German chemical giant BASF has announced it has developed a highly flexible one-component membrane for waterproofing and concrete protection for the European market.

Masterseal 6100 FX is a lightweight, rapid-curing cementitious membrane used for internal and external applications as a waterproof lining for water retaining structures to protect concrete surfaces from carbonation and chloride attacks. “Its composition makes Masterseal 6100 FX the right membrane for areas constantly submerged in water and basements. It protects concrete surfaces from chlorides and carbonisation,” BASF said in a statement.

“Based on its formulation and the use of powdery polymers, a pack of 15 kg of Masterseal 610 FX is substituting a 25 kg pack of comparable two-component products, which do usually also require roundabout 10 liters of liquid polymers. Thus, the need on storage space as well as the amount of waste package material will be reduced (up to 50 per cent), and the costs for transportation will sink,” it added.    

The new product enables less downtime due to its fast hardening.  Because of its concentrated and light formula with higher yield in the same time, the sealant is packed in smaller bags with less weight and helps to reduce stock, transport costs and waste up to 50 per cent. The one-component mixture is not frost sensitive, reduces mixing errors, and offers high performance and easy handling at the same time. Masterseal 6100 FX is a product for selected European markets and is available in white and grey.

The multi-purpose waterproofing membrane enfolds its qualities by only 2 mm of thickness. It withstands up to five bar water pressure and keeps its high elasticity properties even at minus 10 degrees Celsius (14° Fahrenheit) and in immersion.

Masterseal 6100 FX is also able to resist negative pressure – suitable as interior waterproofing for subgrade structures, basements for example. Because of its lightweight formulation, only 1.7 kg of Masterseal 6100 FX is needed per sq m at a 2 mm layer. In addition, the membrane offers up to 50 per cent higher yield than ordinary waterproofing slurries. This makes the new product highly economically efficient, as less material is needed per square meter.

The tolerance of low temperatures prolongs the activities at the site and thus accelerates its completion. Masterseal 6100 FX is highly durable so will not embrittle or shrink and crack due to low temperature – an important improvement with regards to security, quality, and costs, as reworking will become needless.

“In developing Masterseal 6100 FX we coped with the most frequent daily work challenges like low temperatures, moisture, time pressure,” says Holm-Gerd Diedrichs, regional business segment manager of BASF Construction Chemicals. “We could reduce the downtime between layers and provide earlier serviceability. Between two layers, resting time is only two hours. And structures are now in service after only three days.” This pays for the usually time-critical construction plans, as well as the faster application by spray or brush.

“Compared with other waterproofing membranes on a two-layer-base, an applicator could save up to one complete working day,” says Elisabeth Casas, product manager for Masterseal 6100 FX at BASF Construction Chemicals.

Which means for an owner: less downtime at the construction site, the following works can begin sooner, and for the applicator: the next job can be started earlier.

Masterseal 6100 FX is designed and developed in alignment with Leed criteria (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, developed by the US Green Building Council) and contributes to the following Leed credits: up to two points due to use of recycled content, up to two points for the use of regional material and up to one point for low-emitting material. “In addition, Masterseal is free of ammonia odour and can easily be applied in closed environments and during regular working time,” says Casas.