DESCRIPTION: SYSTEM-K™ is a microfiber reinforced, high-performance shrinkage-compensating concrete design that incorporates 1/4" microsynthetic K-Fiber™ and Komponent® that are combined with local ASTM C150 portland cement, ASTM C595 portland limestone or other blended cements to produce shrinkage-compensating concrete. SYSTEM-K offers a cost effective alternative to traditionally reinforced slabs by significantly reducing reinforcement. Use only perimeter steel and re-entrant corner reinforcement in conjunction with SYSTEM-K to create an economical, high-performance shrinkage-compensating concrete slab. SYSTEM-K is engineered to prevent negative volume change and drying shrinkage cracking by creating controlled expansion during placement and cure. The designed expansion overcomes the inherent shrinkage of portland and blended cement concretes. Additionally, it reduces permeability, improves sulfate resistance, provides up to 60% increased abrasion resistance, prevents slab curling, corner breaks and dominant joints, and helps maintain dimensional stability and long-term floor flatness and floor levelness.

USES: SYSTEM-K™ Microfiber Reinforced Shrinkage-Compensating Concrete is an ideal solution for non-structural slabs-on-grade, topping slabs, and composite deck designs. It is used in commercial and industrial facilities like warehouses and distribution centers, manufacturing and processing facilities, architectural and polished concrete designs, and many other applications where durability, dimensional stability, minimal or no joints, and elimination of shrinkage cracking, slab curling and dominant joints is desirable. SYSTEM-K offers a high value, low cost solution when compared with traditional designs without sacrificing high-performance requirements.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANTAGES: Use SYSTEM-K Microfiber Reinforced Shrinkage-Compensating Concrete to reduce your carbon footprint and lower your environmental impact. Production of Komponent used in SYSTEM-K emits far less CO2 than portland cement. Contact your CTS representative for EPD, LEED values and other sustainability information.

APPLICATION: In a SYSTEM-K design, KOMPONENT replaces approximately 5–17% of total cementitious content in the mix design and is used in conjunction with 2.2 lb per cubic yard of K-Fiber. Mix designs vary depending on application and other mix design constituents. All mix designs must be qualified per ASTM C878 or C806 and verified by trial batching by the producer. Shrinkage-compensated materials made with SYSTEM-K are produced at the batch plant by conventional production equipment and installation practices. Protect freshly placed concrete from premature drying and excessive cold or hot temperatures. Use standard industry best practices for hot and cold weather concreting. Protect concrete from freezing temperatures for 7 days after placement. Review the KOMPONENT Shrinkage-Compensating Concrete Technical Manual for design and installation considerations. Contact your CTS Komponent representative for project support

BATCHING & MIXING: SYSTEM-K is blended at the batch plant using industry standard bulk cement batching and mixing equipment and incorporation methods. Ensure thorough mixing and dispersion. When using bagged units for smaller projects, alternate portable concrete batching solutions are available. Contact CTS Komponent Representative for more information. Approved mix designs use a lab qualified dosage of Komponent to replace an equivalent weight of total cementitious content per cubic yard. K-Fibers are added at a rate of one (1) pre-packaged 2.2 lb (1 kg) unit per cubic yard. They disperse easily and will not produce “hairy” concrete. For mix design guidelines and batching and mixing instructions, refer to the Shrinkage-Compensating Concrete Technical Manual for details.

WATER/CEMENT RATIO: Water/cement ratios between 0.40 and 0.55 are recommended. For lower water/cement ratio designs, contact your CTS Komponent Representative for project support.

CURING: For general applications, wet curing is required. Refer to the Komponent Shrinkage-Compensating Concrete Technical Manual and current ACI 223 Guidelines for additional information.

COLD WEATHER: Environmental and material temperatures below 70°F (21°C), relative humidity, wind speed and solar radiation may affect setting time and the rate of strength gain. Lower temperatures will have a more pronounced effect. Thinner sections will be more significantly affected. To compensate for cold temperatures, keep material warm, use heated mix water and follow ACI 306 Procedures for Cold Weather Concreting. When average high and low temperature is expected to fall below 40°F (4°C) for three successive days, maintain delivered concrete mixture temperature within the temperature range required by ACI 301. Do not use frozen materials or materials containing ice or snow. Do not place concrete on frozen subgrade or on subgrade containing frozen materials.

WARM WEATHER: Environmental and material temperatures above 70°F (21°C), relative humidity, wind speed and solar radiation may affect setting time and the rate of strength gain. Higher temperatures will have a more pronounced effect. To compensate for warm temperatures, keep material cool, use chilled mix water and follow ACI 305 Procedures for Hot Weather Concreting.

PACKAGING & AVAILABILITY: Komponent used in SYSTEM-K Microfiber Reinforced Shrinkage-Compensating Concrete is available in bulk delivered by rail or tanker, 50 lb (22.7 kg) polyethylene-lined bags and 2000 lb (907 kg) bulk bags. K-Fibers are provided separately in pre-packaged, 2.2 lb (1 kg) dissolvable bags.

SHELF LIFE: Komponent bagged units have a shelf life of 12 months from date of purchase when stored properly in a dry location, protected from moisture, out of direct sunlight, and in an undamaged package. Sealed bulk storage containers extend the shelf life of Komponent up to 2 years when stored properly and protected from adverse environmental conditions.

K-Fibers have a shelf life of 3 years from the date of manufacture when stored properly, in a dry location, protected from moisture, out of direct sunlight, unopened and in an undamaged package.

USER RESPONSIBILITY: Before using CTS products, read current technical data sheets, bulletins, product labels and safety data sheets at www.CTScement.com/Komponent. It is the user’s responsibility to review instructions and warnings for any CTS products prior to use.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT: CTS Cement provides contractors, engineers, and project owners with in-house and field technical services on any SYSTEM-K application. For detailed information on use and applications of shrinkage-compensating cement technology, refer to the Komponent Shrinkage-Compensating Concrete Technical Manual and contact your CTS Komponent Engineering representative for project support at 1-800-929-3030.

WARNING: DO NOT BREATHE DUST. AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN AND EYES. Use material in well-ventilated areas only. Exposure to cement dust may irritate eyes, nose, throat, and the upper respiratory system/lungs. Silica exposure by inhalation may result in the development of lung injuries and pulmonary diseases, including silicosis and lung cancer. Seek medical treatment if you experience difficulty breathing while using this product. The use of a NIOSH/MSHA-approved respirator (P-, N- or R-95) is recommended to minimize inhalation of cement dust. Eat and drink only in dust-free areas to avoid ingesting cement dust. Skin contact with dry material or wet mixtures may result in bodily injury ranging from moderate irritation and thickening/cracking of skin to severe skin damage from chemical burns. If irritation or burning occurs, seek medical treatment. Protect eyes with goggles or safety glasses with side shields. Cover skin with protective clothing. Use chemical resistant gloves and waterproof boots. In case of skin contact with cement dust, immediately wash off dust with soap and water to avoid skin damage. In case of skin contact with wet cement, wash exposed skin areas with cold running water as soon as possible. In case of eye contact with cement dust, flush immediately and repeatedly with clean water, and consult a physician. If wet cement splashes into eyes, rinse eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and go to the hospital for further treatment.

Please refer to the SDS and www.CTScement.com for additional safety information regarding this material.

LIMITED WARRANTY: CTS Cement Manufacturing Corp. (CTS) warrants its materials to be of good quality and, at its option, will replace or refund the purchase price of any material proven to be defective within one (1) year from date of purchase. The above remedies shall be the limit of CTS’ responsibility. Except for the foregoing, all warranties expressed or implied, including merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are excluded. CTS shall not be liable for any consequential, incidental, or special damages arising directly or indirectly from the use of the materials.

WARNING: CANCER and REPRODUCTIVE HARM - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov