The basis of almost any masonry mortar is sand, water and cement. It is possible to add other components, mineral additives that give certain characteristics to the set material. Masonry mortar according to GOST can be simple (the binder is cement, and the filler is sand), or complex (several binders and ingredients are used that help increase strength, accelerate setting, etc.).
Please note that the grades of masonry mortars must correspond to the masonry materials used on the site. Also important properties of the mixture are its plasticity, density, aesthetic properties, viability.
What are masonry mortars?
Ready-made cement masonry mortar can be used for the following types of work::
- Laying of bricks, gas silicate, cinder block, seashell;
- Installation of precast concrete of various sizes (slabs, blocks, floors, staircases);
- Manufacturing of various construction products (vibroglass blocks, panels, tiles)by the method of vibration casting;
- Installation of decorative elements, load-bearing structures, metal structures;
- Repair work (fixing cracks, fixing objects);
- Protection of materials and substrates from negative external influences (mechanical damage, rain, abrasion).
Masonry mixes are characterized by ease of preparation, plasticity, long life, fine-grained filler. After setting, masonry mortars are resistant to frost, tolerate short-term contact with water, and can be used in humid environments, as well as in places where temperature changes are observed. It is very important to adhere to the technology of manufacturing and using masonry mixes to ensure the strength of the entire structure. Very often, problems arise on construction sites when the technology of manufacturing the mixture is violated, it is used on an unprepared surface, without quality control of masonry, and so on. As a result, the joint may have high strength, but the entire wall plane will be covered with defects or may have a loose structure. In some cases, it is appropriate to use masonry mortars as a facing mixture. The material provides good tightness, does not change its appearance for a long time, and provides water resistance.
Types of masonry mortars
In low-rise construction, only three types of mortars are used mainly:
- Lime masonry mortar-very plastic, inexpensive, easy to install, perfectly suitable for materials where low shrinkage is required. Durability is average, poor tolerance to wet environments. Another disadvantage is the long setting time, which significantly slows down the construction of houses, piers, and installation of elements. It can only be used in the aboveground part of a building. It is most often used for building partitions and other planning structures inside the house. Does not tolerate much stress, you can not build load-bearing walls from this material. Very sensitive to lime quality and storage conditions.
- Cement-sand mortar is the most common, used for laying load-bearing walls, piers, creating a waterproofing layer, when installing precast concrete and load-bearing structures. It is characterized by high strength, water resistance, and ease of use. The average setting speed, universal application, low labor costs made this type of masonry mortars the most acceptable for low-rise construction.
- Cement-lime masonry mortar is also a universal mixture that has high strength and is allowed for use in underground structures, in the construction of load-bearing structures, piers that experience low and medium stress.
Important! Mobility, setting time, and strength of solutions are determined by their composition. Carefully read the technical specifications of building materials before purchasing. Finished mixes should not be mixed with other components to prevent loss of strength.
Composition of masonry mortars
- Gypsum-gypsum, a small amount of cement, sand and water. Due to the presence of gypsum, it hardens quickly, but slowly gains strength.
- Lime-cement, lime (lime dough), water and sand. The presence of cement is optional.
- Cement mortar of masonry-sand, water, cement. It is allowed to use mineral components, fibers, plasticizers, polymers. Fine gravel or coarse sand can be used.
This is the basic composition of universal mixtures, but there is a large list of special masonry mortars that are resistant to aggressive chemical compounds, with increased moisture and heat resistance.
Scope of masonry mortars
Brand 75
- Preparing the basics;
- Providing a waterproofing layer;
- Protecting materials under mortar;
- Prevention of moisture loss due to vapors (steam barrier);
- Zabutovka;
- Filling joints; decorative repairs;
- Natural stone masonry.
Brand 100
- Drawing up precast concrete products;
- Providing external wall coverings;
- Masonry of bricks, silicate gas, and cinder blocks;
- Wall and floor alignment;
- Construction of load-bearing columns;
- Preparation for soft roofing.
Brand 150
- Application in the field of complex construction, work with high loads;
- Foundation construction; laying on foundation blocks;
- Construction of high-strength floor screed;
- Construction of hydraulic structures;
- Construction of swimming pool bowls.
Employees of the AlfatSem group of companies will help you choose the best masonry mortar for your operating conditions, goals and objectives. We will arrange delivery to any regions of Russia, supplement the order with related products and construction materials.
Very often, manufacturers label their products differently, for example, “assembly glue”, “masonry glue”, “universal mortar” and so on. This is due, of course, to marketing, but also to the changed formulation of the solution. Adding components significantly expands the scope of application:
- Increased heat resistance for the construction of stoves, chimneys, fireplaces;
- Solution elasticity to prevent cracking;
- The addition of dyes improves the aesthetics of masonry;
- The addition of polymers increases UV resistance, prevents dirt from entering the seam joint;
- Thermal insulation properties reduce heat loss through masonry.
Previously, factory-made mortar was used on construction sites, which was delivered in pears, drained into special containers, and all construction teams had to work it out during the viability of the masonry mortar (several hours). Today, mixes are delivered in convenient bags of 25-50 kg, so the bricklayer can not mix a lot of material, and then rush to work it out. The mixture can be prepared in a regular bucket or whisk bucket, even without using concrete mixers and other mechanisms.