The arrival of the monsoon in India is a welcome relief from the summer heat, but for the construction industry, it often brings a wave of challenges. Rain, humidity, and moisture can bring projects to a grinding halt, causing costly delays and compromising the quality of work. One of the biggest headaches for contractors and builders has always been formwork, especially traditional materials like plywood, which simply cannot stand up to the relentless dampness.
For decades, the industry has grappled with the damaging effects of water on shuttering materials. But what if the monsoon didn’t have to mean a pause in progress? What if there was a material that could brave the downpour and keep your project on track?
This is where modern, water-resistant shuttering boards are stepping in and completely changing the game. Leading this innovation is the PAC® (Plastic Aluminum Composite) Shuttering Board by Rajratan, a revolutionary product designed to overcome the very challenges that plague monsoon construction.
The Monsoon Nightmare: Why Traditional Formwork Fails
To appreciate the solution, we first need to understand the problem. Traditionally, construction sites have relied heavily on two types of formwork: plywood and steel. While both have their uses, the monsoon season cruelly exposes their weaknesses.
- Plywood’s Water Woes: Plywood is essentially layers of wood veneer glued together. When exposed to rain and moisture, it acts like a sponge. It absorbs water, causing it to swell, warp, and delaminate. The surface becomes uneven, resulting in a poor-quality concrete finish that requires extra plastering and labour costs to fix. Moreover, its lifespan plummets in wet conditions. A standard plywood board might offer up to 12 repetitions in dry weather, but this number drops significantly during the monsoon, forcing frequent and expensive replacements.
- Steel’s Rust Risk: Steel formwork might seem like a sturdier alternative, but it comes with its own set of problems. Continuous exposure to moisture leads to rust and corrosion. This not only weakens the shuttering over time but can also stain the concrete surface, affecting the aesthetics of the structure. Steel is also heavy, cumbersome to handle, and often proves to be a less economical option in the long run.
These limitations mean that during the four to five months of monsoon, projects either slow down drastically or contractors are forced to constantly invest in new formwork, driving up the overall project cost.
The Modern Solution: Enter the PAC® Shuttering Board
Imagine a shuttering board that is completely indifferent to water. A board that doesn’t swell, rust, or degrade, no matter how much it rains. That is the promise of the PAC® Shuttering Board.
Manufactured by Rajratan, the PAC® board is an advanced composite material made from a unique mix of industrial-grade plastics, Aluminum Oxide, Fibre, and Cross Linked Polymers (XLP) Metal. This innovative composition gives it properties that are perfectly suited for the harsh conditions of Indian construction sites, especially during the monsoon.
Unmatched Water Resistance: The Core Advantage
The standout feature of the PAC® board is that it is 100% waterproof. Official tests conducted as per IS:1734 (Part 6) – 1983 standards show “No Swelling” even after prolonged water exposure.
What does this mean for a construction site?
- Zero Swelling or Warping: Unlike plywood, PAC® boards maintain their shape and structural integrity. You get a consistently flat and smooth surface for your concrete work every single time.
- Superior Finish: Because the board’s surface remains perfectly smooth, it imparts a high-quality finish to the concrete. This significantly reduces the need for secondary finishing work like plastering, saving both time and money.
- No Delamination: The composite structure is solid and homogenous, meaning there are no layers to peel apart or delaminate, a common failure point for wet plywood.
Built for the Long Haul: Incredible Durability and Repetitions
While traditional plywood gives up after a dozen uses, PAC® boards are designed for an exceptionally long service life. They offer up to 100+ repetitions, a figure that leaves plywood, steel, and even standard PVC boards far behind.
This high number of repetitions makes PAC® boards an incredibly cost-effective solution. Instead of buying new plywood every few weeks during the monsoon, a single set of PAC® boards can last through multiple projects. It’s an investment that pays for itself over and over again.
More Than Just Waterproof: A Host of Other Benefits
The advantages of PAC® boards extend far beyond their performance in the rain.
- Economically Smart: With higher repetitions and a longer lifespan, PAC® is an economically viable choice for any frequent buyer. Furthermore, Rajratan offers a fantastic 40% Buy Back Replacement option, ensuring you get maximum value from your investment.
- Eco-Friendly Choice: PAC® boards are an environmentally friendly substitute for plywood, helping to reduce deforestation. They are 100% recyclable and are free of harmful substances like lead, arsenic, and mercury, making your construction site greener and safer.
- Easy to Handle and Maintain: Despite their strength, these boards are easy to work with and require no special workmanship for installation. After de-shuttering, they can be cleaned easily with water to remove concrete particles, ready for the next use.
- High Strength and Resistance: These boards are not only waterproof but also UV resistant, fire-resistant, and resistant to various chemicals like acids and solvents, making them durable in every sense of the word.
Making the Most of Your PAC® Boards
To ensure you get the maximum number of repetitions and the best performance from your PAC® shuttering boards, Rajratan recommends a few simple guidelines:
- Handle with Care: Avoid dropping the boards from a height, especially on their corners, during de-shuttering to extend their service life.
- Proper Stacking: When not in use, stack the boards properly on a level surface.
- Use Forming Oil: Applying a suitable forming oil is recommended for an even better finish and longer board life.
- Clean After Use: After removing the formwork, clean the boards with water to prepare them for the next pour.
Build Without Breaks: Embrace the Monsoon with Confidence
The monsoon season no longer has to be a period of downtime and financial loss. With advanced solutions like the PAC® Shuttering Board by Rajratan, the construction industry can
To learn more about how PAC® Shuttering Boards can benefit your next project, contact
Rajratan Industries Private Limited.
- Phone: 0731 4045302
- Mobile: +91 96857 27927
- Email: info@rajratan.in