Performance evaluation of commercial superplasticizing additives based on polycarboxylate on the mechanical and microstructural properties of Portland cement pastes

ABSTRACT The performance of dispersing admixtures is directly related to the characteristics of the utilized molecule and it can vary according from the original. In this context, the objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of four commercial polycarboxylate-based in Portland cement pastes with low w/c ratio. The admixtures were characterized through tests of solids content and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The performance of the admixtures in the pastes was evaluated by the mini-slump test, as well as by the air void content, compressive strength at 28 days and thermogravimetry. For both a / c ratios evaluated, the four additives showed different spreadings for the same solids content used. It was also found that different types of additives caused different changes in the induction periods, as well as different air incorporations, which resulted in different compressive strengths of the pastes, so that the greatest compressive strength can be attributed to the lowest content of incorporated air. These results can be explained because the performance of the additive is associated with the size of its molecule, side chains, molecular weight and the adsorption of the molecule in the chemical compounds of cement. Noting that the same chemical bases of additives (polycarboxylates) result in different behaviors of cement mixtures, it is emphasized that the prior compatibility test between Portland cement and the chemical additive that will be used in the production of the cement matrix is of paramount importance.