idmmc six brings together the drymix mortar community

As a warm up on the evening before the conference, the majority of the drymix mortar community already met for a convivial evening in the ­Nuremberg Barfüßer Mautkeller tavern. As in recent years the atmosphere of the tavern, originally a granary built in 1500, ensured a relaxed exchange of experience and networking.

On 03.04.2017, Ferdinand Leopolder, together with the Technical Chairman, Prof. Dr. Andreas Gerdes of the Karlruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), were able to welcome more than 160 participants. The conference was accompanied by an industry exhibition, at which plant manufacturers and suppliers to the mortar industry presented their products and were available for questions from interested parties.

The conference started with a presentation by Ludo van Nes Blessing, Caltra Nederland BV, entitled “White calcium sulpho aluminate cement”, discussing the question of choosing the right source of sulphate.

Andreas Hecker, F. A. Finger Institute, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, spoke about “Interactions between methyl cellulose and blended cements in dry mortar”. When examining the substitution of Portland cement with blended cements, aspects such as the effects on water retention, retardation of microstructure development and tensile adhesion strength of cementitious tile adhesive were investigated. All components within the drymix mortar system have to be carefully adjusted when using blended cements.

“Calcium aluminates technologies, a key towards future energy standards” was the subject dealt with by Dr. Dirk Niepmann, Kerneos GmbH. Due to efficient hydration CA technologies ensure a quick and self drying capacity while delivering robust performance; they meet the most demanding standard for 2020.

Dr.-Ing. Christian Scherer, Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics, lectured on “Construction materials and their impact on the environment”. In order to investigate the real-life leaching behaviour of 34 different mineral and organic plasters and renders an 18 month outdoor weathering experiment was described. Additionally laboratory tests were held to determine the leaching of substances from building products.

Dani Lladò, Ferro Performance Pigments Spain, S.L., dedicated his presentation to “Mortar coloration: options for new designs and cool façades”. Examples of using cool pigments with high solar reflectance in different colour spaces were presented to describe the development and improvement of cool façades.

Dr. Roger Zurbriggen, Akzo Nobel Chemicals AG, presented the “Impact resistance of ETICS – the role of the redispersible polymer powder”. As part of the base coat the redispersible polymer powder (RRP) plays an important role within the multi-layer system. Good workability properties during application time are required from new RRPs as an element of high performing base coats.

The last contribution of the morning was held by Dr. Funda Inceoğlu, Kalekim A.Ş, dealing with the “Changes in performance property and microstructure of tile adhesive mortars at different curing conditions”. Investigated were temperature related as well as cellulose ether related properties in terms of fresh mortar and hardened mortar properties.

The series of lectures after the lunch break was opened by Dr. Markus Schmid, Calucem GmbH, with his presentation about the “Influence of the calcium sulfate type on hydration- and volume change behaviour of a new calcium aluminate cement in a ternary self-leveling compound”. The effects of different sulfate types (anhydrite, α-hemihydrate, β-hemihydrate) and amounts as to their impact on shrinkage/expansion properties and on the strength development were investigated.

Dr. Markus Müller, Sika Services AG, discussed the “Challenges in the formulation of drymix mortars using ‘green’ cement types”. As a sustainable alternative to ordinary Portland cement, low-carbon cement blends can be used in drymix mortar formulations although a 1:1 substitution is not possible. New additives are required such as tailored PCE-based superplasticizers and setting and hardening accelerators.

Dr. Jörg Neubauer, Dow Construction Chemicals, subsequently lectured on “Synthesis and characterization of crosslinked cellulose ethers and their use in cement tile adhesives”. Crosslinked cellulose ethers enable lower dosage in cement tile ­adhesive formulations due to very high water retention. In relation to non-crosslinked high viscosity cellulose ether a 15 % reduction is reached without affection the performance.

The last series of lectures began with the presentation “A novel thermal insulation system using hemp insulation boards” by Heiko Stark, DAW SE. He described a thermal insulation system using hemp, focusing on the part of the high-­performance reinforcement mortar with glassfiber-mesh by presenting its properties and benefits.

Afterwards Dr. Stefano Carrà, Mapei S.p.A, presented “A new methodology to test and assess tile adhesives’ heat resistance”. Heat sensitives stones, cut to 5x5 cm, were submitted to the 70 °C test of the EN and ISO norm. Several types of adhesives were tested in this way. Thereby the importance of the polymer content of the formulation to provide an adequate stability to the system could be demonstrated.

The conference was brought to a conclusion by the lecture held by Tamer Tezel, Organic Kimya, entitled “Effects of silane modification on styrene acrylic based constructional polymers”. Investigated were the effects of silane modification with regard to hydrophobicity and water resistance, recovery and adhesion.

After a discussion of the topics, Ferdinand Leopolder and Prof. Dr. Andreas Gerdes wrapped up and summarized idmmc six. He cordially invited the participants to the next International Drymix Mortar Conference, idmmc seven, to be held in Nuremberg in April 2019.

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