Why Manufacturing is Cool

When you take on a construction project, you invest many resources to make it a success. Think about the time you spend looking for good contractors, engineers and designers. Moreover, you also dig deep into your pockets to get the best materials for the undertaking. All these things need to pay off, so it makes sense to give lots of attention to materials such as formatubes. These specially designed cardboards come in handy when your builders need to pour or lay concrete columns. Once the concrete enters the tube, it requires some time to set before you can remove the formatube. The result is a robust and smooth column to support your structure. Here are some things you should keep in mind when choosing formatubes for your project.

The Internal Texture Matters

If you intend to have smooth columns on your structure, pay attention to the texture of the formatube used to hold the concrete. The fresh concrete mimics the shape of the formatube, meaning that it will pick up any indentations on the formatube. These indentations create a rough texture as the column cures. Correcting for such imperfections is expensive and time-consuming.

To avoid such cases, avoid formatubes with spiral tubes on the interior lining. Such products are often a result of manufacturers using excess cardboard, causing it to overlap and dent your concrete column.

Beware of Corrosion

Most concreting applications involve mixing concrete with cement-based chemical and ingredients. The combination can take a toll on the materials used during construction and your formatube is no exception. Therefore, it helps to go for materials that can stand up to corrosion while meeting the builders' functional needs. Go for formatube column formers made from laminate and rigid cardboard. The materials feature a lightweight fibre construction with adequate reinforcement to stand up to the weight of fresh concrete. These types of formatubes are ideal for versatile and fast construction.

Check for Water Resistance

Water poses many risks besides corroding your formatube. If lots of water finds its way into the column, it ruins the structural integrity. The water alters the composition of the concrete mixture and changes the curing properties of the concrete. Luckily, you can address this problem using formatubes. The best types of formatubes are infused with a sturdy plastic coating. The coating adds to the formatube's strength while preventing the ingress of water to the core of the concrete column.

For more information, contact a formatube supplier.