South Africa’s infrastructure network faces the same problem as that of several other countries – a harsh sulphate and chloride-rich environment, as well as aging structures which are being over-used whilst servicing a rapidly growing population. Mapei South Africa manufactures a rapid-setting, thixotropic and fibre-reinforced cementitious mortar called Planitop Smooth & Repair R4 ZA which can be applied by trowel in a single layer from 3mm to 40mm thickness for structural repairs on internal and external, horizontal and vertical concrete surfaces. Planitop Smooth & Repair R4 ZA can therefore be used to prolong and sustain the lifecycle of structures within South Africa.

Mapei’s Planitop Smooth & Repair R4 ZA has been highly successful in protecting against carbonation and chloride attack, delaying the time of initial corrosion and suppressing corrosion propagation. The product is a one-component thixotropic mortar containing polyacrylonitrile fibres, synthetic polymers and special admixtures. The result is an exceptional R4-class mortar that offers a solution for convenient high-performance structural repairs.

Some typical applications would be rapid repair work on deteriorated concrete beams and pillars, cornices and edges of balconies, as well as repairs to structural elements that require a mortar with high mechanical performance properties.

“Planitop Smooth & Repair R4 ZA is an all-encompassing repair and smoothing mortar. The success of the product in the market has enabled Mapei South Africa to produce it at our Roodekop production facilities,” says Shane Coll, Building Product Manager at Mapei. “The product is unique in that our specialist R&D team have been able to develop a product with fine aggregates to give a smooth finish, but also a product which gives impressive compressive strengths,” he added.

Mapei’s renowned research and development has formulated an all-round solution to the requirements of an ideal repair mortar, providing:

• good impermeability to water and salt solutions;
• good impermeability to carbon dioxide;
• good crack bridging;
• good adhesion to substrate;
• good ageing resistance.

“Planitop Smooth & Repair R4 ZA really does tick all the boxes,” says Shane. “I am confident that it will become a standard stock item for anyone involved in concrete repairs, whether in the precast concrete industry, general construction work or even DIY homeowners.”