Friday, June 14, 2013

The General Uses Of Concrete Plasticizer

By Margarita Joseph


Concrete is a type of material used in the construction industry, for the building of all kinds of large and small items. It is also a material that is fairly difficult to work with, due to its tendency to harden. This is way a concrete plasticizer is commonly used to improve its physical properties. Plasticizers are chemical compounds used to instill flexibility in various types of materials. Some are even used in paint, to prevent cracking.

When used with cement, the chemicals are often called water reducers. A few are also known as superplasticizers, or high range water reducers. They are slightly different in composition to usual plasticizers, but ultimately serve the same purpose. One specific purpose is to lessen the water content within the cement mix so that it becomes a stronger substance.

It is important to use the correct amount of dispersant, as too little will be ineffective, and too much could have a negative effect on the cement, retarding its function. It is recommended to use between one and two percent dispersant per unit weight. This should result in a good that is workable, but strong.

Water reducers work in such way that they cause cement particles to move away from each other, which in turn leads to a less solid material. This occurs by way of a process referred to as electrostatic repulsion. Dispersants commonly used for the improvement in the workability of cement are developed from pop lignosulfonates, which is substance obtainable from factories that make paper.

Dispersants are used for a number of purposes, but in general, they enhance the workability of the cement mixture. Water is required in order to increase the flexibility of the substance, but it also decreases the effectiveness of the cement. For this reason, adding water is undesirable. With a small amount of water reducer, a construction worker can effectively retain the cement's adhesive properties, while at the same time, turn it into a substance that can be pumped and applied more easily.

A reducer also cuts down the chances of cracks and shrinkage. They also improve adhesion and reinforcement when the mixture works with pre-stressed steel. Mixing also helps to cut permeability of the material, which is also less noisy when working with, through fast agitation at the work site. It also increases the segregation resistance of the material that results to a closely packed mixture. Other limitations including bug holes and high slump bleedings are also reduced.

The buildings that are developed within the construction industry are stronger when the cement has been enhanced by plasticizers. The general quality of the finalized product is much better as well. Therefore, besides the fact that concretes are easier to manipulate with water reducers, there are also many other advantages of using the product.

A concrete plasticizer can be purchased from a wide variety of retail outlets, which can be found online or offline. They can be stored for about twelve months, but the directions on their label should be followed. Their instructions should also be read in terms of usage and measurements, and how the product should be washed off in case it has had contact with the skin.




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