Use of Water Reducers, Retarders, and Superplasticizer
The use of WRA is defined as Type A in ASTM C 494. WRA affects mainly the fresh properties of concrete by reducing the amount of water used by 5% to 12% while maintaining a certain level of consistency, measured by the slump as prescribed in ASTM C 143-90. The use of WRA may accelerate or retard the initial setting time of concrete.
Chemical Admixtures - Cement
Superplasticizers, also known as plasticizers or high-range water reducers (HRWR), reduce water content by 12 to 30 percent and can be added to concrete with a low-to-normal slump and water-cement ratio to make high-slump flowing concrete.
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]
Types Of Plasticizers In Concrete | How Do Plasticizers Work
Plasticizers and super-plasticizers provide a temporary dispersing effect, that produces a comprehensive hydration of each cement particle, making the fluidity of the mix better. This mix is amalgamated with volcanic fly ash to form the type of hydraulic concrete, a fully hardy and weatherproof material along with extremely erosive salt water.
What are Plasticizers in Concrete? (2025)
Advantages Of Plasticizers In Concrete. Using plasticizers in concrete can offer a number of benefits, including: Improved workability of the concrete mix without the need to add extra water; Increased strength of the concrete without increasing the cement content; A 25% increase in the strength characteristics of the finished concrete foundation
- Why are plasticizers used in concrete?
- Chemical substances called plasticizers, sometimes referred to as water reducers, are mixed into concrete to increase workability without weakening it. They aid in lowering the water content of the mixture, which is necessary to preserve the appropriate strength of the concrete.
- How do plasticizers and water reducers affect concrete strength?
- Since the heat of hydration of mass concrete goes down when the cement weight goes down, plasticizers can do this. Plasticizers and water reducers are chemical admixtures used to make concrete more workable. Unless the mixture is “starved” of water, increasing the w/c ratio reduces the concrete’s strength.
- 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.
- How do Plasticizers make concrete stronger and last longer?
- Plasticizers make concrete stronger and last longer by reducing the amount of water and cement needed to reach a certain level of workability. Since the heat of hydration of mass concrete goes down when the cement weight goes down, plasticizers can do this. Plasticizers and water reducers are chemical admixtures used to make concrete more workable.
- What are plasticizers & water reducers?
- Plasticizers and water reducers are chemical admixtures used to make concrete more workable. Unless the mixture is “starved” of water, increasing the w/c ratio reduces the concrete’s strength. An increase in durability is achieved by decreasing the water content (without “starving” the concrete).
- What is a plasticizer in construction?
- Plasticizers are an indispensable part of large-scale construction projects as well as small-scale do-it-yourself tasks because they lower the water content of concrete while simultaneously improving its overall strength and durability. The term "plasticizer" in construction is widely known. Regretfully, not everybody is aware of what it is.
