Concrete additives such as superplasticizers are used for the production of high-performance concrete and to improve flow characteristics. Moreover, they improve processability and facilitate the placing and compacting of concrete. They also allow for a lower water-to-cement ratio, thus improving concrete strength and durability. Third-generation superplasticizers are typically aqueous polymer solutions based on VISIOMER® MPEG methacrylates and methacrylic acid . VISIOMER® MPEG 2005 MA W and VISIOMER® MPEG 5005 MA W are important building blocks for the synthesis of super plasticizers for concrete admixture systems. Quaternized monomers such as VISIOMER® TMAEMC can be used to further optimize the performance of superplasticizers and subsequently the mechanical properties of the hardened concrete.

Chemical anchors are a combination of mechanical parts and adhesive substances that work together to bond old concrete to new concrete, or bolt items, such as rails or mechanical equipment, to concrete surfaces. Using methacrylate reactive resin compositions as binders for the art of chemical fastening is common practice. The reactive resin compositions in question are two-component systems, in which one component comprises the reactive resin and the other the curing agent. One or both components may include other, customary constituents such as fillers, accelerants, stabilizers, solvents (including comonomers as reactive solvents).

Mixing the two components then leads to the formation of free radicals and the initiation of the reaction, which thermosets the resin. The resin component of systems used for this purpose contains a mixture of mono and multifunctional methacrylates as reactive diluents. They improve adhesion and show moderate polymerization shrinkage.  VISIOMER® EGDMA, VISIOMER® 1,4 BDDMA, VISIOMER® TRGDMA, VISIOMER® PEG 200 DMA and VISIOMER®TMPTMA are typically used for the multifunctional component.

Reactive resins based on methacrylates serve as binders for polymer concrete,  industrial flooring and reactive road marking compounds. They are easy to process and cure rapidly even at low temperatures. The systems used for this purpose consist of a resin component containing the multifunctional methacrylates as reactive thinners and a filler component including a peroxide to trigger polymerization. The resin content of the systems varies between 5 and 35%. 

Cracks in concrete can occur for various reasons, such as setting or shrinking, or because of a faulty design or problems in the construction process. Water bearing cracks are cause for particular concern because they can lead to corrosion of reinforcements, and jeopardize the building’s safety. Methacrylate crack injection systems offer a simple and effective solution for filling and sealing the cracks. This prevents water from entering and provides durable protection. These systems also display a strong bonding capacity to concrete, thus providing outstanding structural integrity. The material’s viscosity is very low, which enables a high degree of penetration.

Compared to conventional sealers, methacrylate reactive resins are solvent-free, fast-curing, and enable rapid turnaround. Furthermore, they are compatible with methacrylate coatings and they improve weather and aging resistance.VISIOMER® methacrylates are useful as reactive components in gels for injection sealing applications. After curing, the acrylic resin forms a hydrogel that swells in contact with water, thus preventing further water penetration into concrete structures. Formulations of water soluble VISIOMER® MPEG 2005 MA W, VISIOMER® MPEG 5005 MA W and VISIOMER® DMAPMA with hydrophilic crosslinkers like VISIOMER® PEG200 DMA are well established as injection gels, while VISIOMER® PEG 8000 DMA W is used for joint sealing applications. .