To gain greater improvements in concrete strength or slump, Type A water reducers and Type G retarding high-range water reducers are sometimes added to concrete mixes in dosage rates beyond their normal range.
Unfortunately, high dosages of conventional water reducers can also result in longer set times. The Grace Mira range, however has a more neutral influence on set over a wider range of dosage rates.
Many of the benefits achievable with these products stem from this dosage flexibility. Concrete producers, for example, can use a Grace Mira product, and by varying dosage rates can obtain desired slump levels or water reductions in concrete without causing spotty setting problems for the contractor. Contractors benefit because the concrete's predictable and consistent set times allow them to maintain production schedules and use crews more efficiently.
These products tend to be more stable over a wider range of temperatures. Conventional water reducers tend to retard setting at cooler temperatures or high addition rates. The Grace Mira range typically has the same effects on concrete properties during cold weather as they do at more favourable temperatures, and are more dosage efficient.
 
Improved workability and finishing
In addition to performing the normal role of dispersing the cement particles in the mixing water, Grace Mira products contain a 'slickening agent', that helps the concrete particles slide over and around each other more freely. This slickness can be felt during concrete placement and finishing operations, and it often results in greater productivity and better surfaces.
Concrete containing Grace Mira products has been described by contractors as creamier, fatter, having less drag, and easier to close.

Faster pumping and placement
When using concrete containing Grace Mira products, the slump can be adjusted by varying the admixture dosage while maintaining the same water-cement ratio. Thus, the workability needed for concrete pumping and placement can be achieved without the detrimental effects of added water or altered setting characteristics.

Applications
Concrete containing the Grace Mira range of products is suitable for many applications. Its adjustable slump and surface slickness minimise time delays on projects where placement is difficult or pumping is necessary. Also, the rich feeling imparted to the concrete decreases the detrimental effects of manufactured sands and harsh concrete mixtures on finishing. Using Grace Mira products in many other applications has its own benefits, for example ready-mixed concrete, site batch concrete, reinforced concrete structures and precast concrete. The tendency of concrete surfaces to close easily makes the admixture well suited for extruded concrete, slip formwork, slabs on grade, and roller-compacted concrete pavements.
But despite the high water reduction some products can achieve, high-range water reducers may still have to be used to obtain flowing high slump concrete or to obtain very low water-cement-ratio concrete. Grace Mira products can be used in conjunction with high-range water reducers to obtain the benefits of both. Care should be maintained not to overdose the mix when combining Grace Mira products and high-range water reducers. It is advisable to conduct proving trials to assess the overall benefits.
Grace Construction Products actively promotes its range of chemical admixtures in the Middle East through its affiliate company Emirates Chemicals, which has been a leader in the field for more than 20 years. From its base in Dubai, a comprehensive range of products are marketed throughout the region to customers who constantly demand improved performance from the admixtures they use. To meet these requirements Grace uses its technical expertise and market knowledge in the development of value-added product solutions, Grace also delivers a level of service and support, which is evident throughout the industry, by covering all phases of a project.
With over 140 plants and offices around the world, Grace is a truly global company. Through its operations, Grace offers extensive field and laboratory based technical service to its customers, which will assist them, in producing high quality concrete.