Polycarboxylate superplasticizer is the third generation of high-performance water reducers, developed after the ordinary water reducers represented by lignosulfonates and the high-efficiency water reducers represented by naphthalene. It is one of the most advanced, technology-intensive, and promising water reducers with the best overall performance available globally.
The dosage of polycarboxylate water reducer is typically 0.4% to 2.5% of the total weight of the binder materials, with the commonly used dosage ranging from 0.8% to 1.5%. A concrete mix test should be conducted prior to use to determine the optimal dosage. Overuse is strictly prohibited: Excessive use may cause issues such as concrete segregation, bleeding (due to excessive water reduction leading to reduced paste encapsulation), excessive retardation (as some PCE may contain retardant components), and surface dusting after hardening (due to excessive water evaporation).
Polycarboxylate water reducer should not be mixed with naphthalene-based water reducers. When using polycarboxylate water reducer, any equipment such as mixers or trucks previously used with naphthalene-based water reducers must be thoroughly cleaned, as residual substances may impair the water-reducing effect.
Polycarboxylate water reducer can be added in its original liquid form or prepared into a solution of a specific concentration, with the water content introduced by the polycarboxylate water reducer itself subtracted from the total water amount.
Due to the higher water reduction rate of concrete containing polycarboxylate water reducer, the slump is more sensitive to the water content. Therefore, strict control of the water amount is required during usage.
Polycarboxylate water reducer is compatible with most types of cement, but some cements may show lower water reduction rates and greater slump loss. Additionally, cement fineness and storage time may influence the performance of polycarboxylate water reducer. In such cases, the issue can be addressed by appropriately increasing the dosage or by blending with other retardant components. Alternatively, please contact us for timely assistance.
After adding polycarboxylate water reducer, the air content in concrete typically increases (generally 2%–5%), which is beneficial for improving workability and durability. If the polycarboxylate water reducer is to be used in steam-cured concrete or for other specific requirements, please contact us for assistance.
Due to its small dosage and high water-reducing rate, polycarboxylate water reducer allows for the production of high-performance concrete, significantly reducing engineering costs and providing considerable technical and economic benefits.
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