HydroBloc Inject 583 – the better solution for reinjectable injection hoses
Reinjectable injection hoses provide a high level of reliability – provided that reinjection works dependably. The fundamental requirement is that the hose can be thoroughly flushed and completely emptied after the first injection. HydroBloc® Inject 583 was developed precisely for this demanding task.
Why injection hoses should be reinjectable
Injection hoses are used for the planned waterproofing of construction joints in concrete structures. After the concrete has been placed, a suitable injection material can be introduced directly into the joint through the hose. It fills voids, defects and water paths, reliably sealing the construction joint.
However, structures do not remain completely rigid. Temperature changes, shrinkage, settlement or other movements can subsequently alter the joint cross-section. If the hose is flushed clear after the first injection, it can be used again when required – without additional drilling or extensive intervention in the structure.
Reinjectability is therefore more than an additional technical feature. It provides a safety reserve throughout the entire service life of the structure.
The challenge lies in the injection material
To allow an injection hose to be reinjected, the uncured material must be completely removed from the hose channel immediately after injection. The injection channel and discharge openings must remain clear.
Acrylate gels are frequently used for this purpose. Their low viscosity and water-based formulation allow the hose to be cleaned effectively. The decisive disadvantage, however, may only become apparent later: conventional gels contain a high proportion of bound water. During prolonged dry periods, they may lose water and decrease in volume. The resulting voids can become new water paths.
Selecting a material solely on the basis of whether it can be flushed from the hose therefore does not go far enough. It must also deliver lasting performance after curing.
HydroBloc Inject 583 is not a gel
HydroBloc® Inject 583 is a low-viscosity, hydrophilic acrylic hybrid injection resin. Before reaction, its two components are fully miscible with water. Fresh material residues can therefore be removed from equipment and the injection hose using water.
After reaction, however, it does not form a conventional water-rich gel, but an elastic, tough resin body. This remains in the joint as a dimensionally stable seal. Its basic structure does not depend on retaining large quantities of water in order to preserve its original volume.
When exposed to water again, the cured material also has a swelling capacity of approximately 70%. This enables it to compensate for changes in cracks and joints and actively support the sealing effect – even long after the original injection.
Consistently low viscosity until the end of the reaction
A particular advantage of acrylic-based injection resins lies in their reaction profile. PU and epoxy resins progressively increase in viscosity during the reaction. As a result, their flow and penetration characteristics already begin to deteriorate during the working time.
HydroBloc® Inject 583 behaves differently: its viscosity remains low until shortly before the end of the reaction. From the beginning of the injection until the end of the available reaction time, the resin can therefore continue to penetrate fine cracks, capillaries and branched voids effectively. Almost the entire set reaction time is thus available as effective penetration time.
| Requirement | Conventional acrylate gel | HydroBloc® Inject 583 |
|---|---|---|
| Hose can be flushed clear | Yes | Yes; the fresh resin is fully miscible with water |
| Behaviour during dry periods | May lose volume through water loss | Dimensionally stable resin body; no gel-type drying shrinkage |
| Behaviour upon contact with water | Water absorption depends on the gel system | Controlled swelling; approximately 70% increase in volume |
| Properties after reaction | Soft gel structure | Elastic, tough acrylic hybrid resin body |
Inject, flush and reuse
After injection, HydroBloc® Inject 583 is extracted from the hose channel within its working time using a vacuum process. At the same time, water is drawn through the hose until the discharged rinsing water runs clear. The vacuum is crucial: it prevents rinsing water from being forced under pressure into the joint, where it could dilute or displace the injected resin.
The resin remains where it is needed – inside the construction joint. The hose channel remains clear and can be reinjected following subsequent joint movement or renewed leakage.
Tested reliability with variable joint widths
The system was tested using a repeatedly injected injection hose installed in a concrete test specimen with an adjustable joint gap. Following the first injection, the hose was flushed clear. Once the resin had cured, the joint width was altered and the hose was injected a second time. The two injection stages were coloured differently to distinguish them visually.
This provided a practical demonstration of the decisive principle: a previously injected construction joint can be resealed through the same hose after a change in the joint cross-section. According to the technical data sheet, watertightness against a water column of up to 30 metres was documented.
Technical advantages at a glance
- Low viscosity: 85–100 mPa·s for excellent penetration
- Simple application: two components mixed 1:1 by volume
- Water-miscible: fresh material and equipment can be cleaned with water
- No foam: no unwanted side reaction upon contact with water
- Consistently low viscosity: excellent flow and penetration until shortly before the end of the reaction
- Elastic and dimensionally stable: no gel-type drying shrinkage within the structure
- Swellable: approximately 70% increase in volume during water immersion
- Adjustable reaction: approximately 50–60 minutes as standard at 20°C; can be accelerated when required
- Low temperatures: can also be applied below the 8°C threshold that is critical for many PU resins; with suitable activation, application is possible down to −10°C according to the product documentation
Not only for injection hoses
HydroBloc® Inject 583 was not developed solely for reinjectable injection hoses. Its low viscosity and excellent flow characteristics make it a versatile injection resin for wet, damp and dry structural components. It is suitable for sealing cracks, construction joints, gravel pockets and other water-bearing voids.
Because it is an acrylic-based injection resin, contact with water causes no unwanted side reactions and no foaming. Instead of forming a porous foam structure, Inject 583 produces a homogeneous, elastic resin body after reaction. This is a decisive advantage, particularly in wet cracks and water-bearing defects.
Cleaning on site is also straightforward: machines, pumps, hoses and tools are cleaned with water after application. No solvents are required. This simplifies site procedures and reduces the need to handle solvent-based cleaners.
Another advantage becomes apparent at low substrate temperatures. HydroBloc® Inject 583 can also be used below 8°C. As temperatures fall, PU and epoxy resins initially react more slowly; if their respective minimum application temperature is not maintained, the chemical reaction may come to a complete standstill. By contrast, Inject 583 can be adapted to low temperatures using suitable activation and, according to the product documentation, can be applied at temperatures as low as −10°C.
Contact with reinforcing steel offers an additional advantage. In an investigation conducted by MFPA Leipzig, fully bonded resin caused no steel corrosion with property-reducing effects during the four-week test period. This finding is particularly relevant because injection material in cracks and joints may come into direct contact with exposed reinforcement.
Conclusion: reinjectability without compromising durability
A reinjectable injection hose can only be as reliable as the injection material used. A gel that is easy to flush may solve the question of reusability, but it can lose volume during prolonged dry periods.
HydroBloc® Inject 583 goes a decisive step further: the fresh resin is water-miscible and can be removed from the hose using a vacuum process. Within the structure, however, it forms an elastic, dimensionally stable and swellable resin body. This preserves both the option of future reinjection and the long-term sealing performance.
One solution for many demanding injection applications
HydroBloc® Inject 583 – injectable like a gel, durable like an injection resin.
Are you planning a waterproofing project using reinjectable injection hoses, or do you need assistance selecting the appropriate injection material? ARCAN can support you with technical design and application.
Application must be carried out in accordance with the current technical data sheet, application instructions and safety data sheet. Flushing must be performed immediately after injection and within the material’s working time.