Today there are two main ways of manufacturing paving slabs – vibrocompression and vibrocasting.
The difference between these two manufacturing methods is quite large. The final product differs from each other, both in appearance and strength parameters, product quality.
The vibrocompression method favorably differs in increased strength and is very well suited for a wide range of applications. Such places include: personal territories, park areas, car parking and parking lots and much more. Vibromoulding tiles are mainly used for pedestrian areas, parks, all kinds of garden paths. Where low mechanical stress is required.
You can take a closer look at these manufacturing methods and their main differences.
Vibrocompression is a method for the production of paving slabs, which consists in laying the prepared concrete mixture into a mold, which is placed on a press for pressing. The mixture is moistened, but it is in a semi-dry state. This machine has a vibrating surface (bed), it constantly vibrates. In the process of pressing, the punch presses on the matrix and compaction occurs, the mixture is compressed and the result is a finished product, paving slabs. After that, the manufactured products are troubleshooted, the products are dried and packaged, followed by storage in a warehouse until the products are sold or sent to the construction site. Such a method can be highly automated and technological.
Components for the preparation of a mixture for pressing:
- Screening of granular slag
- Sand
- Screening of granite
- Cement
- plasticizers
- Dyes
- Water
The composition of the mixture and fillers may vary, each manufacturer has its own recipe and secrets for the production of tiles. The dimensions and shapes of the produced tiles are determined by the matrix, which is installed on the press. This is the limiting factor for the production of various shapes and sizes of paving slabs.
Vibrocasting is a production method in which the mixture is placed in plastic or rubber molds in a liquid state. That is, in fact, liquid concrete is poured into molds. After that, the molds are placed on a vibrating table, which vibrates continuously. Thus, the mixture is compacted. Then the molds undergo a drying process from 12 to 24 hours. Then there is a process that, in the jargon of manufacturers, is called knocking out the product, that is, the product is removed from the mold. Troubleshooting of products takes place, followed by drying, packaging and shipment to the construction site.
To fully understand the difference between these methods, a thorough comparison of the methods must be made.
Main characteristics for vibrocompression method:
- The concrete mixture used in production has a low water-cement ratio, which leads to a decrease in cement consumption, but provides high product strength (from M250 to M500), high frost resistance (150-300 cycles).
- The exact geometric shape of the products. This is ensured by the accuracy of the form (matrix).
- The rough surface of the tile shows itself remarkably well in winter, rainy weather with an anti-slip effect.
- High durability and the possibility of re-laying, repair, restoration, that is, the maintainability of the surface laid out from such tiles.
- Simplicity and speed of laying and working with the material.
- Possibility of laying surfaces with different spacings, color combinations and many possibilities for designers.
Main characteristics for the vibrocasting method:
- Attractive appearance and mostly soft smooth surface.
- A wide range of products, a variety of shapes, colors.
- Not high cost of products.
- Strict and precise geometric shapes of tiles.
- Not a high water-cement ratio leads to a drop in frost resistance and leads to an increase in the share of cement in production.
Thus, by comparison, it can be concluded that each production method has its positive and negative sides. Based on such comparisons, the buyer can decide on the choice of the necessary material for arranging his territory.
It should be noted that the use of plasticizers in the manufacture of modern paving slabs is an integral part and significantly increases its technical parameters.
We are happy to help you in choosing the material for arranging your local area, cottages, private houses. The necessary materials for construction can be purchased from us.