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RLA Penaflow Panel Grout: A Technical Overview
RLA Penaflow Panel Grout is a Class A, non-shrink, general-purpose cementitious grout formulated with Portland cement, graded aggregates and additives. Its gaseous expansion in the plastic state ensures shrinkage compensation, preventing settlement and voids. Suitable for 20–150 mm thickness in a single application, it can be dry packed, rammed, trowelled, poured, or pumped, giving contractors flexibility. Australian-made, it provides high compressive and flexural strengths, reliable adhesion, and ease of placement across diverse grouting projects.
Core Features & Specifications
- Shrinkage compensated with gaseous expansion in plastic state.
- Versatile application: dry pack, trowellable, pourable, or pumped.
- Single application thickness range: 20–150 mm.
- Compressive strength >55 MPa at 28 days; flexural strength >9.5 MPa:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
- Bond strength >10 MPa at 28 days (slant shear test, ASTM C882):contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
- Non-metallic: eliminates staining.
- Mix water range: 2.7–4.0 L per 20 kg bag depending on consistency.
- Fresh wet density: ~2250 kg/m³ (dry pack) to ~2190 kg/m³ (flowable):contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
- Yield: ~10.3–11.0 L per 20 kg bag; ~91–97 bags per m³:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
- Shelf life: 9 months (sealed, dry storage).
The Penaflow Panel Grout Advantage
- High-performance general grout: consistent, shrinkage-free filling.
- Easy placement: adaptable to hand placement, pouring, or pumping.
- Durable, high strength performance: exceeds 55 MPa at 28 days.
- Complies with Australian standards (AS 1012, AS 2073) for strength testing:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
Frequently Asked Questions
What applications is Penaflow Panel Grout suitable for?
It is designed for precast panels, anchor bolts, core holes, blockwork core filling, base infills, cavities, and underpinning:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
What is the mixing water requirement?
Per 20 kg bag: • Dry pack: 2.7–2.9 L • Trowellable: 3.0–3.4 L • Flowable: 3.6–4.0 L:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
What compressive strength does it achieve?
>20 MPa (1 day), >40 MPa (7 days), >55 MPa (28 days):contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
How should substrates be prepared?
Clean and sound substrates, free of contaminants. Pre-soak for 4 hours before grouting, remove all free water, and ensure formwork is leakproof:contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
Applications & Benefits
| Application / Use Case | Key Benefit | Primary Trades |
|---|---|---|
| Precast panel base grouting | Reliable non-shrink fill, void-free support up to 150 mm | Precast Installers, Builders |
| Anchor bolts & core holes | Strong adhesion, shrinkage-compensated, easy placement | Builders, Engineers |
| Blockwork core filling | Pumpable grout for efficient cavity filling | Blocklayers, Concreters |
| Underpinning works | High compressive strength, durable long-term stability | Remedial Contractors, Structural Engineers |
| Cavities, gaps, and base infills | Flexible placement: dry pack, trowellable, or flowable | Builders, Civil Contractors |
Applying RLA Penaflow Panel Grout: Enhanced Protocols & Best Practices
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Substrate & Formwork Preparation
Clean substrate, pre-soak for 4 h, and remove free water. Construct leakproof formwork using foam strips or polyurethane/silicone sealant. Provide vent/bleed holes for confined base plate grouting:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
Pro Tip: Coat formwork with release oil for easier removal. -
Mixing
Add grout powder to pre-measured clean water. Mix mechanically (3–5 min) until homogeneous. Do not mix by hand. • Dry pack: 2.7–2.9 L water • Trowellable: 3.0–3.4 L • Flowable: 3.6–4.0 L:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
Pro Tip: Never add extra water; excess causes segregation and bleeding. -
Placement
Options: • Dry pack: tamp into position with rods. • Gravity flow: pour from one side using header box, maintaining grout head. • Pumping: use positive displacement pump, pumping bottom-up to avoid voids:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
Pro Tip: Do not vibrate grout to aid flow — this risks segregation. -
Curing
Immediately protect exposed grout. Cover with wet hessian, plastic, or curing compounds (e.g., Curecon). Proper curing is critical to achieve designed strength:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
Limitations & Safety
Product Limitations
- Application temperature: 10–30 °C only:contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
- Do not add additional water beyond specified ranges.
- Never apply grout onto dry porous substrate without presoaking.
- Unrestrained areas must be minimised to avoid cracking.
- Low temps delay setting; high temps accelerate set and can cause cracking/delamination.
Safety & Handling Requirements
- Wear gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing; avoid skin & eye contact.
- Do not breathe dust; wear suitable respiratory protection.
- Use only in well-ventilated areas; avoid eating, drinking, smoking during use.
- First Aid: • Skin: wash with soap & water. • Eyes: rinse cautiously with water, remove contacts, seek medical attention if irritation persists. • Inhalation: move to fresh air, rest, seek medical advice if unwell. • Ingestion: do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth and contact doctor or Poisons Centre (AU 131126, NZ 0800 764 766):contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
RLA Penaflow Panel Grout Application Guide
Precast Panels & Base Infills
Surface Preparation
Surfaces must be clean, sound, and free of dust, oil, grease, curing compounds, or contaminants. Mechanically clean if necessary. Pre-soak with water for ≥4 hours before grouting and remove free water immediately prior to placement:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Primer Requirements
Primer not required
Ensure surfaces are in a saturated-surface-dry (SSD) condition. No puddles of water should remain.
Anchor Bolts & Core Holes
Preparation
Holes must be clean and free of water. Pre-soak surrounding substrate, then remove excess moisture. Place grout from one side to avoid entrapped air:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Primer Requirements
Primer not required
Blockwork & Underpinning
Preparation
Remove debris and contaminants. Saturate porous blockwork or soil-contact areas before placing grout. Maintain formwork watertight for underpinning:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
Primer Requirements
Primer not required
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