40lb, Forton VF-774 polymer

• Forton VF-774 is an all acrylic thermoplastic co-polymer emulsion.
• It is water-based, non-hazardous material with a polymer solids content of 51%.
• Complies with PCI plant certification program specification Appendix L.

This question is asked by new, and old, GFRC producers when presented with adding the Forton VF-774 copolymer to their batch.  The two primary and very extensively tested and documented reasons to use the VF-774 in the batch are:

• The elimination of the 7-day wet cure required to achieve the maximum strengths of the GFRC matrix at 28 days.
• To significantly improve the long-term physical properties of the GFRC composite, especially the aged flexural strain to failure.

• UV stability of the Forton polymer so that architectural finishes maintain their “as produced” colors.
• Improved workability of the mix at low water/cement ratios, which further enhances the strength of the cured concrete.
• Easy spraying of vertical surfaces without having the face mix sag.
• Complete dispersion of iron oxide pigments for batch-to-batch color consistency of face mixes
• Hard cured face mixes for better sand blasting uniformity.
• Tighter, denser cured product, which reduces absolute moisture absorption and vapor permeability while at the same time significantly reducing the rate of absorption as a function of time.
• Elimination of crazing and spider cracking in the face mix due to the soft polymer particles in between the cement particle and the sand grain.

 When evaluating polymers for GFRC, you should know the following details of the product:

• Polymer chemistry: not all white, milky liquids are equal in performance. Many are not UV stabile, nor are they alkali stabile in the high pH cement matrix. Some will re-emulsify after curing if they get wet.
• Particle size: this controls the effect of pigmentation and color uniformity batch to batch. If this varies, the same amount of pigment will show a different color in the panel.
• Molecular weight: influences the durability of the polymer in the matrix.
• Polymer solids: you are paying for the amount of polymer solids in the liquid. The higher the polymer solids the better value for your dollar.
• Defoamer: contrary to normal precast, you do not want additional air entrained in the GFRC composite.
• VF-774 contains additional defoamer to maintain a high quality slurry through the rigors of high shear mixing and spraying.

When to use Forton VF-774

• The addition of Forton VF-774 to GFRC of any normal cement/sand ratio insures the maximum 28 day matrix strengths, which in turn makes a high quality GFRC composite.
• Forton VF-774 is used to eliminate the 7-day wet curing program required of GFRC to obtain the highest matrix strengths. These strengths are factored into the design equations for the finished product.
• The use of Forton VF-774 will reduce color variation in panels.
• It will virtually eliminate drying shrinkage cracks in face mixes.
• It improves the thermal cycling properties of the GFRC panels in situ by reducing the amount of moisture penetration.
• Using Forton VF-774 will improve the spraying of vertical surfaces and the pumping of GFRC pre-mix.
• There is a plastifying effect when using Forton VF-774 that is synergistic with the use of super plasticizers, giving good workability at low W/C ratios.

Mix Design