Journal Article

Study on the effect of polycarboxylate superplasticizer on concrete performance under different test temperatures

Zhang, Meijun, Deng, Lei, Shen, Kangyuan, Zhang, Yuanzi, Shen, Jianrong

2025

Overview

Polycarboxylate superplasticizer, as the third-generation concrete superplasticizer, has become an indispensable component in modern concrete production processes. This paper aims to investigate the effect of polycarboxylate superplasticizers on the workability and mechanical properties of concrete at different test temperatures. The study explores the variations in initial slump, initial expansion, 1-hour slump, 1-hour expansion, and release rate, as well as the compressive and flexural strengths at 3 days, 7 days, and 28 days of concrete formulated with polycarboxylate superplasticizer at test temperatures ranging from 30 °C to -20 °C. The conclusions drawn are as follows: As the test temperature gradually decreases from 30 °C to -20 °C, the initial fluidity of cement paste decreases by 16%, and the initial slump and initial expansion of concrete decrease by 9% and 6%, respectively. The release rate slows down by 114%, and both the compressive and flexural strengths at 3 days and 7 days decrease to some extent.

• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Subject: Cement paste / Concrete properties / Flexural strength / Mechanical properties / Superplasticizers / Workability