Use of Water Reducers, Retarders, and Superplasticizer
The use of superplasticizers may produce high strength concrete (compressive strength up to 22,000 psi). Superplasticizers can also be utilized in producing flowing concrete used in a heavy reinforced structure with inaccessible areas. Requirement for producing flowing concrete is defined in ASTM C 1017.
Superplasticizer
Plasticizers are chemical compounds that enable the production of concrete with approximately 15% less water content. Superplasticizers allow reduction in water content by 30% or more. These additives are employed at the level of a few weight percent. Plasticizers and superplasticizers retard the curing of concrete. [1]
Superplasticizer: Types, Advantages & Disadvantages
1. Superplasticizers reduces the water content. 2. It reduces the cement content. 3. Also, increases the workability of concrete. 4. It reduces the permeability of concrete. 5. They are easy to placement. 6. Increased long terms. 7. It develops the early strength. Disadvantages of Superplasticizer: 1.
15 Types of Admixtures Used in Concrete - The Constructor
In addition to increase in workability it also improves the strength of concrete, good bond between concrete and steel, prevents cracking, segregation, honeycombing, bleeding etc. Water reducing admixtures are also called as plasticizers and these are classified into three types namely plasticizers, mid-range plasticizers and super plasticizers.
What are Plasticizers in Concrete? (2025)
Plasticizers are substances that are added to concrete to reduce the amount of water needed for proper mixing and workability. This allows for the production of concrete with higher strength, as the water-cement ratio (w/c) is inversely proportional to the strength of the concrete. Plasticizers, also known as high range water reducers, are
- What is a plasticizer in concrete?
- and more resistant to cold. A plasticizer is an additive used in concrete to improve its workability, performance, and durability. Plasticizers are typically added to concrete mixes to make pouring, shaping, and finishing easier. They can also help to increase the strength and reduce the permeability of the hardened concrete.
- How do plasticizers work?
- Plasticizers allow concrete to be poured and molded more easily during construction while reducing cracking as it cures. They also improve the tensile strength of concrete. Plasticizers work by embedding themselves between chains of polymers, spacing them apart. This helps the concrete and plastics become more flexible and malleable.
- Why do we use plasticizer?
- The use of plasticizer is found to improve the desirable qualities of the plastic or green concrete. For making reinforced concrete or mass concrete of higher workability nowadays it has become a standard practice to use plasticizer or super plasticizer.
- Do Plasticizers improve the strength of concrete?
- The use of plasticizers generally improves the physical and structural properties of concrete, as well as increasing the profitability of the project; We have learned from experiences that the results have been positive with respect to the compressive strength of concrete.
- Why do we use super plasticizer in concrete?
- Nowadays the use of super plasticizer has become a universal practice to reduce the water/cement ratio for the given workability. The reduction in water/cement ratio increases the strength and improves durability of the concrete. Sometimes plasticizers are used to reduce the cement content and heat of hydration in mass concrete.
- Do plasticizers increase mechanical strength?
- Plasticizers are used as reducers to reduce the water content to improve the physical properties of concrete. From which it was possible to demonstrate very favorable results from water reducers (plasticizers) that increase mechanical strength when these additives are used in sufficient proportion.
