When a machine baseplate sits on concrete, the grout underneath has to stay put. MasterFlow non-shrink grout from BASF holds its dimensions through cure, transferring load from the equipment into the slab without gaps or settlement. Oshawa Concrete mixes and places MasterFlow for industrial equipment commissioning, structural anchor retrofits, and any application where grout stability is engineered into the job.
Ordinary concrete shrinks as it cures. For a driveway or patio, that's acceptable. Under a machine baseplate, shrinkage creates voids between the grout and the sole plate, breaking the load path and allowing the equipment to settle or vibrate. MasterFlow uses engineered chemistry to eliminate shrinkage, keeping the grout in full contact with the baseplate throughout cure and beyond.
The grout's job is to distribute the machine's weight evenly across the foundation slab. If the grout shrinks away from the plate, the load concentrates at the bolt holes, and the equipment rocks. We specify MasterFlow products based on the machine's load class, the application method (gravity flow, pump, or pressure injection), and any chemical exposure the grout will face.
Pair MasterFlow with equipment pad concrete work when the slab is new, or with heavy equipment services for retrofit grouting. The full BASF product suite includes waterproofing and floor systems that coordinate with grouting for larger industrial projects.
Recent work
Installation sequence
How MasterFlow Grouting Gets Done in Oshawa
Review equipment spec
We obtain the machine manufacturer's grouting specification and any project engineer requirements, then select the appropriate MasterFlow product (cementitious for standard loads, epoxy for high-load or chemical environments).
Prepare the cavity
The baseplate cavity is cleaned, anchor bolts are verified in position, the baseplate is leveled and shimmed as needed, and the cavity walls are prepped to receive grout.
Mix and place grout
MasterFlow is mixed to the exact BASF water ratio (this ratio is critical to non-shrink performance), then placed into the cavity by gravity flow, pump, or pressure injection depending on geometry and product type.
Cure and commission
The grout cures per BASF schedule (hours for rapid-set epoxy, days for high-strength cementitious), and the installation is documented for the equipment commissioning file and warranty.
The mixing discipline
Why Water Ratio Is Non-Negotiable
MasterFlow's non-shrink performance is engineered into a specific water-to-powder ratio. Too much water and the grout shrinks like ordinary cement. Too little and it does not flow into the cavity. We measure and mix to the BASF specification every batch because any deviation compromises the chemistry and the load-transfer performance.
This is where precision matters. A baseplate that looks level but sits on shrunk grout will rock under load. The equipment operator will notice vibration, misalignment, or premature wear. We document the mix ratio and cure schedule so the equipment commissioning team has a record of what was installed and when it reached load-bearing strength. Coordinate with MasterTop floor systems if the equipment pad is part of a larger industrial floor, and with manufacturing facility work for multi-phase projects.
Cementitious vs epoxy, mix ratios, baseplate spec and commissioning.
Cementitious for most baseplate grouting (high compressive strength, good non-shrink performance, lower cost). Epoxy for higher-load or chemically aggressive environments and where rapid set is needed. We pick based on the spec and load.
Because the non-shrink performance is calibrated to a specific water ratio. Off-ratio mixing compromises the engineered chemistry, the grout shrinks during cure, and the load-transfer path through the baseplate is degraded.
Yes, for larger cavities or pressure-required installs. Most baseplate grouts go in by gravity flow with appropriate flow techniques; pressure injection is reserved for specific geometries.
Cementitious products typically cure to load-bearing strength in days; rapid-set epoxy can reach service strength in hours. The exact cure schedule is in the BASF product spec; equipment commissioning follows it.
Yes, MasterFlow products include formulations for structural anchor grouting where engineered non-shrink performance is critical. We pick the right product from the BASF range.
MasterFlow under a turbine baseplate, full non-shrink performance verified at commissioning. Equipment runs without vibration issues, no settlement at the pad. Real engineering grouting.
Z. I6
Industrial Operations, Oshawa
★★★★★
They mixed to the BASF water ratio exactly every batch. The discipline is invisible but the result shows in load-transfer performance through the cured grout.
Y. I6
Plant Engineer, Toronto
★★★★★
Equipment retrofit with MasterFlow regrouting on a baseplate that had failed. New install holds; the original had used standard grout and shrunk away from the plate. Right product made the difference.
Q. I6
Maintenance Manager, Brampton
★★★★★
Rapid-set epoxy MasterFlow on a tight commissioning timeline. Cured to load strength inside the window we had. The right product within the BASF range matters.
X. I6
Facility Engineer, Mississauga
From the blog
Concrete Guides & Articles
Practical reading on planning, finishes and caring for concrete in Oshawa.
