Water-Swelling Tape

DryFiX Water Swellable Waterstop Band: Thermoplastic-Based Advanced Technology Joint Insulation

DryFiX Water Swellable Waterstop Band is a new generation, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) based smart insulation band, specially formulated to provide definitive and permanent waterproofing in connection points, structural joints, and cold joints of reinforced concrete structures in damp and wet environments.

Unlike traditional waterstop bands, it acts as an active protection shield. Upon contact with water, its hydrophilic (water-loving) chemical structure is activated, and it expands (swells) to many times its original volume to fill all capillary voids, cracks, and segregation defects in the concrete at a millimetric level. This volumetric change and the resulting expansion pressure make it physically impossible for water to leak or advance into the structure, creating an impenetrable water barrier.

Superior Advantages of the System

• Ultra-High and Reversible Expansion Capacity: It has a swelling capacity of over 800% upon contact with water. Thanks to its "reversible expansion" capability—one of its most critical features—it perfectly adapts to wet and dry cycles. It returns to its normal dimensions when water recedes and flawlessly performs the exact same sealing action repeatedly when water returns.
• Easy Application in Challenging Details: Thanks to its flexible polymer structure and optimized cross-sectional dimensions, it easily adapts to surface roughness, cavities, and narrow, heavily reinforced areas where traditional PVC bands cannot be applied. It saves significant labor and time by eliminating the need for a primer.
• Extensive Chemical and Thermal Resistance: It is fully suitable for continuous contact with groundwater, mains water, saltwater, purified water, and alkaline cementitious water. It maintains its dimensional stability against UV rays, environmental chemicals, and high temperatures for many years.
• Guaranteed Sealing Performance: It actively tracks potential shrinkage cracks within the reinforced concrete structure and expands to plug these voids.

Main Application Areas

The high expansion pressure and durability of the system make it indispensable in the most critical engineering structures:

• Vertical and horizontal cold joints, and junctions of old (cured) and new (fresh) concrete.
• Foundation and retaining walls, underground structures, and basement walls.
• Water tanks, drinking water cisterns, swimming pools, and treatment plants.
• Heavy infrastructure constructions such as tunnels, subway stations, dams, and highway viaduct piers.
• Sewage systems, manholes, and infrastructure connection points.
• Around underground pipe/cable penetration sleeves and at the junction details of precast concrete elements.

Comprehensive Application Instructions and Surface Preparation

Surface Preparation and Substrate Conditions

The foundation of a successful application lies in proper surface preparation. The substrate concrete must absolutely be clean, load-bearing, and dust-free. Construction residues, oil, rust, and weak laitance layers on the surface must be removed. Highly uneven, rough, and segregated surfaces must be leveled with suitable structural repair mortars prior to application to ensure full contact of the band. While a slightly damp surface during application can aid adhesion, there must absolutely be no standing water or puddles on the ground.

Application Steps

1. Secure Positioning (Concrete Cover Rule): The waterstop band generates high pressure (approx. 1.06 N/mm²) when it expands. To prevent this pressure from spalling the concrete, the band must be positioned exactly in the middle, leaving at least 8 cm of concrete cover from the outer surface (or reinforcement) exposed to water.
2. Surface Fixing: The band must be secured using a suitable polyurethane/epoxy mounting adhesive or mechanical nailing method so that it does not slip during installation or shift during fresh concrete pouring. If the nailing method is preferred, concrete nails should be driven at a maximum spacing of 15 cm to ensure the band sits flush against the surface.
3. Joining Overlaps: At the joints where one roll ends and a new one begins, the bands must never be joined end-to-end or overlapped. For flawless sealing and uniform expansion, the ends of the two bands must be placed side-by-side for at least 50 mm (5 cm), ensuring they touch each other.

Critical Warnings and Limitations

• Movement Joints: This product is not suitable for use in expansion (dilatation) joints, which are the movement points of buildings. It should only be used in cold joints and structurally fixed connections.
• Premature Swelling Risk: Bands that have been exposed to rain, moisture, or puddles on the site and have swollen, lost their original shape, or deformed before the concrete pour must never be used and should be replaced with new ones.

Packaging and Storage Conditions

Technical Specifications and Performance Values