Effect of high amounts of superabsorbent polymers and additional water on the workability, microstructure and strength of mortars with a water-to-cement ratio of 0.50

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are particles which can take up a significant amount of fluid. In this paper workability, microstructure and strength properties were compared for mixtures with(out) SAPs and with(out) additional water. SAP particles reduce the flow, cause a densification of the matrix due to internal curing and also reduce the strength due to macro-pore formation. These characteristics need to be taken into account when using high amounts of SAPs in a mixture. The microstructure of mixtures with SAPs and additional water tends towards the one of the reference mixture without SAPs. The strength upon water addition, however, decreases slightly.