SW Water stop strips is a hydrophilic swelling bentonite waterstop. The based material is bentonite clay with polymer rubber. The product swells when contact with water create more than 300% expansion. The release benonite fill void between the two portion of concrete joint. A bentonite waterstop strip is a type of waterproofing material that is designed to prevent water from penetrating through joints and seams in concrete structures. It is typically made from a combination of bentonite clay and synthetic materials, which create a highly expandable and flexible material that can fill gaps and cracks in concrete. When exposed to water, the bentonite clay in the strip expands and creates a barrier, effectively stopping water from passing through the joint or seam. This makes bentonite waterstop strips an effective and reliable solution for preventing water intrusion in a wide range of applications, including building foundations, tunnels, dams, and retaining walls.

Disadvantages:

1.Limited flexibility: While bentonite waterstop strips are flexible enough to fit into joints and seams, they may not be suitable for certain types of joints with high movement or expansion.
2. Installation challenges: Proper installation of bentonite waterstop strips is critical to their effectiveness, and improper installation can lead to leaks and water intrusion.
3. Temperature sensitivity: Bentonite waterstop strips may become brittle and lose their waterproofing effectiveness at extreme temperatures, so they may not be suitable for use in very hot or cold environments.
4. Not suitable for all applications: While bentonite waterstop strips are effective for many waterproofing applications, they may not be suitable for all types of joints or construction materials. It is important to consult with a professional waterproofing contractor to determine if they are the best option for your specific project.

What is the Storage & shelf life of bentonite wterstop strip?

SW bentonite waterstop strip has a shelf life of 12 months when stored off the ground in a cool and dry environment, away from sunlight.

Healthy & safety:
SW bentonite waterstop strip does not contain any hazardous materials. For general safety, use protective gloves and goggles when handling the product.

Skin contamination: wash with plenty soap and water.

Eye contact: Irrigate with plenty of water and seek medical advice if irritation persist.

What are the factors affecting the quality of bentonite waterstop strip?

Several factors can affect the quality of bentonite waterstop strips, including:

1. Bentonite clay quality: The quality and consistency of the bentonite clay used in the strips can significantly impact their performance. High-quality bentonite clay should have a consistent particle size distribution and a high swelling capacity.
2. Manufacturing process: The manufacturing process of the strips can also impact their quality. The strips should be made using precise machinery and techniques to ensure that they have a uniform thickness and density.
3. Packaging: Proper packaging is important to ensure that the strips are protected from moisture and other environmental factors that can affect their quality. The packaging should be durable and designed to prevent any damage during transport and storage.
4. Installation: The quality of the installation process is critical to the effectiveness of the waterstop strips. Proper surface preparation, placement, and sealing are all important factors to consider during installation.
5. Environmental factors: The performance of the waterstop strips can also be affected by environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and exposure to chemicals. It is important to choose waterstop strips that are specifically designed to withstand the environmental conditions of the intended application.

Overall, it is important to choose high-quality bentonite waterstop strips from a reputable supplier and to ensure that they are installed properly and protected from environmental factors to ensure their effectiveness.

How to test the volumn of expansion of water stop strip?

The volume expansion of bentonite waterstop strips can be tested using a simple procedure called the swell index test. The procedure involves the following steps:

1. Cut a sample of the waterstop strip to the desired size and shape.
2. Weigh the dry sample and record its weight as “W1.”
3. Immerse the sample in distilled water for a specific amount of time, typically 24 hours, to allow it to fully hydrate and swell.
4. Remove the sample from the water and allow it to drain for a few minutes to remove any excess water.
5. Weigh the fully hydrated sample and record its weight as “W2.”
6. Calculate the swell index using the following formula: Swell Index = (W2 – W1) / W1 x 100%

The swell index indicates the percentage increase in volume of the waterstop strip when it is fully hydrated. This information can be used to evaluate the performance of the waterstop strip and ensure that it meets the required standards for volume expansion.

However, we should test it according to our national standard of GB/T 18173.3-2002 to test all the data related to the quality test:

Volume expansion rate:
Bentonite expansion waterstops are further divided into Type A (expansion type) and Type C (slow expansion type).

1. Cut three sizes to 30mm × 10mm × 10mm sample. Each sample weighs approximately 4g. Place a bridge bracket on the balance pan for testing.
   2.First, weigh the mass M1 of the sample in air and the mass m1 of the sample immersed in water (before immersion).
2. Then immerse the sample in water. The sample mass M2 in air and the sample mass m2 immersed in water are weighed every 2 hours.
   4.Weigh the mass M2 of the sample in air and the mass m2 of the sample immersed in water every 12 hours.
   5.Continue measuring until the volumetric expansion rate is basically fixed. Type A products should be measured for 24 hours, and Type C products should be measured for 240 hours.

Take the average value of three samples as the volume expansion rate, and calculate as follows:
△V=×100%
Notes：
△ V represents the volume expansion rate, in%;
M1 represents the mass of the sample in the air before immersion, in grams;
M2 represents the mass of the sample in distilled water before immersion, in grams;
m1 represents the mass of the sample in the air after immersion, in grams;
m2 represents the mass of the sample in distilled water after immersion, in grams;

Calculate the volume expansion rate according to the above formula. Compliance with the results of the following technical data sheets is considered acceptable.

Heat resistance
Prepare three samples with a length of 100 mm. These samples were connected in series with metal wires and heated in an oven at 80 ℃for 2 hours. Observe whether the heated sample has flow traces. If three samples have no flow traces, it indicates that they are qualified.

Low temperature resistance
Prepare three samples with a length of 150 mm. Place these samples flat and place a 20 mm diameter metal rod in a refrigerator at – 20℃ for 2 hours. Take out the metal rod, place the sample on the surface of the metal rod within 3 seconds, wrap the metal rod around, and remove the sample. Observe these samples with a 5x magnifying glass. If there are no cracks on the surface of the three samples, it indicates that they are qualified.

Please check the data result below: