Multi-level flocculation structures of fresh cement paste by confocal laser scanning microscope

Under saturation dosage of all kinds of SP, the free water amount was examined by centrifuge. The distribution of solution and flocculation microstructures in fresh cement paste was observed in three-dimensional space by confocal laser scanning microscope(CLSM). Results indicate that SP can increase the free water amount by destroying the flocculated cement particle structure and different free water amount is released by different kinds of SP. The changes of the size of flocculation structures and the dispersion of solution were obviously detected with confocal laser scanning microscope: the size of flocculation structures was smaller and more dispersed in fresh cement paste with polycarboxylate superplasticizer, but the size of flocculation structures was bigger and cannot be dispersed uniformly in fresh cement paste with others SP. The multi-level flocculation structures theoretical model of fresh cement paste was then set up. The theory indicates that different kinds of SP with different dispersion strength will open the flocculation structures at different levels, which in turn present different water reducing rate.