Questions and Answers

Adhering to the correct amount of water is very important when using BETONAMIT^® to ensure that the expansive mortar generates maximum pressure, whether for concrete demolition, rock breaking, or other applications. The optimal mixing ratio is 1.0 liter of water to 5 kg of BETONAMIT^®. The water content can be increased to up to 1.2 liters per 5 kg to achieve better flowability, especially in very deep boreholes, or to facilitate the mixing process.

Heat accelerates the reaction of the expansive mortar. Therefore, it is very important not to use warm water, especially in hot temperatures. To give the expansive mortar sufficient time to set before expanding, never use water above 20°C. If the pressure in the borehole builds up too quickly, it can lead to a blowout (a volcanic-like ejection of material).

Demolitions with BETONAMIT^® do not require permits. There are also no special prerequisites, such as blasting licenses or notifications, as required for explosive demolition. BETONAMIT^® is a very safe product; however, safety regulations for demolition using expansive agents must be strictly followed. Therefore, it is important that you read and fully understand the instructions and safety regulations before starting the demolition.

BETONAMIT^® is non-toxic and not classified as hazardous material. However, like concrete, it has a very high pH level and reacts strongly with moisture. For this reason, the expansive mortar should never come into contact with the eyes. If it does, rinse the eyes immediately for several minutes with plenty of water and clean them thoroughly. We strongly recommend consulting an eye doctor for a check-up after such an incident.

The effective force of expansive mortar increases with the borehole diameter. We often receive inquiries about whether blasting with a diameter of 25 mm would also work. Our product is optimized for the demolition of concrete and rock with borehole diameters between 30 mm and 40 mm. However, we do have a buffer zone on both sides, meaning that the expansive mortar still functions well with larger and smaller borehole diameters. Using smaller diameters may result in concrete demolition, rock breaking, or especially the demolition of reinforced concrete taking a few hours longer. For larger projects, such as rock excavation, borehole diameters of around 45 mm are often used with drilling rigs. While the product has been tested for use up to a diameter of 50 mm, we kindly ask that you contact us in advance for such applications.

Every demolition technique certainly has its merits. Often, the most effective solution lies in a combination of methods (e.g., jackhammer + expansive mortar). There are very hard granites where using a jackhammer alone means struggling for every inch, and the chisels can wear out quickly. However, when the rock or rocky substrate is already broken, cracked, and loosened with BETONAMIT^®, further work with the jackhammer is significantly accelerated and made easier.

When conducting demolition work during the colder seasons, the following should be noted: BETONAMIT^® works effectively, although the blasting may be somewhat delayed, down to around 0°C. However, if temperatures fall below freezing, the blasting process is significantly slowed down. This does not mean that the blast holes have been filled in vain or that the project has failed. The expansive mortar will continue the blasting process once temperatures rise again. Thus, the blasting will still occur, albeit with some delay.

Caution is advised, as heat accelerates the reaction and blasting process. For blasts around 35°C, we recommend using cooler water to slightly slow down the reaction and pressure buildup. If you are unsure, it is important to follow safety regulations and never look directly into the boreholes filled with expansive mortar. This precaution helps prevent any material from getting into your eyes in the very rare event of a blowout. These dangers can easily be avoided by scheduling the filling of boreholes for early in the morning.

The number of necessary holes varies depending on the object to be demolished and, most importantly, the desired degree of fragmentation. The cracks always form in the direction of least resistance. Since the boreholes are the weak points, the cracks will thus spread back and forth from hole to hole. Therefore, you can determine the size of the fragments after the blast by arranging the boreholes accordingly.

BETONAMIT^® is most effective for the demolition of unreinforced concrete and rock breaking. After the blast, the fragments can usually be removed with very little effort, and follow-up work with a rotary hammer or pneumatic hammer is rarely necessary. Whenever noise, dust, and vibrations are a concern, or if larger demolition machines cannot be used for any reason, the use of BETONAMIT^® should be considered. We also enjoy developing new, project-specific solutions and application techniques.

BETONAMIT^® can be ordered at any time through our online shop. We deliver extensively throughout Europe, with additional countries available upon request. Due to our central distribution warehouse in Germany, we are able to deliver quickly and flexibly within the EU. Since our headquarters and production are located in Liechtenstein, both Switzerland and Liechtenstein are well-covered logistically. Through our numerous sales points in the construction trade, building materials trade, and other partners, BETONAMIT^® is readily available in many locations. We are continually working to optimize our distribution. Whether you are a large corporation or a private customer, you can always reach out to us directly with your questions.

BETONAMIT^® can be ordered at any time through our online shop. We deliver extensively throughout Europe, with additional countries available upon request. Due to our central distribution warehouse in Germany, we are able to deliver quickly and flexibly within the EU. Since our headquarters and production are located in Liechtenstein, both Switzerland and Liechtenstein are well-covered logistically. Through our numerous sales points in the construction trade, building materials trade, and other partners, BETONAMIT^® is readily available in many locations. We are continually working to optimize our distribution. Whether you are a large corporation or a private customer, you can always reach out to us directly with your questions.

The borehole depth for screed demolition work is naturally different from that for rock, stone, and concrete. Since the thickness of the screed usually measures up to 8 cm, the standard formula for borehole depth cannot be applied here. You should first determine and measure the screed thickness with a test bore. Drill the holes at the same level as the screed. Use a cut-off saw to make a groove around the edges, close to the walls. Ideally, position the boreholes at a 40° angle, allowing BETONAMIT^® to push the screed upward.

The easiest way to calculate the consumption for a planned blasting operation is to determine the number of holes based on the desired degree of fragmentation, then take the approximate average of the required borehole depth and multiply it by the corresponding factor of the borehole diameter used.

Material consumption = Sum of all depths of the required boreholes multiplied by the factor of the borehole diameter used.

Yes, a preliminary blast of reinforced concrete makes perfect sense. Demolishing reinforced concrete with a chisel hammer is extremely challenging. When a reinforced concrete slab or reinforced concrete in general is filled with BETONAMIT^®, cracks form across the entire structure, similar to unreinforced concrete, and it is only held together by the reinforcing bars. Subsequent chipping work with a pneumatic hammer or rotary hammer is then very straightforward and quick to complete.

BETONAMIT^® was developed in the 1970s by KUBATEC in Liechtenstein and was the first product of its kind on the European market. The expansive properties of quicklime were utilized by the Egyptians thousands of years ago for splitting rocks and targeted demolition. Over the past decades, we have built up significant expertise in optimizing and controlling this chemical process for safe blasting.

In simple terms, calcium oxide (quicklime) reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide, resulting in a significant increase in volume. This nearly unstoppable transformation with volume expansion is utilized for safe concrete and rock demolition. The following additional terms are commonly associated with BETONAMIT^®: expansive agent, expansive blasting agent, expansive mortar, expansive explosive, expansive cement, cold blasting agent, and cold blasting material.

If you want to remove a concrete foundation that is surrounded by walls on all sides, you need to create an open space as close to the walls as possible to allow BETONAMIT^® to expand during the process. Cut out a strip approximately 5 cm wide from the foundation all around, or drill a series of holes (on each side, just before the walls) spaced about 5 cm apart between the boreholes. However, do NOT fill these hole series with BETONAMIT^®; leave them empty. This allows BETONAMIT^® to expand into these empty hole series or the 5 cm wide removed strips. This is very important, as otherwise, there will be NO crack formation.