Effect of polysaccharides on the hydration of cement paste at early ages

This work deals with the relative efficiency of polysaccharides and their influence on cement hydration. Several parameters such as the structure, concentration, average molecular weight, and soluble fraction value of polysaccharides were examined. Cement hydration was monitored by isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetry (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Results clearly show that retardation increases with higher polysaccharide-to-cement weight ratio (P/C). Low-molecular-weight starch showed enhanced retarding effect on the hydration of cement. The retardation effect of polysaccharides is also dependent on the composition of cement.