Title: Working Mechanism of a Shrinkage-Reducing Superplasticizer of New Generation

Author(s): K. Yamada, H. Nakanishi, S. Tamaki, M. Yaguchi, M. Kinoshita, and S. Okazawa

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 222

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 171-184

Keywords: freezing and thawing; polycarboxylate; shrinkage reducing admixture; superplasticizers

DOI: 10.14359/13312

Date: 5/1/2004

Abstract:
The working mechanism of a polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PC) which is a new generation of superplasticizer (NSP) is investigated. This NSP shows a shrinkage reducing effect as well as a water reducing effect with adequate slump retention in a wide range of water cement ratio by introducing a shrinkage-reducing component (SRC) into the molecular structure. Superplasticizers have been thought to be adsorbed on cement hydrates and to show their particle dispersing effects by modifying the inter-particle potentials. On the other hand, shrinkage reducing agents of the organic type have been thought to exist at the interface between the aqueous and the pore phases in hardened cement paste and to show their shrinkage reducing effects by reducing the surface tension, which occasionally results in the degradation of freezing and thawing (F/T) resistance. In this study, the mechanisms of NSP are discussed. By building a SRC into the molecular structure, the entrained air system is expected to be controlled successfully compared to traditional shrinkage-reducing agents (SRA) and so the degradation of F/T resistance can be avoided. With the progress of hydration, SRC is released from NSP and the surface tensions decreases, which results in the reduction of drying shrinkage.