Effect of various superplasticizers on the rheological properties of Portland cement pastes

In the present work, the influence of the addition of some superplasticizers employed for maximising the solid loading of Portland cement pastes has been investigated. Cement pastes were prepared from deionized water and a commercial manufactured ordinary Portland cement 32.5 R (produced by Buzzi Unicem). Cement and water were mixed with a vane stirrer according to ASTM Standard C305. The water/cement ratio was kept fixed at 0.32. Three commercial superplasticizing agents produced by Ruredil were used: they are based on a melamine resin (Fluiment 33 M), on a modified lignosulphonate (Concretan 200 L), and on a modified polyacrylate (Ergomix 1000). Rheological tests were carried out at 25 °C by using the rate controlled coaxial cylinder viscometer Rotovisko-Haake 20, system M5-Osc., measuring device MV2P with serrated surfaces. The tests were performed under both continuous and oscillatory flow conditions. Ergomix 1000 presents a different behaviour as that of the other two superplasticizers studied, because it shows a marked shear-thickening behaviour above a critical deflocculant concentration and slight elastic effects particularly at high dosages as well.