Effect of superplasticizers on the rheological properties of cements

In this paper, the rheological properties of cement pastes made with different types of cement and superplasticizers are discussed. As a tool for the discussion, experiments involving dispersion of cement particles, fluidity, viscosity, yield stress and zeta potential have been conducted. The results obtained show that the chemical compositions of the cements such as C₃A and sulfate content, alkali and ground lime content are important features controlling the rheology of cement pastes. Three types of sulfonated superplasticizers (lignosulonate-based, melamine formaldehyde sulfonic acid, naphthalene formaldehyde sulfonic acid) and one type of polycarboxylic acid polymer were used. The results revealed that the mechanism by which these polymers disperse cement particles differs fundamentally. Sulfonated superplasticizers induced a negative charge on cement particles dispersing them by electrostatic repulsion, whereas with the polycarboxylate-based polymer the dispersion mechanism is mainly controlled by steric hindrance. A model for the adsorption of superplasticizer on a cement particle is proposed.