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Updated: Jun 8, 2025

Expression of Cementitious Pore Solution and the Analysis of Its Chemical Composition and Resistivity Using X-ray Fluorescence
Published on: September 23, 2018
Poly(carboxylated ether)s as Cement Additives: The Effect of the Addition Method on Hydration Kinetics
Sara Beldarrain1, Guido Goracci2, Jorge S Dolado2
1POLYMAT, Kimika Aplikatua Saila, Kimika Fakultatea, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Joxe Mari Korta Zentroa, Tolosa Hiribidea 72, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
Abstract:
Polycarboxylate ether (PCE) superplasticisers have been widely used in cement formulations. However, it is not until recently that several studies have analysed the relationship between the properties and the molecular structure. In the present work, PCEs with different side chain lengths and charge densities synthesised through free radical copolymerisation are used to analyse the effect they have on the hydration of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). It was found that the addition method of these PCEs to the OPC significantly affects the hydration kinetics of the cement paste. When PCEs are added through the direct addition method, a linear dependency between the retardation of hydration and the microstructure of the used PCEs is observed. On the contrary, when PCEs are added through the delayed addition method (PCEs are added to the cement paste 5 min after water), no retardation in hydration is observed, but the rate of hydration is reduced.
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