Superplasticizers: the wonder of fluid concrete

Superplasticizers are used to enhance the fluidity of the concrete without adding water. These molecules physically separate the grains of cement by neutralizing their force of attraction. Consequently, the concrete remains fluid for over 2 hours and is easier to use, more resistant and longer lasting. See superplasticizers at work in this close-up video.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Lafarge
• cement
• aggregates
• concrete
• gypsum
• architecture
• architects
• research
• R&D
• innovation
• Ferrier
• Marrec
• Combarel
• Mimram

[adrianhopper]

thanks for your reply! do you supply or could you reccomend an concrete additive which makes tghe mix more fluid, adds strength, reduces the need for vibration to get rid of air holes and helps to give a smoother surface finish? thanks Adrian

[LafargeGroup]

@adrianhopper Dear Adrian, thank you for your interest. The products we supply are different from one country to another. Therefore we advise you to contact directly our sales teams in the UK who will be best able to answer your enquiries. You can find contact details on the Agilia product page we mentioned earlier. Here is the path to access this page: lafarge.co.uk, ‘Aggregates & Concrete’ section > ‘Products’ section > ‘Agilia’ page.

[adrianhopper]

hi, does any one know what you add to a concrete/cement mix to make the cast come out of the mold with a glossy polished surface?

[LafargeGroup]

@adrianhopper The aesthetic aspect of a concrete surface depends to a large extent on the initial fluidity of the concrete when it is poured. This means that the choice of superplasticizer used in the concrete is key. We look to optimize the fluidity of concrete by using a superplasticizer to disperse the cement particles in the concrete as much as possible. The best formulation to obtain aesthetically pleasing surfaces will be a fluid concrete, or a 'self-compacting concrete'.

[adrianhopper]

@LafargeGroup hi, thanks for that! what is the best way to achieve a fluid cement mix and how do you make self compacting concrete? does it help to cast against a glassy surface to achieve a glossy surface finish?

[LafargeGroup]

@adrianhopper Lafarge has developed a range of self-compacting concretes called Agilia®, adapted to a large number of different applications. You can find out more about these concretes - characteristics, applications, benefits, products datasheets... - on Lafarge UK website (Aggregates & Concrete > Readymix > Products > Agilia). Thanks.

[LafargeGroup]

@DaemonEA : By using the superplasticizers presented in the film, we can in fact reduce water content while improving concrete fluidity and thus avoid slab curl effect.

[DaemonEA]

With so much water how do you control slab curl? W/C Ratio being the an important factor in slab curl.

[LafargeGroup]

Hello, thank you for your comment. Lafarge trains its production team from batcher to drivers to make sure that the right concrete formulations are designed in the plant to meet the standards and specifications requested so that additions on site is to be made. Such additions can never be made unless under responsability of a lafarge technician or under full responsibility of the customer.

[blowitthenleave]

what is failed to be mentioned is they have no way of ensuring constant and consistent slump...which directly controls set ti9mes.drivers all arrive with slumps that vary by as much as 5omm on larger pours which can be adjusted by the addition of SP.however who makes the decision of how much to add?the poorly trained driver will only guess leaving flatwork with varied slump.sp is just another varience and headache to deal with.