Why the correct amount of water is a decisive factor for the mixture

The importance of the correct ratio of the individual ingredients for the optimum mixing result becomes particularly clear when mixing bagged ready-mixed materials. Even a comparatively small amount of water added to the dry material, either too much or too little, can have an immediate effect on processing and lead to a change in the material properties. The consequence would be an inadequate end result. This clearly shows the importance of precise dosing of the mixing water for an optimum working result. However, this is often the crux of the matter. This is because the water for the numerous mixtures required on the construction site is often measured by different people, making it almost impossible to avoid minor measuring and repetition inaccuracies. In addition, the water source is often at the other end of the construction site and carrying buckets makes the work even more difficult.

The right amount of water is crucial when mixing cement-bound building materials such as concrete or mortar. Precise dosing of water is important to achieve the optimum consistency and strength of the mixture. Here are some reasons why the right amount of water is important:

1.       Consistency: The right amount of water determines the consistency of the building material mixture. A mixture that is too dry is difficult to process and an insufficient distribution of the components will lead to an uneven distribution of the components. A mixture that is too moist can impair the strength of the end product.

2.       Firmness: Die Wassermenge beeinflusst direkt die Festigkeit des ausgehärteten Baustoffs. Ein zu niedriges Wasser-Bindemittel-Verhältnis kann zu einem unzureichenden Aushärten führen, was die Festigkeit des Materials verringert. Ein zu hohes Wasser-Bindemittel-Verhältnis kann ebenfalls die Festigkeit beeinträchtigen, da dies zu einer Verdünnung des Bindemittels führt.

3.       Processing capability: The amount of water directly influences the strength of the cured building material. A water/binder ratio that is too low can lead to insufficient curing, which reduces the strength of the material. A water/binder ratio that is too high can also impair the strength, as this leads to dilution of the binder.

4.       Durability: A well-balanced water-binder ratio ensures adequate impermeability and resistance to environmental influences such as freeze-thaw cycles, chemical attack and wear.

The consequences of inaccurate water dosing can be serious:

1.       Weak strength: Too much or too little water in the building material mixture reduces its strength, which can jeopardise the structural reliability of the building.

2.       Cracking: Inaccurate amounts of water lead to cracks in the cured building material, as this results in uneven curing or shrinkage.

3.       Poor adhesion: An incorrect water/binder ratio often leads to insufficient adhesion between the building material components, which can result in material parts coming loose or flaking off.

4.       Delayed drying: Too much water in the mixture is the cause of delayed curing, which can lead to delays in the construction time.

5.       Quality defect: An inaccurately measured material mix can lead to an inferior end product with the above-mentioned characteristics. This does not meet the required quality standards and leads to complaints and cost-intensive reworking.

Dosing the right amount of water and no more lugging buckets around

The mobile water dosing instrument AQiXenables precise dosing of the required amount of water without having to carry a bucket. This is because the battery-operated device is simply connected to a water hose via the standard hose coupling and can be easily attached to almost any bucket rim or directly to the mixing machine. This means that the water can be dosed easily and precisely to 0.1 litres* where it is to be mixed.

Another highlight is the memory button. It can be used to store the corresponding quantities of water for different materials in 0.1 litre increments in the appliance and call them up at the touch of a button - once the desired quantity of water has been reached, the appliance stops automatically.

The AQiX not only makes carrying buckets a thing of the past, it also means that precise water dosing, which is often required for ready-mixed materials, is no longer a problem. This not only makes work easier, but also prevents mixing errors. This in turn not only saves time, but also costs.

*measurable quantity: 0.3 to 99 litres