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Everything You Need To Know About Safetard Gel – 25L

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Water Based Surface Retarder for Application to Formwork

Description
A transparent, gel type composition colour tinted to assist application.

Advantages

Easily applied by brush to all formwork types
Weather resistant
Single coat application
Concrete can be applied immediately or later
Non staining
Water based with no flammable or toxic constituents
Any residue on formwork is easily removed
Can be used on vertical surfaces

SAFETARD GEL has been formulated to retard the set of fresh concrete that comes into contact with it. It is
ideally suited to the production of exposed aggregate finishes or ‘keyed’ surfaces for construction joints or for
subsequent application of plasters or renders.
It is coloured to give a visual indication of where it has been applied.

Formwork Preparation
Best results are achieved on a mould face that is clean, dry and free of any deposits,with uniform
absorbency. To facilitate cleaning of mould after stripping it is recommended that a very light mist coat of
SAFELEASE Release Agent be applied to the mould face and allowed to dry thoroughly before application of
SAFETARD GEL.

Application
It is possible that on prolonged storage partial separation of the constituents may have occurred; therefore it is
advisable to lightly stir the material before use. Apply uniformly by brush or roller in temperatures above freezing.
Concrete may be placed immediately if care is taken to avoid displacing the SAFETARD GEL, if left it will dry to
produce a surface that is resistant to rain.
After use care should be taken to remove all traces of the SAFETARD GEL by washing, prior to reuse.

Coverage
A typical coverage of 3-4 square metres per litre. Actual rate will depend on surface texture and porosity

Placing Concrete
On horizontal pours the concrete should be placed evenly across the surface. If the concrete is poured from one end
only and moved across the face a heavy scouring action results which could remove retarder from the mould face. On
vertical pours the mould face should be protected from concrete splashes. This is best achieved by use of a tremie or
a sheet placed in the mould and withdrawn gradually as level of concrete rises.

Stripping Moulds
Time before stripping is dependent upon the numerous factors which affect the rate of hardening of concrete. In
general stripping should be within 1-2 days. For longer periods or where an accelerated method of hardening is
adopted tests should first be made on trial panels to establish the optimum stripping time.

Removal of Retarded Matrix
Contact with the air stiffens the surface of the retarded sand/cement matrix. Therefore removal of the matrix should
be as soon as possible after stripping of mould.The stiffening factor can be used to reduce depth of aggregate
exposure by delaying removal of matrix for a period established by trials. Removal of retarded matrix should be by
low pressure water jetting and broom or wire brushing in two directions at right angles to each other.

Storage
In sealed containers in excess of 12 months. Protect from frost.

By Complete Construction Products

Everything You Need To Know About Safetard Gel – 25L

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