Argical®

Metakaolin for low carbon cement, mortars and concrete, lime mortars and plasters

Metakaolin is a pozzolanic, amorphous, silico-aluminate manufactured through the careful calcination of high quality kaolin. The pozzolanicity of metakaolin refers to its ability to react with calcium hydroxide and limestone, thus increasing strength and durability of concrete and mortars. 
In construction, Metakaolin is used in the manufacture of cements, concrete, and drymix mortars. Its synergy with calcium carbonate makes it perfectly suited for applications like tile adhesive, renders, technical mortars as well as high performance concrete.

Manufactured through the calcination of kaolin to form an amorphous pozzolanic white mineral additive, our Argical-M range of metakaolins provides a broad range of benefits in concretes, lime mortars and plasters. The pozzolanic reactivity of metakaolin refers to its ability to react with calcium hydroxide in specialty binder based products. It is also used as an additive to substitute specialty binders.

When used in concrete, Argical-M reduces porosity which allows for a reduction in the ‘cover’ of concrete needed to protect reinforcing bars from corrosion, making it ideal for road and marine structures exposed to corrosive salts. Argical-M also provides a higher cured compressive strength and speeds up curing and early strength development, in turn making it perfect for applications where high strength is required quickly such as airport aprons. 

Argical-M also reduces efflorescence by reducing the porosity of the concrete and reacting with lime salts before they reach the concrete surface. Additionally, Argical-M can be used to modify the handling properties of wet concrete, which particularly benefits the viscosity profile and reduces the tendency to bleed, making leveling and achieving a good surface finish easier.

In glass fiber reinforced concretes, Argical-M is used to prevent lime formation which compromises connections between the cement matrix and the fibers causing breakdown of pieces. Lastly, our premium pozzolanic Argical-M products provide improved strength, durability, workability and finish in Portland cement-based concrete.

When used in lime mortars and plasters, our Argical-M range of reactive pozzolans are ideal for achieving hydraulic set in traditional lime putty mortars and plasters, as well as for improving the mechanical strength of floor mortars. Pozzolans are helpful when applying lime putty mixes in damp, frost prone or exposed locations. The addition of Argical-M to lime putty mixes will increase compressive strength which helps to offer additional protection during the carbonation period.

Key benefits 

• Ease-of-use:
  • Prevent bleeding phenomena in flooring compounds
  • Good compatibility with usual mortar components (binder, pigments, SCM)
  • Increase yield stress of thixotropic products, decrease sagging
• Robustness & protection:
  • Increase mechanical strength by reacting with free lime and limestone
  • Increase durability by decreasing porosity
    • Reduce water absorption
    • Reduce alkali-silica reaction
    • Increase salt & chemical resistance
    • Increase freeze/thaw resistance
• Visual comfort:
  • Reduce efflorescence in concrete & mortars by decreasing free lime
  • Compatible with white and light colored products
• Lean mix design:
  • Contribute to optimize binder content & lower CO2 emissions & cost savings
  • Supports CO₂ reduction in cementitious systems