Plasticizers for concrete and their types

Fantastic material, concrete is used for everything from patios in your backyard to roads and bridges. But it takes more than just combining cement, sand, and water to make concrete. Sometimes we need a little assistance to get the best performance and durability, and that’s where plasticizers come into play. These additions strengthen and increase the workability of concrete, much like secret ingredients.

Plasticizers are unique substances added to concrete to improve certain aspects of it. They aid in lowering the required water content without sacrificing a workable consistency. This implies that you can make concrete that is stronger and more resilient without making it too soft or challenging to work with. Plasticizers come in a variety of forms, each intended to meet particular requirements and circumstances.

We’ll examine the many kinds of plasticizers and their functions in this post. We’ll look at the differences between standard plasticizers and high-range water reducers and how each can help your concrete projects. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a do-it-yourself enthusiast, knowing these additives can greatly improve the quality of your work.

Application and purpose of plasticizers

Let’s examine the types of plasticizers for concrete and why they are needed at different stages of construction. With the use of these additives, mixtures can have a 30% strength increase, a 5% reduction in consumption, and a 25% reduction in water consumption.

Additional favorable attributes consist of the following:

• increasing the time of use of the finished solution;
• improving the quality of the material;
• increase in adhesive properties;
• ease of laying the mixture;
• frost resistance.

Types of plasticizers

Different types of concrete that emerged as a result of the use of plasticizers are used to construct monolithic structures. Additives are categorized based on their types, functions, volumes used, and end products.

Concrete plasticizers mostly come in the following types:

1. Hydrophilic – reaction with water, which is located in all concrete mixtures. As a result of the chemical process, a binder and fluid composition forms. Once in a concrete solution, the plasticizer binds water molecules, it turns into a traction mixture interacting with cement, gravel and sand.
2. Hydrophobic and hydrophobizing – in the process of hardening, water is pushed out of the composition. The principle of action is based on the saturation of the mixture by microscopic air cavities, which in turn increases the insulating properties of the finished structure, removes excess moisture, reduces the possibility of freezing of a flooded solution.

Additives are separated into two categories: liquid and dry plasticizers for concrete. They are distinguished by their different application principles and additional components. The dry ones are displayed as powder. They can be combined with the main mass or added to a dry mixture after being diluted with water.

The liquid plasticizer has a high concentration; at most, 1% of the final solution’s volume is accounted for by it. This kind of additive’s primary characteristic is that it partially replaces water, which improves hydration during the hardening process.

Three types of plasticizing mixtures exist based on their origin:

1. Organic – contain natural components. Have a high concentration, are able to react quickly.
2. Inorganic – made on the basis of special compounds that are suitable for organizing formaldehyde and other compounds.
3. Organomineral – contain natural components and other types of minerals.

Material characteristics

Plasticizers are very compatible with materials and have a low degree of volatility. The additive is odorless, and the material’s color is unaffected by its chemical makeup. This is only applicable to premium raw materials that don’t release any alkali when combined.

Qualities of specific kinds of plasticizers:

• can help increase fire resistance;
• resistance to ultraviolet radiation;
• improved heat resistance.

Even though some of the products may only be slightly specific, they all have stronger qualities overall.

Popular brands of additives

Superplasticizers enable you to drastically lower the water content while still reducing the amount of water used in the mixture. Plasticizers do this without altering the mixture’s consistency.

C3, a well-known brand of concrete plasticizer, is included in this group. The process of organic synthesis of cellulose compounds is used to create the additive. Consequently, surfactants are produced, which boost the concrete solution’s strength.

The Sika brand of plasticizer for concrete is an affordable material used in the manufacturing of reinforced concrete products, concrete, and other structures. This series’ additive is very compatible with different kinds of cement and aggregates. It can produce a robust and long-lasting concrete matrix by lowering water consumption by up to 40%.

The TechnoNIKOL plasticizer is one of the most widely used additives to speed up concrete’s strength gain and improve its resistance to water and frost. It is made in liquid form and is utilized in the installation of heated floors, blind areas, door and window slopes, and all kinds of foundations.

Plasticizers are essential components of concrete that enhance its performance and workability. They make the mix easier to work with and shape without sacrificing strength by using less water. Plasticizers come in a variety of forms, such as retarders, water reducers, and high-range water reducers, each intended to solve a particular problem with mixing and curing concrete. Knowing these kinds will enable you to select the ideal plasticizer for your project, improving outcomes and maximizing material usage.

Material consumption

Concrete plasticizer consumption varies according to the release form. For instance, when measuring a liquid additive to be used in the construction of walls, floor screeds, and ceilings, the ratio should be 0.5–1 liter per 100 kilograms of cement. Self-compacting concrete, which is used to pour foundations and forms for intricate reinforced concrete load-bearing structures, requires 1-2 liters of cement for every 100 kilograms of cement.

The dry plasticizer is supplied as a powder that needs to be mixed with the original material after being diluted with water. The concentration range for the solution is 15–35%.

Since manufacturers may specify different amounts for using the additive, you must use the dosage listed on the packaging to calculate how much plasticizer to add to concrete.

You must determine the amount of cement that will be used to prepare the mixture in order to determine the final concentration of the plasticizing additive. Since most home concrete mixers are made to hold between 10 and 15 kg of cement, it is more practical to use a standard container, like a liter jar. The ideal plasticizer ratio for concrete is roughly 0.7% if the container states between 0.5 and 1%.

Preparing a plasticizer with your own hands

You can prepare the concrete yourself in place of replacing the plasticizer.

Use of powder, liquid soap, or shampoo is one of the simplest methods. Foam is produced when mixing concrete mixture. One bag will hold roughly 200 grams of powder or 200 milliliters of any substance, depending on the weight of the cement.

Slaked lime can be used to plaster surfaces at a ratio of 200 grams to 1 kilogram of concrete. The consistency of the solution will improve and it will get more elastic.

One drawback of using home remedies is that efflorescence may appear on the dried surface when using soapy substances. However, you can prevent these issues by adding glue to the mixture.

The solution won’t be ruined by the glue, and when it dries, cracks won’t show. The product should be used at a ratio of 200 milligrams of glue to 10 liters of solution.

While making your own concrete plasticizer at home is inexpensive, one of its main drawbacks is that it leaves a lot of foam behind. It is therefore preferable to use ingredients with less foaming in this situation or to wait for the bubbles to settle.

Advantages of using a plasticizer for concrete

There are a lot of advantages to using plasticizing additives, including:

• High quality and optimal cost. With the use of a plasticizer, cement consumption is reduced by about 25%, which allows you to reduce costs for it.
• Increase in the life of the mixture by 4-5 hours if it needs to be transported for a long time. Thus, you can save time that could be spent on constantly mixing the finished solution.
• Increase in the strength of the composition by about 20%. In practice, it has been proven that work with the base can be started earlier, there is no need to wait 28 days for the concrete to settle.
• Increase in drying time. This advantage will make it possible to pour the foundation in several stages, without knocking down the top layer of concrete. This will only increase the strength, cracks will not appear on the surface.
• Possibility to use special equipment. When constructing objects, a solution with low elasticity must be lifted to the floors manually. Using a plasticizer increases its elasticity, which allows you to involve a gasoline pump in the work.
• During the process of laying the mixture, there is no need to use a vibratory compactor. This tool is designed to mix the solution, allows you to remove excess air bubbles. Due to the fact that the concrete mixture becomes mobile, there is no need to use a vibratory compactor.
• Maximum filling of voids. Thick concrete does not fall through a large amount of reinforcement well, with the addition of a plasticizing agent, this problem will disappear. Thanks to this, the base becomes more durable, will not crack under heavy load.
• Increase in waterproofing. The solution becomes thicker, at sub-zero temperatures the risk of concrete rupture decreases.

Conclusion

With the exception of the fact that you will need to pay for it and carefully consider what you need to buy, the product essentially has no drawbacks. When selecting the best plasticizer for concrete, the outstanding quality that is achieved in the end justifies its cost.

In the realm of concrete, plasticizers are revolutionary because they provide a number of advantages that improve the material’s workability and performance. You can create a smoother and more flexible mix by adding these additives, which will make handling your construction projects easier and yield better results.

Plasticizers come in a variety of forms, each intended to fulfill a particular purpose. Concrete that is stronger and more durable is produced, for example, when water-reducing plasticizers help to reduce the amount of water required while maintaining the same workability. This is further enhanced by high-range water reducers, also known as superplasticizers, which enable substantial water reduction and low water-to-cement ratios to be used without compromising consistency.

Based on the specifications of your project, select the appropriate kind of plasticizer. There is a plasticizer that is appropriate for the job, whether you need to extend workability, boost strength, or enhance flow. Gaining knowledge about these choices guarantees that you get the most out of your concrete mix and aids in decision-making.

To sum up, plasticizers are necessary equipment for contemporary concrete construction. They improve the product’s overall quality and longevity in addition to making it easier to use. You can make sure that your concrete functions at its best and endures over time by choosing the right plasticizer.

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