Superplasticizers & Other Admixtures

Superplasticizers & Other Admixtures

Superplasticizers, or high range water reducers, are admixtures used to make high slump flowing concrete. They can do this when they are added to low to medium slump, and low water to cement ratio concrete. The resulting highly fluid concrete is workable, needs little compaction and vibration, and  bleeding and segregation are reduced. Fluid concrete is used in placing thin sections, unopen spaces, obstructed reinforced steel, underwater tremie pipe, and pumped concrete. Superplasticizers, entrained air, alginates, and cellulose derivatives are workability agents that lubricate or increase the slump of stiff concrete. Other types of admixtures used in concrete are corrosion inhibitors, damp proofing agents, permeability reducing agents, colouring admixtures, pumping aids, alkali reactivity reduction admixtures, bonding admixtures and agents, grouting agents, gas forming agents, air detrainers (air reducers), and fungicidal, germicidal and insecticidal admixtures.