Superplasticizers (SPs) are also known as high- range water reducers that are additive used in making high strength concrete. Plasticizers are chemical compounds that enable the production of concrete with approximately 15% less water content. Superplasticizers allow a 30% or more reduction in water content.
It is chemical admixtures that are added to the concrete to improve their flowing ability, they help to reduce the amount of water in the concrete and to improve the strength and durability of concretes.
ADVANTAGES OF SUPERPLASTICIZER:
1. Superplasticizers reduces the water content.
2. It reduces the cement content.
3. Also, increases the workability of concrete.
4. It reduces the permeability of concrete.
5. They are easy to placement.
6. Increased long terms.
7. It develops the early strength.
DISADVANTAGES OF SUPERPLASTICIZER:
1. Slump loss are greater than conventional concrete.
2. Addition cost for admixture.
3. They increase air entrainment in concrete.
USES OF SUPERPLASTICIZER:
- Superplasticizers disperses cement provides plastics with higher initial strength than free concrete with the same W/C ratio.
- Set retards are adductors that cause delays in the setting time of wet concrete mixes.
- Air entrances are added to solid forms millions of small non-coalescing air bubbles, thus formed are deliberate ones are called perforated air.