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How do air-entraining agents help concrete resist freeze-thaw damage?
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Cement
The cement-making process, from crushing and grinding of raw materials, through roasting of the ground and mixed ingredients, to final cooling and storing of the finished product.
Air-entraining agents are substances, such as specific organic compounds, that are incorporated into concrete to create a system of microscopic air bubbles throughout the material.1
These minute bubbles provide essential space within the concrete matrix to accommodate the expansion of water as it freezes. By providing this internal relief, the bubbles prevent the buildup of internal pressure that would otherwise cause the concrete to crack or deteriorate during freeze-thaw cycles in cold climates. This process significantly increases the durability and weather resistance of the finished structure.21