Effect of polycarboxylate ether superplasticizer (PCE) on dynamic yield stress, thixotropy and flocculation state of fresh cement pastes in consideration of the Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC)

Polycarboxylate ether surperplasticizer (PCE) has been commonly used and studied to enhance flowability of cementitious materials. However, the effect of PCE addition on thixotropy and flocculation state has not gained enough attention. In this study, Focused Beam Reflectance Measurement (FBRM)-rheometer is coupled. The coupled setup could simultaneously measure both flocculation states in terms of chord length distribution of cement particles/agglomerates and rheological properties including dynamic yield stress and thixotropy. The effect of various PCE additions is explored, firstly by measuring the adsorption of PCE surfactants and the concentration of PCE surfactants in cement pore solution. It is found that the effect of PCE addition on dynamic yield stress, thixotropy and chord length distribution of paste particles/agglomerates are all bi-fold. The turning point is the Critical Micelle Concentration in cement pore solution. Results of more agglomerated flocculation states at low PCE addition are measured for the first time and further discussed.