium similar to cement, is used in many blocks. This enables a portion of the cement to be saved.
Wet concrete is usually used in manufacturing precast concrete parts. The concrete mix thus usually already contains a very high proportion of water, so that no additional moisturisation is normally necessary. As, in our systems, the air in the chamber is only heated and circulated without the addition of dry outside air, the humidity in the chambers remains constant and is sufficient to prevent cracking. Additional moisturisation is only necessary in a few cases.
Bridge components are produced from wet concrete in formworks: there is therefore sufficient water in the fresh concrete. However, it is important that the necessary heat reaches the concrete quickly and effectively through the formwork in order to achieve a more rapid curing of the product.
Concrete pipes are either pressed into shape or cast in formworks. The water content is low in pressed pipes and high in cast pipes. Depending on the production process, either the pressed pipes or the formworks are set aside to harden and then enclosed in foils or tents. In the case of earth-moist pipes, any drying out of the pipes must be avoided in order to prevent cracking. For this reason, during production it is advisable to use steam, which contains a lot of water and is also an excellent heat transfer medium (in the case of steel formworks).
Hollow ceiling components are manufactured using extruders on long beds placed either in production halls or outdoors. In the past, hardening was achieved through the use of steam. The disadvantage of this method is that the resulting condensation creates an accumulation of water. Instead, heating by means of heating loops combined with covering the product suffices. This prevents the formation of condensation.
Wet-cast products are manufactured from very wet fresh concrete, so that no additional moisture needs to be provided. Only heat is required to accelerate the curing process.
