P A R C H E M C O N S T R U C T I O N S U P P L I E S
Concrete quality & durability
P: 1800 801 108 www.parchem.com.au
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PARCHEM extruded f ibre concrete spacers
Concrete quality and durability are increasingly important due
to the greater expectations of asset owners. The use of poor
quality, low durability spacers can seriously compromise asset
life. With nearly 50 years experience of manufacturing spacers
in our factories located in Europe and Internationally, Frank
manufactures extruded fibre concrete spacers to exacting
standards, using rigorously controlled mixes. This delivers
consistent durability and strength, which is independently tested
and certified.
All standard and Premium grade spacers comply with the
requirements of the new Eurocodes, relevant DIN, BS and
International spacer standards and the European Concrete
Societies Network “Best Practice Guide 3 for spacers. Premium grades can be adapted to specialist applications.
* Both grades are adapted for this application.
Quality you can trust: FRANK-manufactured spacers
Recommended profiles
Application Standard Premium
Structural elements with normal durability yes yes
Structural elements with higher durability no yes
Resistance to high level of sulphate no yes
Acid resistance (down to pH = 2) no yes
Approved for use with potable water yes* yes*
Resistance to fire yes yes
White cement or colour mixtures no yes
Specific customer requirements no yes
Block spacers AO type multi covered spacers offer the flexibility and choice of cover on site. AK types are single cover spacers for use on side forms with quick and easy installation.
Type AKA single cover spacer with two steel clips, ensuring no steel within the cover zone.
Used for supporting vertical reinforcement and due to the shape, has minimal surface
impact.
Type AO MulticoverSingle and multi covered arched based spacer for reduced contact area on vertical surfaces. Available with and without wire.
Bar spacersAll bar spacers are supplied in standard lengths of 330 mm**. The bar spacers are non-tipping and can be laid rapidly and efficiently. Due to their special profiles, FRANK bar spacers provide maximum contact area between the spacer and concrete for bonding.
Type FAHD (triangular)Application stability - Always provide the same concrete cover in any position.
Type FAHSBRail bars to support medium to heavy reinforcement. Reduced surface impact.
Type FAHKBBanana bars to support light to medium reinforcement. Minimal surface impact.
** Recommended max. length 330 mm, according to ‘Best Practice Guide 3’, but can also be supplied in 1.0 m lengths upon request.
Parchem Construction Supplies is proud to be partnering with Max Frank as
National Distributor of both standard and premium concrete fibre spacers in
Australia.
Technologies for the construct ion industry 3
PARCHEM extruded f ibre concrete spacers
We can manufacture spacers with a variety
of cover sizes and with many different
profiles. These can be individually produced
to meet your requirements. FRANK spacers
are designed to maximise the bond with the
concrete and where required, minimise the
surface impact.
Individually designed profiles to meet your requirements
Specification clause
All single and bar spacers shall be produced
in an ISO 9001:2000 approved factory from
extruded fibre reinforced concrete.
Spacer properties shall comply with the
product performance requirements of EN206
and the performance properties of the project
concrete.
The type of single or bar spacer to
be used is detailed on the drawings.
(Note: CAD drawings for all spacers are
available on request.)
High compressive strength and resistance to tipping
Fire resistant
Good dimensional tolerances and resistance to deformation
Excellent bond to concrete with no hairline cracks
Excellent physical and chemical resistance
Low permeability
Material quality Standard Premium
Concrete cover mm 15 - 100* 20 - 100*
Load-bearing capacity KN > 3 > 3
Performance Class Heavy Heavy
Compressive strength MPa 50 and above 60 and above
Permitted tolerances mm ±1 ** ±1 **
Water absorption after 30 min % < 3 < 2
Exposure Class EN 206-1 BS8500/EN206 AS/NZ3600
up to
up to up to
X0, XC3, XD2, XS2,
XF2, XA2 DC2 A, B1
X0, XC4, XD3, XS3,
XF4, XA DC4 A, B, C, U
Fire resistance classification EN 13501-1:2002
A1 - not flammable A1 - not flammable
I.S.A.T. (after 10 minutes) ml/m2/min < 0.5 < 0.25
Chloride diffusion m2/sec x 10-12 < 5.0 < 1.0
Contact adhesion MPa 0.4 0.4
* Other cover depths available upon request** Above 75mm cover tolerance ±2mm
The ability to choose the durability properties of
your spacers, as well
as the optimum profile ensures the ideal
solution for every project.
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PARCHEM Zemdra in ® CPF l ine rs
“What is vital is to strive to achieve the best in cover concrete: “best”
means excellent compaction without trapped air bubbles or bleed
water; it also means not allowing escaping water locally to increase
water-cement ratio, the prevention of leakage of neat cement paste,
and the avoidance of pocket marks and surface blemishes in general.
Achieving all this requires a concentrated effort during placing
and compaction as well as good quality formwork without blobs of
form-release oil on its surface. In this respect, controlled
permeability formwork seems to be beneficial, not
only because it gives a better finish but also because it leads to less
patching, which may be vulnerable to external attack.”
Professor Adam Neville [2006]
Using impermeable faced formwork coated in
release agent causes:
� Trapped air and water in the surface zone
� Softening and contamination of the surface zone
� No early age curing
This results in surfaces with:
� Blowholes and other blemishes
� Increased w/c ratio and reduced cement contents leading to reduced
durability
� Release agent contamination
The problem:
Oiled impermeable faced formwork
The solution:
Zemdrain® CPF liners
“In this respect, controlled permeability formwork seems to be beneficial...”
Using Zemdrain® CPF liners:
� Removes excess air and water from the surface zone
� Avoids the need for the use of a release agent
� Aids early age curing
This results in surfaces with:
� Virtually no blowholes or blemishes
� Decreased w/c ratio and increased cement contents leading to
improved durability
� No surface contamination
Oiled impermeable formwork
Design w/c
higher w/c without Zemdrain®
oiled formwork
Zemdrain® CPF Liner
Design w/cZemdrain®
lower w/c with Zemdrain®
Technologies for the construct ion industry 5
PARCHEM Zemdra in ® CPF l ine rs
� minimisation of blowholes (vertical & inclined surfaces)
� minimisation of biological growth as surfaces are
uncontaminated by release agent residues
� better cured due to early age curing
� improved durability with enhanced resistance to
carbonation, chloride ingress and abrasion
� Reduced w/c ratio
� Increased freeze/thaw resistance
� Proven economic benefits and cost savings over the whole service life.
The use of Zemdrain® considerably increases the potential service life of all
bridge, marine and water retaining
structures. The benefits of replacing impermeable formwork coated in
release agents with Zemdrain® are significant.
The benefits of Zemdrain®
to concrete surfaces:
Specification Clause:
� A Type III Controlled Permeability Formwork Liner (as defined
by CIRIA C511) shall be used to form the surface finish of all
designated concrete surfaces, Zemdrain® MD or equal
approved.
� The approved CPF liner shall have independently certified
supporting test data to confirm the following minimum
improvements to the outer 20 mm of the concrete.
- cement content of 75 kg/m3 greater than the
� control.
� - a minimum improvement of 50 % for surface tensile
strength, ISAT, carbonation and chloride ingress. Liners
without independent verification shall not be approved.
� The CPF liner shall be installed and used in accordance with
the manufacturer‘s recommendations. Release agent use is
not permitted.
� Type III, CPF liners can be reused, subject to inspection
between pours. Before approval for liner reuse is given,
evidence that durability benefits are maintained with reuse
must be submitted.
without Zemdrain® with Zemdrain®
This photograph was taken in a wastewater treatment plant after 10 years service. The superior performance of the Zemdrain® cast surface is obvious.
Zemdrain® lined steel formwork used to cast precast units for a sea wall.
Flat, concave, convex and circular formwork can be lined with Zemdrain®.
Parchem Construction Supplies is proud to be the exclusive distributor of Zemdrain in Australia and New Zealand.
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PARCHEM Notes
Technologies for the construct ion industry 7
If you require further information on any of the products in our range please contact us on:
Sales: 1800 801 108
Alternatively, up to date technical information is available on our website at:
www.parchem.com.au
PARCHEM Contact Us
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Customer Service 1800 801 108National Head Office: 7 Lucca Road, Wyong NSW 2259 02 4350 5000
The range of products will vary by location so please contact your nearest store for the range of products in stock.
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P: 1800 801 108 www.parchem.com.au
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