M.A. Concrete Ltd.
Concrete toppings since 1977
Authorized Applicator
Self-Compacting Concrete
About the Product
Self-compacting concrete or self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is a highly flowable, non-segregating form of concrete that is ideally suited for use in thin 1½" to 2" toppings. Although the "recipe" varies slightly from different suppliers, in each case the high flow is achieved through the use of next-generation chemicals.
These chemicals include superplasticizers (SP), viscosity-enhancing admixtures (VEA) and water-reducing agents (WRA). The result is a very fluid (high viscosity) mix which is placed without the need for vibrators.
These chemicals also achieve the high flow without the need for adding large amounts of water which often has deleterious effects on the hardened concrete. In the hands of skilled placers, this specialty mix provides an excellent high strength substrate for virtually any flooring.
Although SCC Concrete was not new to the concrete industry, it was MA Concrete, in collaboration with several Ready Mix Suppliers who pioneered its development and modification for use in thin toppings. Trials began in 2001 and by 2005 SCC Concrete had become the industry standard.
About the Installation Process
SCC Concrete arrives on a job site in a conventional concrete mixer truck and is pumped to the placing location with a standard concrete pump. The outside operation appears similar to regular concrete, but that's where the similarity ends. Once poured onto the floor, the concrete is "jigged" into place with the use of specialty tools (jiggers) that create a wave in the material which is propagated through the concrete. It is the combination of the wave propagation (the addition of very low frequency vibration) and the highly fluid nature of the material which tends to level the surface. This method has the unique advantage of
automatically adjusting the depth, regardless of the levelness of the subsurface. The result is a flat floor, ready to meet most flooring tolerances.