Drill the holes

The first step is to drill the holes. The drill hole diameter to be selected is 25-45 mm (1″ – 1 3/4″). The maximum drill hole spacing is 10 times the drill hole diameter, i.e. 25-45 cm (10″ – 18″). Smaller borehole spacings lead to even better results. The drill holes should be dry and as free of drilling dust as possible.

Prepare the agent

In the second step, add the BETONAMIT® powder to the mixing container and loosen slightly with the agitator. Then add exactly 1.2 liters (40oz) of cold and clean water per 5kg (11lb) of concrete mix and mix intensively with an agitator for 2 minutes until a flowable and homogeneous mixture is obtained. The mixture appears relatively dry at first, but the consistency changes abruptly during the mixing process.

Fill the holes

In the final step, fill the mixture directly from the mixing container into the drill holes. No additional mechanical closure is required. Dilute excess BETONAMIT® mixture with plenty of water for deactivation and dispose of with the remaining construction waste. The total processing time should not exceed 5 minutes.

Now we just have to wait for the gentle blasting. The mixture hardens slowly in the borehole and sets. The expansion pressure then gradually begins to build up. The fracture time depends mainly on the temperature, the borehole diameter and the borehole spacing. Cracking always occurs in the direction of least resistance. A larger drill hole diameter means more force, shorter reaction time and wider crack formation. Smaller distances between the drill holes mean smaller fragments and a shorter reaction time. As a rule, small hairline cracks are already visible in some places after a few hours. These then continue to widen and new cracks appear. Don’t make the mistake of starting to remove the fragments too early. It is best to let the product work for as long as possible, because with every hour it becomes easier to clear away or remove the blasted object. With a little experience, the blast pattern and blasting time can be predicted very accurately and almost all blasting work can be carried out explosion-free.

Tip: BETONAMIT continues to expand over several days. This means that the more time you give the product, the easier it is to remove the fragments. Therefore, be patient and allow BETONAMIT to work for as long as possible to achieve the best result.

Please observe our safety regulations when handling Betonamit.

Positioning the drilling holes

Cracking always occurs in the direction of least resistance. A larger drill hole diameter means more force, shorter reaction time and wider crack formation. Smaller distances between the drill holes mean smaller fragments and a shorter reaction time.

The holes are drilled a short distance apart in a line. Cracking occurs from hole to hole. In this way, objects can be separated or split relatively precisely during blasting work. The drill hole depth should be at least ¾ of the total depth to ensure complete tear-through and prevent lateral break-out. Smaller stones or concrete elements can usually be split with a central drill hole.

Shredding

The holes are usually drilled in staggered rows in order to obtain the smallest possible fragments. The more drill holes, the smaller the fragments. The cracks form in a criss-cross pattern. Here too, larger boreholes generate a significantly higher expansion pressure, which leads to a better blasting result.

Ablation

If there is no free side to displace the material, space must first be created. The target level (Dt) is usually over-drilled by 5-15 cm (2″- 6″) to avoid subsequent caulking work as far as possible. The expansion pressure (F) always develops 90° to the borehole. With angled holes, it is therefore possible to create a free side where the pressure or material can escape, even in unfavorable situations. Ideally, all holes should be drilled first and filled at the same time so that they can work together.

Release

To loosen rock, the holes are drilled in several rows 10-15 cm (2″- 6″) below the required ground level (Dt) and backfilled. This breaks up and loosens the subsoil so that it can then be removed by excavator or, in some cases, by hand. Here too, the swelling explosive works most effectively when the holes are drilled at an angle so that part of the force (F) can act upwards. Several rows of holes can be filled with BETONAMIT® at the same time. Cracks will appear in the front row first. The next row is then pressed in.

Consumption

The consumption per meter of borehole to be filled depends on the borehole diameter. To calculate the required amount of Betonamit, the sum of all boreholes in meters or feet is multiplied by the respective factor.


Examples

You have 10 drill holes (ø 40mm) with a depth of 0.3 meters
Factor for ø 40 mm: 2.2 kg (table)
10 holes x 0.3 m x 2.2 kg = 6.6 kg Betonamit

Technical specification and Reaction time

The following table shows the expected reaction time as a function of temperature. You will also find further helpful information on the application here. As the drill hole diameter has an enormous effect on the expansion force and reaction time, we recommend selecting the largest possible drill bit wherever possible.

Safety Regulation

  1. Wear safety goggles at all times when working with Betonamit.
  2. Only use Betonamit at an object temperature between 5°C and max. 35°C. (40-95°F)
  3. Protect the Betonamit powder from heat before use.
  4. Do not use hot water. (max. 20°C / 68°F)
  5. Observe the correct amount of water: 1.2 liters (40oz) per 5kg/11lb Betonamit / 0.6 liters (20oz) per 2.5kg(5.5lb) Betonamit
  6. Mix by machine (electric agitator) and not by hand. (Poor mixture increases the risk of blow-out)
  7. Only use drill bits with a diameter of 25-45 mm. (1″ – 1 3/4″)
  8. The minimum borehole depth corresponds to 5 times the borehole diameter.
  9. The maximum borehole depth depends on the situation, but is approx. 6 meters. (20ft.)
  10. The drill holes must be as clean and dry as possible.
  11. On hot days, fill the boreholes early in the morning.
  12. Pour the Betonamit into the drill holes immediately after mixing.
  13. Make sure that the expansion force cannot cause any unwanted damage.
  14. Dilute material residues with plenty of water and dispose of them in accordance with local regulations. (building rubble)
  15. Never look directly into the filled drill holes (risk of blow-out)
  16. Cordon off the workplace to prevent unauthorized access. (blow-out or loosening material)
  17. Do not pour the mixture into bottles or other closed containers. (explosive effect)
  18. Please also observe the hazard and safety instructions on the packaging. (GHS)

CAUTION: Failure to comply with the regulations, improper handling or excessively warm conditions may result in a blow-out. A blow-out is the sudden, explosive escape of concrete ammite from the borehole. If you are hit in the face by the material escaping at high pressure, this can lead to injuries and serious eye damage. Therefore, never look directly into the filled drill holes and always wear safety goggles when working with Betonamit. After a first blow-out has occurred, this is repeated about 3-6 times and can also occur in other boreholes. Close the work area to all persons for at least 3 hours.

Betonamite is non-toxic, but contains a large proportion of unslaked lime (calcium oxide).

  • In case of contact with eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove any contact lenses if possible. Continue rinsing.
  • In case of contact with skin: In case of allergic reactions, wash with soap and water and consult a doctor.


Allow BETONAMIT® to take effect for as long as possible, to achieve the best result.


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