Chemical Structures and Performance of New High-Range Water-Reducing and Air-Entraining Agents

High range water reducing agents (superplasticizers), in general, adsorb the surface of cement particles and disperse the particles by means of electric force. Recently, there has been a development of a new type of high range water reducing agents which have characteristically long chains of polyethylene oxides (EO) as branches. When the new molecules adsorb on the particles, it is considered that long EO chains are expanded in the water/cement mixture and that each particle disperse due to their steric repulsion instead of electric. So, it can bring good workability to the concrete mix and retain fluidity for a longer period without retarding on the setting. Therefore, it can be applied to various concrete, such as high and ultra high strength concrete.