In the GCC, AEA is used in concrete exposed to aggressive environments — coastal structures, marine exposure, underground car parks with de-icing salts, and precast elements where improved cohesion is required — and is a standard admixture in concrete mix designs across UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.
Technical specifications
| PARAMETER | SPECIFICATION | TEST METHOD |
|---|---|---|
| Types Available | Vinsol resin, saponified tall oil, alkyl sulphate, synthetic | — |
| Appearance | Brown to amber liquid (solution) | Visual |
| Active Content | 10 – 30% (solution type) | — |
| Air Entrainment | 3 – 8% air by volume (dosage dependent) | ASTM C231 |
| pH | 9.0 – 12.0 | — |
| Stability | Stable in cement paste pH environment (12–13) | — |
| Typical Dosage | 0.005 – 0.050% by weight of cement | — |
| Compliance | ASTM C260 / BS EN 934-2 | — |
| Packing | 25 kg / 200 kg drums / IBC | — |
| HS Code | 3824.40 |
Applications
- Marine & Coastal Concrete GCC — AEA is specified in BS 8500 and ACI 318 exposure class XS (marine) and XD (de-icing salts) — relevant to GCC coastal structures in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Kuwait City, Muscat, and Manama where chloride-induced corrosion is the primary concrete durability threat.
- Precast Concrete — Improved Cohesion — In precast operations across GCC — blocks, paving, kerbs, pipes, and structural elements — AEA improves mix cohesion and reduces bleeding, producing more consistent element quality and improved surface finish.
- Underground Parking Structures — GCC underground car parks exposed to de-icing chemicals (used on airport aprons and marine terminals) require air-entrained concrete meeting ASTM C260 for adequate durability.
- Concrete Masonry Units (CMU) & Blocks — AEA is used in concrete block production to improve mix workability at zero-slump conditions and enhance the surface quality of masonry blocks produced across GCC block factories.
- Pump-Applied Concrete & Shotcrete — Improves pump-ability and reduces pressure loss in concrete pumped on GCC high-rise construction sites — particularly beneficial in vertical pumping applications exceeding 200m on GCC super-tall towers.
Key properties
- Introduces stable, uniformly distributed microscopic air bubbles
- Significantly improves workability and reduces water demand
- Reduces bleeding and segregation in fresh concrete
- Provides freeze-thaw resistance (where applicable)
- Improves cohesion and pumpability
- Does not significantly affect compressive strength at 3–5% air
- Compatible with PCE, lignosulphonate, and other standard admixtures
- Stable across wide temperature range — effective in GCC hot conditions
Usage and recommendations
Dosage: 0.005–0.05% by weight of cement — highly dependent on cement type, aggregate type, mixing time, and target air content. Always measure fresh air content (ASTM C231 pressure meter or ASTM C173 volumetric method) and adjust dosage to achieve 4–6% air content for aggressive exposure classes. In GCC ready-mix: AEA is highly sensitive to cement alkali content — calibrate dosage with your specific cement source from Saudi Arabia, UAE, or import cements. Temperature increase reduces air entrainment efficiency — higher dosages required in summer. Contact Raykem for AEA trial mix support.
Packaging
- 25 kg Jerry Cans
- 200 kg Drums
- IBC 1,000 kg
Storage and shelf life
Store in sealed containers at 5–40°C. Do not freeze. Shelf life: 12 months.