Bentonite Waterstop Joint
Hydrophilic waterstop that seals construction joints by swelling in contact with water
When to use a Bentonite Waterstop
Bentonite waterstop are hydrophilic water sealing products that have become an indispensable tool in the construction industry, providing exceptional waterproofing, self-healing abilities, chemical resistance, flexibility, and ease of installation.
This unique product, harnessing the impressive properties of bentonite clay, offers exceptional performance in a wide range of construction applications, making it an indispensable tool for creating watertight barriers. Composed of natural sodium bentonite clay, these flexible strips effectively swell when exposed to water, creating an impermeable barrier. This unique property enables bentonite waterstop to prevent water infiltration in construction joints, and other vulnerable areas prone to leaks.
Bentonite waterstop is a strip-like element designed to be embedded within concrete joints or structures that are susceptible to water ingress. It acts as a physical barrier, effectively blocking the passage of water through joints, expansion joints, construction joints, and other vulnerable areas.
The key to the effectiveness of bentonite waterstops lies in the remarkable properties of bentonite clay. Bentonite is a natural clay mineral with a high water-absorption capacity. When hydrated, it undergoes a unique swelling process, increasing in volume. This swelling action occurs in response to moisture, enabling the bentonite waterstop to expand and create a watertight seal, even in high-pressure scenarios.
As water comes into contact with the bentonite, it triggers the swelling process, causing the profile to expand and fill any voids or gaps within the joint. The expansion and subsequent formation of the watertight barrier provide effective waterproofing, preventing water penetration and potential damage to the structure.
Advantages of Bentonite Waterstop
Bentonite waterstops offer numerous advantages that contribute to their popularity in the construction industry. Firstly, their ability to self-seal minor cracks or imperfections within the joint area is noteworthy. If the structure experiences slight movements or settlement, the bentonite within the waterstop can rehydrate and swell, effectively resealing any small fissures that may have developed. This self-healing property ensures continuous waterproofing performance and minimizes the need for frequent maintenance or repairs.
Moreover, bentonite waterstops are highly versatile and adaptable to various construction scenarios. They are commonly employed in below-grade applications, such as foundations, basements, tunnels, and parking structures. Additionally, they are effective in vertical applications, including retaining walls and swimming pools. The flexibility and ease of installation make bentonite waterstops suitable for both new construction projects and retrofitting existing structures.
Application of Bentonite Joint
Our bentonite joint is used for sealing construction joints of underground structures, and sealing non-movable joints from any possible ingress of water. The profile gradually increases in volume when in contact with water, ensuring waterproofing once confined between concrete.
The joint expands by 200-300% in volume and resists a water pressure of about 5 bar (50 m).
A typical application is in the waterproofing of construction joints, on concrete structures located at water level.
Even after repeated swelling cycles, our bentonite joint maintains a perfect seal thanks to its high rubber content, which helps to keep the product as compact as possible despite the large variations in volume.
We have bentonite waterstop in size 20x25mm and 20x10mm.
Installation of Bentonite Waterstop
Positioning the joint in place
For the installation it is necessary to pay attention to the positioning, which must not be too close to the edge of the structure, to allow an optimal confinement (the ideal is to have a distance of about 12-13 cm). To seal a structure completely, it is important that the hydrophilic bentonite waterstop creates a continuous path, without interruptions
The connection between a roll and the next roll occurs simply by placing the end of one roll side by side with the beginning of the next, making sure that the two ends run parallel for at least 5-6 cm.
Fixing the bentonite joint to the structure
Fixing the waterstop to the structure before casting the concrete it is extremely important to avoid it from moving.
There are a few methods to fix it: with steel nails and washers directly on the structure,
by means of a wire mesh (used to better control the expansion of the joint), or with special ANELTEC polymeric adhesive, which has with special sealing and elastic properties.
