Frequently Asked Questions

Microorganisms in soil and natural waters assimilate unreacted acrylamide molecules. Additionally, dyes are frequently added to track the individual components during the injection process. In the event of a spill, the grout should be cured and disposed of, the site neutralized with potassium persulfate and sodium metabisulfite solutions, and then rinsed with water.

Pure acrylamide is considered a neurotoxin. Therefore, when handling AV-100 Chemical Grout (acrylamide), a combination of acrylamide monomer (AM) and methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be worn. However, it is important to note that acrylamide has a higher LD50 than everyday substances such as aspirin and caffeine.

In toxicology, the LD50 or median lethal dose of a substance, is the dose required to fatally affect 50% of the members of a test population after a specified test duration. The LD50 for a given substance is expressed as the mass of an administered substance per unit mass of test subject. For example: milligrams per kilogram of body weight. An LD50 of less than 5,000 is considered toxic; therefore, the lower the LD50 the more lethal the substance.

The table below presents the acute oral LD50 (rat) of acrylamide in comparison with other familiar substances.

AV-100 is a blend of acrylamide monomer (AM) and methylenebisacrylamide (MBA). AV-100 is injected as a two (2) component system, which has the same viscosity as water and changes from a liquid to a solid, firm gel in a controllable time frame ranging from 5 seconds to 10+ hours. AV-100 is a true solution grout (has no suspended solids) and is designed to be injected underground to control or stop the flow of groundwater.

The reaction time is controllable from 5 seconds to 10+ hours.

Since 1978, Avanti has offered a Safe Operating Practices Program (SOPP) for contractors who store and use Avanti’s acrylic gel systems – AV-100 Chemical Grout, AV-118 Duriflex, AV-150 Acrylate Gel and AV-160 SuperGel. The SOPP is designed to be the minimum standard for safety, training, and use of personal protective equipment for the grouting industry using acrylic injection grouts. For more information about the SOPP, visit www.avantigrout.com/SOPP.

Once AV-100 has cured, the gel is inert, non-toxic, stable, and irreversible.

No. According to the International Agency on Research for Cancer, IARC, acrylamide is listed under category “Group 2A: Probably Carcinogenic to Humans.” Other known substances listed under the same category consist of diesel engine exhaust, emissions from high temperature frying, and emissions of burning wood to name a few.

Acrylamide is in our everyday diet. According to the Food and Drug Administration, acrylamide is a chemical that can form in some foods during high temperature cooking processes, such as frying, roasting and baking. Acrylamide in food forms from sugars and an amino acid (asparagine) that is naturally present in foods.

AV-100 is designed as a long-term solution. Studies conducted by the US Department of Energy indicate that the half-life in the soil of properly applied AV-100 is 362 years.

The use of acrylamide grout has never been banned. In a notice dated December 2, 2002, the EPA announced the withdrawal of a proposal that would have banned grouts containing acrylamide and the acrylamide derivative N-methyloacrylamide (NMA). After being educated on the safety and benefits of these products, the EPA withdrew the proposal with the knowledge that specific worker safety training was available. Avanti continues to offer Safe Operating Practices Program (SOPP) training to ensure that those handling the products know how to handle them safely.

Acrylamide has been used in the construction and rehabilitation industry for over 70 years. It was first used in the U.S. in the 1950s for soil stabilization. In the early 1960s, acrylamide was used to seal infiltration in the sewer system.

AV-100 Chemical Grout was Avanti’s first product and remains the product of choice for many owners and contractors for the control of groundwater and infiltration, hazardous waste encapsulation and the sealing of entire sewer systems, underground transit systems, mine shafts and tunnels. The product can be injected via remote packer, tube-a-manchette, probe, hand-held injection wand, or F-assembly. AV-100 is used everyday across the United States.

In addition to the AV-100 Chemical Grout, AV-101 Catalyst T+ (triethanolamine) and AV-102 Catalyst AP (ammonium persulfate) are required. AV-101 Catalyst T+ is an organic chemical compound used as an activator for the grout; AV-102 Catalyst AP is the initiator which triggers the reaction.

These three types of grouts make up an acrylic family of resins. Each is used to control groundwater and has varying cured gel strength.

• Acrylamide grout like AV-100 is the cornerstone of the industry and has been used in the U.S. since the 1950s.
• Acrylic grouts like AV-118 have less acrylamide in them and have been used since the early 1990’s in the U.S.
• Acrylates like AV-150 and AV-160 have been available since the 1970s but have only recently gained acceptance in some markets. Acrylates contain no acrylamide and are more expensive than other acrylics. AV-150 and AV-160 creates quite a strong gel but many acrylates on the market create very weak gels.

While proper care and precautions are necessary when handling any injection grout, these products are safely and successfully used throughout the world every day. If you have questions or need further information, call us at 800-877-2570.

Particle size is more important than viscosity to determine a grout’s ability to penetrate extremely small openings. Ninety percent (90%) of the particles in Ultrafine are smaller than 8 microns with an average of three microns – for reference, the human hair measures around 70 microns.

While proper care and precautions are necessary when handling any injection grout, these products are safely and successfully used throughout the world every day. If you have questions or need further information, call us at 800-877-2570.

Hydrophobics can go through wet/dry cycles, while hydrophilics like to stay in a moist environment. Most “phobic” require some form of catalyst and a small amount of moisture to start the reaction; “philics” simply use moisture to start the reaction and should remain in a moist environment after curing.

As a general rule, we do not recommend grouting below 40°F because the cold temperature slows down the reaction times significantly. If using a product with a catalyst, perform cup tests with site water to determine the catalyst amount and result of the cured grout. In actual freezing temperatures, you may not have leaks in cracks to stop if the water is frozen. If injecting below the frost line, the temperature at ground level may not affect the grouting operation.

When used properly and in accordance with manufacturer recommendations, rehabilitation with injection grouts will typically last the life of the structure.

For more information on crack injection, view the Variable Pressure Application Technique (V-PAT) Technical Manual. The V-PAT is a recommended guideline based on experience, however each job is unique and could require deviation depending on jobsite conditions.

While proper care and precautions are necessary when handling any injection grout, these products are safely and successfully used throughout the world every day. If you have questions or need further information, call us at 800-877-2570.