Acti-Gel® Purified Magnesium Aluminosilicate
Acti-Gel® 208 Product
Acti-Gel® 208 Purified Magnesium Aluminosilicate is a high performance thixotropic rheology modifier and anti-settling agent used in a wide variety of water-based industrial applications – regardless of pH and salt concentrations!
Acti-Gel 208 product provides superior particle suspension while stabilizing mix designs, all at a very low dose. Used in a wide variety of applications, the product uses an electro-mechanical process to suspend, distribute, and support all dry materials in water-based mixtures to achieve optimal performance. Acti-Gel 208 additive is non-hygroscopic, temperature stable (unaffected by freeze/thaw), and pH tolerant (pH = 2-13).
Another unique feature of Acti-Gel 208 additive is its extreme resistant to grinding and particle size reduction. Its performance in high energy environments is unequalled to any other mineral or non-mineral product. It works in the most difficult, high shear, high energy environments such as long-distance mineral slurry pipelines.
Concrete
Acti-Gel® 208 high-performance additive will enhance most concrete applications. With the ability to eliminate segregation and reduce bleeding, it provides a pumpable, flowable, yet stable concrete product. From Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) to Concrete Paving, Acti-Gel 208 additive stabilizes the mix and improves workability which easily benefits many cementitious project. More Information
Increase Manufactured Sand Usage
Increase Manufactured Sand Usage
Acti-Gel® 208 additive revolutionizes concrete to help concrete producers realize material cost savings on every cubic yard. This robust additive enables the concrete producer to increase the use of manufactured sand up to 100%, thereby replacing the higher cost and scarcer supply of natural sands.
The product maintains the quality and workability of the concrete while saving money on every batch. It works well with most additives.
Potential benefits of Acti-Gel 208 additive use with manufactured sand in concrete include:
- Consistent air content
- Improved compaction
- Increased density
- Enhanced finishability, workability, and pumpability
- Increase the quality of the mix
- Designed to save $/yd3 on every batch
More Information
Concrete Block
Concrete Block
Acti-Gel® 208 admixture is designed to stabilize dry cast mixtures, improve paste quality, and provide efficient cement hydration. Acti-Gel 208 additive enables a reduction in cement content by up to 15%.
-
- Designed not to impact cycle times
- Similar swipe and durability
- Achieve Strengths
- Designed not to impact cure time
- Stays durable during transport
- Works with colors and most cement types
More Information
Pumpable Cementitious Mixtures
Pumpable Cementitious Mixtures
Acti-Gel® 208 admixture works in many applications as a pump aid by creating a lower-viscosity lining in the pipe/hose wall to lubricate the mass being pumped. The product thereby increases the pumpability of the mixture while also eliminating segregation of the paste from the water or the paste from the sand.
Common pumpable cementitious mixtures:
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- Grouts
- Lightweight Concrete
- SCC
- High-Strength Concrete
- Flow Fill
More Information
Shotcrete and Gunite
Shotcrete and Gunite
Acti-Gel® 208 additive promotes a cohesive concrete that stabilizes nearly the instant energy is removed from the system. This natural phenomenon is perfect for shotcrete and gunite where high lifts, thick walls, and one-pass overhead applications are desired.
More Information
Pool Plaster
Pool Plaster
Acti-Plex® Pool Plaster Additive is used to increase the lifetime of pool plaster and allow for easy plaster repairs. Acti-Plex particles have a unique lattice architecture which reduces settling and sagging, yet allows flow without retarding or accelerating cure. The product provides good handling with no tears, air bubbles or shrinkage, while it increases strength, improves workability and clings well to vertical surfaces. Acti-Plex multi-functional admixture is meeting the needs of pool plasters. It makes the plastering job easier and provides a better finished plaster.
More Information
- Increase Manufactured Sand Usage
- Concrete Block
- Pumpable Cementitious Mixtures
- Shotcrete and Gunite
- Pool Plaster
Increase Manufactured Sand Usage
Acti-Gel® 208 additive revolutionizes concrete to help concrete producers realize material cost savings on every cubic yard. This robust additive enables the concrete producer to increase the use of manufactured sand up to 100%, thereby replacing the higher cost and scarcer supply of natural sands.
The product maintains the quality and workability of the concrete while saving money on every batch. It works well with most additives.
Potential benefits of Acti-Gel 208 additive use with manufactured sand in concrete include:
- Consistent air content
- Improved compaction
- Increased density
- Enhanced finishability, workability, and pumpability
- Increase the quality of the mix
- Designed to save $/yd3 on every batch
Concrete Block
Acti-Gel® 208 admixture is designed to stabilize dry cast mixtures, improve paste quality, and provide efficient cement hydration. Acti-Gel 208 additive enables a reduction in cement content by up to 15%.
-
- Designed not to impact cycle times
- Similar swipe and durability
- Achieve Strengths
- Designed not to impact cure time
- Stays durable during transport
- Works with colors and most cement types
Pumpable Cementitious Mixtures
Acti-Gel® 208 admixture works in many applications as a pump aid by creating a lower-viscosity lining in the pipe/hose wall to lubricate the mass being pumped. The product thereby increases the pumpability of the mixture while also eliminating segregation of the paste from the water or the paste from the sand.
Common pumpable cementitious mixtures:
-
- Grouts
- Lightweight Concrete
- SCC
- High-Strength Concrete
- Flow Fill
Shotcrete and Gunite
Acti-Gel® 208 additive promotes a cohesive concrete that stabilizes nearly the instant energy is removed from the system. This natural phenomenon is perfect for shotcrete and gunite where high lifts, thick walls, and one-pass overhead applications are desired.
More Information
Pool Plaster
Acti-Plex® Pool Plaster Additive is used to increase the lifetime of pool plaster and allow for easy plaster repairs. Acti-Plex particles have a unique lattice architecture which reduces settling and sagging, yet allows flow without retarding or accelerating cure. The product provides good handling with no tears, air bubbles or shrinkage, while it increases strength, improves workability and clings well to vertical surfaces. Acti-Plex multi-functional admixture is meeting the needs of pool plasters. It makes the plastering job easier and provides a better finished plaster.
More Information
Mining
Acti-Gel® 208 additive can provide superior particle suspension, stabilize mixtures, and dramatically improve the workability, flowability, pumpability and performance of high solids formulas. Uses in Mining include Slurry Pipelines, Tailings, Backfill, Mine Seals and Shotcrete applications. Acti-Gel 208 additive helps build the carrier fluid preventing coarse particles from riding on the bottom of the pipe. The product enables increased flow rates and lower pressure loss and is not affected by attrition, abrasion, high shear, grinding, pH or salt concentration. Acti-Gel 208 additive works best in water and brine-based systems where particulate solids are present. More Information
Hydraulic Mine Backfill
Hydraulic Mine Backfill
Acti-Gel® 208 additive is a thixotropic material that is engineered to suspend particles, reduce segregation, and dramatically stabilize mine backfill. During mixing or emplacement flow can be greatly enhanced due to its shear-thinning behavior. This allows solids to be increased significantly and binder levels to be reduced. The admixture continues to suspend particles under flow, which prevents segregation, reduces abrasion and eliminates blocking.
More Information
Mine Seals
Mine Seals
Acti-Gel® 208 product is a thixotropic material designed to suspend particles, reduce segregation, and dramatically stabilize concretes. During mixing or emplacement flow can be greatly enhanced due to its shear-thinning behavior. On removal of shear, the rate of thixotropic rebuilding of the lattice structure is exceptionally fast, which provides superior cohesion and reduced rebound, rapid development of green strength and shape stability, and reduction in hydrostatic pressure.
When used in an optimized mix design, Acti-Gel 208 additive has been shown to increase green strength, decrease rapid chloride permeability, and reduce efflorescence – all with outstanding stability and compaction.
Acti-Gel® 208 product complies with ASTM C 494, Type S.
Acti-Gel® 208 product complies with AS 1478-2000 Type SN.
More Information
High Performance Shotcrete
High Performance Shotcrete
Acti-Gel® 208 additive promotes a cohesive concrete that stabilizes nearly the instant energy is removed from the pumping system. The Acti-Gel 208 performance benefits are perfect for high performance shotcrete where high lifts, thick walls, and one-pass overhead applications are desired.
Shotcrete formulations treated with Acti-Gel 208 additive have been found to decrease rebound and improve air quality while spraying. Formulations utilizing the additive can reduce/eliminate silica fume, and reduce nozzle accelerators by up to 50% while increasing quality, workability, and the ability to reach 100% application thickness in one pass.
More Information
Tailings
Tailings
Acti-Gel® 208 admixture is a thixotropic material designed to suspend particles, reduce segregation, and dramatically stabilize high solids slurries. During mixing and transport flow can be greatly enhanced due to the Acti-Gel 208 property of shear-thinning behavior. After the tailings are deposited in the tailings dam, Acti-Gel 208 product can prevent segregation which enables better particle packing, denser beds, and improved water recovery.
More Information
- Hydraulic Mine Backfill
- Mine Seals
- High Performance Shotcrete
- Tailings
Hydraulic Mine Backfill
Acti-Gel® 208 additive is a thixotropic material that is engineered to suspend particles, reduce segregation, and dramatically stabilize mine backfill. During mixing or emplacement flow can be greatly enhanced due to its shear-thinning behavior. This allows solids to be increased significantly and binder levels to be reduced. The admixture continues to suspend particles under flow, which prevents segregation, reduces abrasion and eliminates blocking.
More Information
Mine Seals
Acti-Gel® 208 product is a thixotropic material designed to suspend particles, reduce segregation, and dramatically stabilize concretes. During mixing or emplacement flow can be greatly enhanced due to its shear-thinning behavior. On removal of shear, the rate of thixotropic rebuilding of the lattice structure is exceptionally fast, which provides superior cohesion and reduced rebound, rapid development of green strength and shape stability, and reduction in hydrostatic pressure.
When used in an optimized mix design, Acti-Gel 208 additive has been shown to increase green strength, decrease rapid chloride permeability, and reduce efflorescence – all with outstanding stability and compaction.
Acti-Gel® 208 product complies with ASTM C 494, Type S.
Acti-Gel® 208 product complies with AS 1478-2000 Type SN.
More Information
High Performance Shotcrete
Acti-Gel® 208 additive promotes a cohesive concrete that stabilizes nearly the instant energy is removed from the pumping system. The Acti-Gel 208 performance benefits are perfect for high performance shotcrete where high lifts, thick walls, and one-pass overhead applications are desired.
Shotcrete formulations treated with Acti-Gel 208 additive have been found to decrease rebound and improve air quality while spraying. Formulations utilizing the additive can reduce/eliminate silica fume, and reduce nozzle accelerators by up to 50% while increasing quality, workability, and the ability to reach 100% application thickness in one pass.
More Information
Tailings
Acti-Gel® 208 admixture is a thixotropic material designed to suspend particles, reduce segregation, and dramatically stabilize high solids slurries. During mixing and transport flow can be greatly enhanced due to the Acti-Gel 208 property of shear-thinning behavior. After the tailings are deposited in the tailings dam, Acti-Gel 208 product can prevent segregation which enables better particle packing, denser beds, and improved water recovery.
More Information
Industrial
Acti-Gel® 208 mineral additive can benefit a wide range of high-solids liquid applications by providing excellent suspension and rheological properties. Potential cost reductions and property improvements can be gained by raising solid contents to 50-80%, depending on the application, yet maintaining flow, spray-ability, pump-ability, workability, troweling and other rheological characteristics.
Agriculture
Agriculture
Sprayable and pumpable liquid mixtures offer many efficiency advantages to the farmer and rancher in applying treatments to their crops and herds. The economics and efficiencies of these liquids depend on achieving a stable suspension of high-solids.
Acti-Gel® 208 additive can suspend a higher solids content with little to no increase in viscosity and yet provide a more easily sprayable and pumpable end-product, as demonstrated in the attached video. Let us show you how to reduce the water content of your products – increasing caloric concentration – and thereby potentially reduce transportation and handling costs.
More Information
Ceramic Glazes
Ceramic Glazes
In many different types of glazes Acti-Gel® 208 additive has demonstrated improvements in processing, raw material reduction and, most importantly, the finished quality of the glazed piece. Acti-Gel® 208 additive offers greater formulating latitude to replace other ingredients that are known to create certain quality problems, like pinholes. Some examples are:
Frit Tile Glaze – Allows an up to 50% reduction in kaolin and complete removal of Bentone EW & sodium hexametaphosphate.
Rotary Disc Tile Glaze – Can eliminate the use of Bentonite and STPP and reduce kaolin and CMC by up to half. Grinding times are lower as well due to less kaolin in the formula.
Let us show you how Acti-Gel 208 additive can improve your production with these benefits in glazes:
- Reduce dry times by up to 75%
- Smoother, glossier surface finish
- Reduce blistering or “pop-off’s” and pinholes.
- Higher glaze-body adhesion
- Better spray properties
- Reduce or eliminate CMC, HMS, bentonite, and kaolin while achieving the same density and viscosity.
- Excellent anti-settling, with reduced segregation and no hard packing
- Reduce glaze dripping and sagging and eliminate glaze runoff
- Potential for lower costs
More Information
Paints & Coatings
Paints & Coatings
Acti-Gel® 208 rheology modifier and suspension agent is a unique formulary tool. It is a highly purified magnesium aluminosilicate that suspends and homogeneously disperses other particles in liquid systems creating a very stable mixture, yet enables higher loadings of solids without increasing viscosity.
Acti-Gel 208 additive is a simple fix for syneresis, pigment float & flooding and sedimentation problems in a wide range of water-based coatings. Its low dosage, and extremely low residue make a pre-dispersed Acti-Gel 208 a quick “post-add” solution for stability problems in existing coating formulas without changing its rheology, paint formula or packaging label.
Acti-Gel 208 imparts thixotropic properties that enhance pumping, spraying, and flow and leveling. Its extremely fast rate of viscosity recovery reduces misting and over-spray. It also increases adhesion and cohesion which improves vertical hold and sag reduction. Thicker layers can be applied more quickly and easily if desired. Acti-Gel 208 additive can help create a more homogeneous thin film which can reduce the application cost of chemical and catalyst coatings.
The product is available as a dry powder (spray-dried bead) and as Liquid Acti-Gel® 208 predispersed grade making it easy to add anywhere in the production process.
More Information
Color Concentrates
Color Concentrates
Acti-Gel® 208 rheology modifier and suspension agent is a unique formulary tool. It is a highly purified magnesium aluminosilicate that suspends and homogeneously disperses other particles in liquid systems creating a very stable mixture, yet enables higher loadings of solids without increasing viscosity.
Acti-Gel 208 specialty mineral product outperforms attapulgite products as a suspension agent for pigments in color concentrates. Acti-Gel 208 has a lower residue than the leading attapulgite grades and requires a lower dosage level in color concentrates. It disperses easier and the low dosage level makes it easy to use and eliminates any changes in the formula or labelling.
Acti-Gel® 208 specialty additive is used in both consumer and factory products providing the following benefits:
- Improves flowability providing excellent droplet formation critical for adding small doses to tint paint
- Long term stability
- Little to no negative impact on color
- Use 25-30% of typical attapulgite dosage or about 0.3-0.5% Act-Gel 208
- Increase pigment loading by 5-10%
The product is available as a dry powder (spray-dried bead) and as Liquid Acti-Gel® 208 predispersed grade making it easy to add anywhere in the production process.
Request a Sample
Drilling Cement
Drilling Cement
Acti-Gel® 208 additive is well proven in a myriad of cement-based applications for improving pumpability and workability while increasing density, chloride impermeability and strength of the cured cement composite. In drilling cement, these improvements are likewise valuable where pumping long distances without segregation and a stronger, more resistant barrier in the bore hole is needed.
Request a Sample
- Agriculture
- Ceramic Glazes
- Paints & Coatings
- Color Concentrates
- Drilling Cement
Agriculture
Sprayable and pumpable liquid mixtures offer many efficiency advantages to the farmer and rancher in applying treatments to their crops and herds. The economics and efficiencies of these liquids depend on achieving a stable suspension of high-solids.
Acti-Gel® 208 additive can suspend a higher solids content with little to no increase in viscosity and yet provide a more easily sprayable and pumpable end-product, as demonstrated in the attached video. Let us show you how to reduce the water content of your products – increasing caloric concentration – and thereby potentially reduce transportation and handling costs.
More Information
Ceramic Glazes
In many different types of glazes Acti-Gel® 208 additive has demonstrated improvements in processing, raw material reduction and, most importantly, the finished quality of the glazed piece. Acti-Gel® 208 additive offers greater formulating latitude to replace other ingredients that are known to create certain quality problems, like pinholes. Some examples are:
Frit Tile Glaze – Allows an up to 50% reduction in kaolin and complete removal of Bentone EW & sodium hexametaphosphate.
Rotary Disc Tile Glaze – Can eliminate the use of Bentonite and STPP and reduce kaolin and CMC by up to half. Grinding times are lower as well due to less kaolin in the formula.
Let us show you how Acti-Gel 208 additive can improve your production with these benefits in glazes:
- Reduce dry times by up to 75%
- Smoother, glossier surface finish
- Reduce blistering or “pop-off’s” and pinholes.
- Higher glaze-body adhesion
- Better spray properties
- Reduce or eliminate CMC, HMS, bentonite, and kaolin while achieving the same density and viscosity.
- Excellent anti-settling, with reduced segregation and no hard packing
- Reduce glaze dripping and sagging and eliminate glaze runoff
- Potential for lower costs
Paints & Coatings
Acti-Gel® 208 rheology modifier and suspension agent is a unique formulary tool. It is a highly purified magnesium aluminosilicate that suspends and homogeneously disperses other particles in liquid systems creating a very stable mixture, yet enables higher loadings of solids without increasing viscosity.
Acti-Gel 208 additive is a simple fix for syneresis, pigment float & flooding and sedimentation problems in a wide range of water-based coatings. Its low dosage, and extremely low residue make a pre-dispersed Acti-Gel 208 a quick “post-add” solution for stability problems in existing coating formulas without changing its rheology, paint formula or packaging label.
Acti-Gel 208 imparts thixotropic properties that enhance pumping, spraying, and flow and leveling. Its extremely fast rate of viscosity recovery reduces misting and over-spray. It also increases adhesion and cohesion which improves vertical hold and sag reduction. Thicker layers can be applied more quickly and easily if desired. Acti-Gel 208 additive can help create a more homogeneous thin film which can reduce the application cost of chemical and catalyst coatings.
The product is available as a dry powder (spray-dried bead) and as Liquid Acti-Gel® 208 predispersed grade making it easy to add anywhere in the production process.
More Information
Color Concentrates
Acti-Gel® 208 rheology modifier and suspension agent is a unique formulary tool. It is a highly purified magnesium aluminosilicate that suspends and homogeneously disperses other particles in liquid systems creating a very stable mixture, yet enables higher loadings of solids without increasing viscosity.
Acti-Gel 208 specialty mineral product outperforms attapulgite products as a suspension agent for pigments in color concentrates. Acti-Gel 208 has a lower residue than the leading attapulgite grades and requires a lower dosage level in color concentrates. It disperses easier and the low dosage level makes it easy to use and eliminates any changes in the formula or labelling.
Acti-Gel® 208 specialty additive is used in both consumer and factory products providing the following benefits:
- Improves flowability providing excellent droplet formation critical for adding small doses to tint paint
- Long term stability
- Little to no negative impact on color
- Use 25-30% of typical attapulgite dosage or about 0.3-0.5% Act-Gel 208
- Increase pigment loading by 5-10%
The product is available as a dry powder (spray-dried bead) and as Liquid Acti-Gel® 208 predispersed grade making it easy to add anywhere in the production process.
Request a Sample
Drilling Cement
Acti-Gel® 208 additive is well proven in a myriad of cement-based applications for improving pumpability and workability while increasing density, chloride impermeability and strength of the cured cement composite. In drilling cement, these improvements are likewise valuable where pumping long distances without segregation and a stronger, more resistant barrier in the bore hole is needed.
Request a Sample
Acti-Gel® 208 highly purified magnesium aluminosilicate is made in a wet process without grinding. Most of the natural grit and gangue minerals are removed and the mineral’s rod-shaped particles (“bristles”) are chemically exfoliated. Pure, uniformly sized and shaped particles remain. The “bristles” are positively charged on the ends and negatively charged along the axis. An electro-mechanical interaction creates a lattice structure where Acti-Gel 208 particles are engineered to keep other particles and liquids in a mixture dispersed and suspended. Acti-Gel 208 product has an average particle length of 1.5 to 2 µm and an average Φ = 30 nm.
How It Works
- At rest, electrically charged particles form a 3-dimensional lattice structure that separates and suspends other particles by creating a “carrier fluid”.
- The carrier fluid prevents segregation enabling a homogeneous mixture.
- In motion, the Acti-Gel 208 lattice structure quickly disperses and goes in the direction of the flow. This results in lower viscosity and markedly improved flowability and pumpability.
- The rate of ‘thixotropic recovery’ is extremely fast. The Acti-Gel 208 lattice structure returns to a stable homogeneous suspension immediately after shear is stopped.
- This can be repeated indefinitely without loss of performance.
- Non-hygroscopic
- Temperature Stable (unaffected by freeze/thaw)
- pH tolerant (pH = 2-13)
- Shelf Life = 2 years minimum
- Can freeze, and usable when thawed
- pH tolerant (pH = 2-13)
- Shelf Life = 6 months from date of shipment
HOW TO USE IT
- It is typically added last in mixing sequence.
- Typical dosage (dry basis) is 0.01% to 0.20% (based on total dry weight of material).
- It must be mixed with sufficient high shear to “intermingle” the particles.
- Designed to easily disperse in commercial scale processes.
- Please contact your local representative for recommendations on specific applications.
AWARDS & AFFILIATES
Testimonials
“We have been very pleased with how Acti-Gel® 208 performs. There is no discernible texture or swipe changes to our [blocks], and most importantly, no slowdown in cycle times.”
– Matt Blair VP of Blair Block
“Not having to deal with plugged pumps, upset contractors, and irritated workers has been a blessing.”
– Rod Leber Laboratory Manager at Reimers Kaufman Ready Mix
“Multicrete strongly feels that Acti-Gel® is an effective [shotcrete] additive that continues to provide cost effective benefits.”
– Adam O’Ray Quality Control Manager at Multicrete Systems
“The reduction of rebound saved the contractor in material costs while the increased efficiency provided by Acti-Gel® 208 allowed the shotcrete crew to save time and money.”
– Oscar Orduno President of Oscar Orduno Shotcrete Contractors
“Thomas Concrete decided that careful material selection, well-proportioned concrete mixture, and Acti-Gel® 208 was the winning combination for success.”
– Justin Lazenby Quality Manager at Thomas Concrete
“Active Minerals have provided a solution to our industry that’s been well overdue, Acti-Gel has innovated piling concrete performance by improving the workability and stability of concrete supplied to our D-Walls and bored piers – but also for CFA piles where plunging of reinforcement cages to great depths is not possible. Their customer support is excellent and their advice on mix design improvements and general support has been well received over the years.”
– Martin Larisch Phd – Geotechnical Engineering Manager