Performance Change in Superplasticizers after Thermal Stimulation

Polycarboxylic acid-based superplasticizers are used for all types of concrete, but it is not well known that their fundamental performance changes with heating. Previous research confirmed that the superplasticizer storage environment changes its physical properties, which in turn changes the fluidity and workability of concrete or mortar. Therefore, this study confirmed the thermal stimulation effect on polycarboxylic acid-based and other superplasticizers and also confirmed the mechanism of polymer “entanglement” using superplasticizers that were centrifuged to simulate long-term storage. Based on the results, it was confirmed that the change in physical properties due to the change in environmental temperature is specific to polycarboxylic acid-based superplasticizers. It was also confirmed that centrifugal treatment of the superplasticizer slightly decreased its performance but increased the effect of thermal stimulation.