While achieving a compressive strength of up to 25MPa, Aquacrete Wet-Repel’s water absorption is very similar to that of concrete, achieving an absorption rate of less than 18%.

As with other Aquacrete shotblast products, Wet-Repel bonds well to hard rock and coal and can be applied in a single application to any desired thickness, the company said.

It is not necessary to apply a thin spray-on liner prior to or after shotblasting and the product sets rapidly, achieving specified compressive strength in as little as 24 hours.

“The introduction of Aquacrete Wet-Repel reinforces our commitment to providing products that are designed to increase productivity and enhance underground safety,” Aquacrete managing director John Whitfield said.

“The ease of application and the high early strength achieved by our shotblast products have resulted in Aquacrete being widely specified in underground mines throughout Australia.”

Aside from the water-resistant properties, Aquacrete says Wet-Repel provides a gas and air barrier, has a high capacity to resist fire and has excellent anti-static properties, further adding to the product’s ability to enhance mine safety.

“Our technical services team has subjected our products to stringent product testing protocols over the years. In addition to live blast testing, our products have undergone tests to determine product strength, over-pressure ratings, fire resistance, diffusivity properties and water permeability ratings. They have exceeded the required standards in all tests and are widely specified by underground coal and metalliferous mines throughout Australia,” Whitfield said.

Aquacrete is now concluding further studies into non-destructive testing protocols for installed ventilation control devices.