Impact of the mixer and time of mixing on the properties of industrialized mortar

Abstract Industrialized rendering mortars usually employ additives in their formulations, most commonly air-entraining agents. In order to ensure quality and production scale, they are prepared in manufacturing units with precise control of the formulation and dosage of raw materials and additives. Despite the control in the production of this material in an industrial environment, variations in the mixing conditions may affect the level of air incorporation. On construction sites, mortars are usually either processed manually or with the use of mixing equipment. This study evaluates the impact of the type of equipment and mixing time on air incorporation in industrialized mortars and the effect on their properties after hardening. The results indicate that the incorporation of air results from the adjustment between the mixing equipment and the mortar formulation. Different sensibilities of mortars to the type of equipment have been identified. That fact indicates that an alternative to reduce variability on the level of air incorporation in building sites depends on the development of formulations with minimal sensibility to the mixing process.