Synthesis and Performance of Triisopropanolamine-Modified Polycarboxylate Cement Grinding Aid

Abstract

In this study, a triisopropanolamine (TIPA)-modified polycarboxylate cement grinding aid was synthesized via a free radical polymerization reaction, and its effects on cement properties were investigated. The synthesized grinding aid was evaluated through cement grinding experiments, by comparing cement samples with and without the additive. The influences on particle size distribution, specific surface area, residue content, setting behavior, flowability, and mechanical strength were systematically evaluated. The results demonstrated that the modified polycarboxylate cement grinding aid significantly refined size distribution of particles, enlarged the specific surface area to 4900 cm2/g (27.9% increase), decreased 45 μm residue content to 0.8%, accelerated setting, and improved the flowability of the cement paste. Strength tests of cement mortar indicated that the additive improved both early and late compressive strength, with 3d and 28d strengths increasing by 6.5 MPa and 5.7 MPa, respectively, compared to the blank sample, providing strong theoretical support for its potential use in industrial cement production.