The Influence of Chemical Admixtures on the Fluidity,Viscosity and Rheological Properties of Ultra-High Performance Concrete

To achieve higher strength and better durability,ultra-high performance concrete(UHPC)typically employs a relatively small water-binder ratio.However,this generally leads to an undesired increase in the paste viscosity.In this study,the effects of liquid and powder polycarboxylate superplasticizers(PCE)on UHPC are compared and critically discussed.Moreover,the following influential factors are considered:air-entraining agents(AE),slump retaining agents(SA),and defoaming agents(DF)and the resulting flow characteristics,mechanical properties,and hydration properties are evaluated assuming UHPC containing 8‰powder PCE(PCE-based UHPC).It is found that the spread diameter of powder PCE is 5%higher than that of liquid PCE.Among the chemical admixtures studied,AEs have the best effect on improving UHPC workability,while DFs have the worst effect.When the addition of AE and SA is 1.25‰and 14.7%of PCE,paste viscosity reduces by 35%and 19%,respectively compared to the paste with only 8‰PCE.A low AE dosage(1.25‰)decreases compressive strength by 4.1%,while SA(8.1%)increases UHPC compressive strength by 9.1%.Both AE and SA significantly delay the UHPC hydration process,reducing the hydration heat release peaks by 76%and 27%,respectively.

Superplasticized vs. Conventional Concrete: A Comparative Review

The global awareness and utilization of superplasticizers (SPs) in concrete have significantly contributed to developing resilient and sustainable infrastructure. Despite this, many developing nations face limited adoption of SPs in construction practices due to a lack of knowledge. This study provides a concise overview of concrete’s mechanical and durability properties, comparing formulations with and without superplasticizers. The focus is on compressive and flexural strengths, modulus of elasticity, water sorptivity, and chloride penetration. The results underscore the considerable improvement in both mechanical and durability properties when SPs are incorporated. The study recommends the widespread use of SPs, particularly in developing countries, to enhance the longevity of concrete structures.

Influence of High-Robustness Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer on the Performances of Concrete Incorporating Fly Ash and Manufactured Sand

Using ethylene glycol monovinyl polyoxyethylene ether,2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid(AMPS)and acrylic acid as the main synthetic monomers,a high robustness polycarboxylate superplasticizer was prepared.The effects of initial temperature,ratio of acid to ether,amount of chain transfer agent,and synthesis process on the properties of the superplasticizer were studied.The molecular structure was characterized by GPC(Gel Permeation Chromatography)and IR(Infrared Spectrometer).As shown by the results,when the initial reaction temperature is 15℃,the ratio of acid to ether is 3.4:1 and the acrylic acid pre-neutralization is 15%,The AMPS substitution is 10%,the amount of chain transfer agent is 8%,and the performance of the synthesized superplasticizer is the best.Compared with commercially available ordinary polycarboxylate superplasticizer in C30 concrete prepared with manufactured sand and fly ash,the bleeding rate decreases by 52%,T50 decreases by 1.2 s,and the slump time decreases by 1.1 s.In C60 concrete prepared with fly ash and river sand,the bleeding rate decreases by 46%,T50 decreases by 0.8 s,and the slump time decreases by 3.2 s.

Study on the Hydration and Physical Properties of Cement by M18 Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer Modified Graphene Oxide

Graphene oxide(GO)as a new nano-enhancer in cement-based materials has gained wide attention.However,GO is easy to aggregate in alkaline cement mortar with poor dispersibility.This hinders its application in practical infrastructure construction.In this work,GO-M18 polycarboxylate compound superplasticizer(GM)were obtained by compounding the M18 polycarboxylate superplasticizer with GO solution at different mass ratios.The dispersion of GM in alkaline solution was systematically studied.The phases and functional groups of GM were characterized by XRD and FTIR.The effects of GM on the cement mortar hydration and the formation of microstructure were investigated by measuring the heat of hydration,MIP,TG/DSC,and SEM.The results show that the long-chain structure of the M18 polycarboxylate superplasticizer can increase the interlayer spacing of GO and weaken the force between GO sheets.The modified GO can be uniformly dispersed in the cement slurry.GM can accelerate the early hydration process of cement,which can increase the content of Ca(OH)2 and decrease the grain size.It can optimize the pore size distribution of cement-based materials,increase the density of harmless and less harmful pores,thereby improving mechanical properties.Such methods can transform traditional cement-based materials into stronger,more durable composites,which prolong the life of cement-based materials and reduce the amount of cement used for later maintenance.This provides an idea for achieving sustainability goals in civil engineering.

Achieving high-strain-rate and low-temperature superplasticity in an ECAP-processed Mg-Y-Er-Zn alloy via Ag addition

The effect of adding a small amount of Ag on the microstructure evolution and superplastic properties of Mg-Y-Er-Zn(WEZ612) alloys was systematically studied.The basal texture of the refined WEZ612 alloy produced by equal channel angular pressing was altered to a non-basal structure upon the addition of Ag.Ag addition also refined the grain size and promoted the formation of a large number of nano-14H-long period stacking ordered phases.Using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy,many nano-precipitated phases were detected on the basal plane of the Mg-Y-Er-Zn-1Ag(WEZ612-1Ag) alloy,The nano-precipitated phases on the basal plane improved the thermal stability of the alloy,lowered the deformation activation energy(Q),and improved the stress sensitivity index(m).At 523 K with a strain rate of 10^(-2) s^(-1),the Q value of WEZ612 was higher than that of WEZ612-1Ag(299.14 and 128.5 kJ mol^(-1),respectively).In contrast,the m value of the WEZ612 alloy(0.16) was lower than that of the WEZ612-1Ag alloy(0.46).At 623 K with a tensile rate of 10^(-2) s^(-1),the WEZ612 and WEZ612-1Ag alloys were elongated by 182% and 495%,respectively,with the latter exhibiting high-strain-rate and low-temperature superplasticity.The improved superplasticity of the WEZ612-1Ag alloy is attributed to the nano-precipitated phases,which effectively limit the cavity extension during superplastic deformation.

Influence of superplasticizers on the early-age crack resistance of concrete

In order to improve the early-age cracking resistance of concrete, different types of superplasticizers are used. Two types of polycarboxlic salt/acid superplasticizers and one retarding naphthalene superplasticizer are selected to investigate the influence of superplasticizers on the early-age cracking resistance of the concrete by using the slab test and the temperature-stress test. The results show that the polycarboxlic salt/acid superplasticizer cannot always improve the cracking resistance capacity of the concrete compared with the naphthalene superplasticizer, which is related to the chemical structure of the polycarboxlic salt/acid superplasticizer. High plastic tensile strength and dynamic elastic modulus at the early stage are beneficial to avoid cracking, and low hydration heat is also helpful. The evolutions of the drying shrilakage stress and the hydration heat temperature stress varying with time can be comprehensively evaluated by means of the slab test and the temperature stress test.

Microstructure and texture evolution during high-strain-rate superplastic deformation of coarse-grained Mg-Gd-Y-Zr rolled sheet

Microstructure and texture evolution during high-strain-rate superplastic deformation of the rolled Mg-Gd-Y-Zr sheet were investigated.The tensile tests at the strain rate of 0.01 s-1 achieved the elongations of 180%-266% in the deformation temperature range of 400-500 ℃.Post-deforming microstructures were characterized by optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy,while crystallographic orientation information was obtained from macro-texture analysis.The results show that the high strain-rate superplasticity was attributed to class-I dislocation creep accommodated by dynamic recrystallization （DRX）.During preheating at 435 ℃ for 600 s,twinning-induced recrystallization occurred.The initial strain of 80% made original grains fragmented and produced homogenous DRX grains.The interaction between dynamic recrystallization and dynamic precipitation yielded out such a phenomenon that finer DRX grains were often accompanied by denser particles.The macro-texture evolution exhibited some characteristics of the crystal rotation arising from basal slip and prismatic slip despite the occurrence of DRX.

DETERMINATION OF PRESSURIZING CURVE AND COMPUTER CONTROL OF THICKNESS THINNING FOR SUPERPLASTIC BULGING

This paper proposes the assumption that the flow with viscous friction is the stretch of part of the sheet that lies along the walls of a die during the process of superplastic bulging according to superplastic flow equation and geometrical model of bulging of a sheet into a long trapezoid groove or truncated cone, by introducing the friction-factor P which describes the friction effect on the process. Also, the paper proposes the method of controlling thickness nonuniformity and develops the equipment which for uniform thickness of bulging, is automatically controlled with a computerl it also analyzes the important innuence of lubrication on thickness distribution of bulging materials. By the assumption, the relationship between bulging pressure and time is obtained in bulging of a sheet into the groove and cone, and p-t curve of multi-mould-cavity complicated bulging is discussed based on the analysis of single-mould-cavity bulging characteristics.

DETERMINATION OF MATERIAL PARAMETERS FOR COMPUTER SIMULATION OF SUPERPLASTIC FORMING PROCESSES

In order to analyze and simulate the complex super-plastic forming process by computer, a method of equal height bulging for determining material parameters m and K of the superplastic alloy is presented. The formulae related to the method are deduced in this paper. The accuracy of the method is available for evaluating the examples used in simulating the superplastic sheet-metal bulging processes.

Flow stress behavior and processing map of extruded 7075Al/SiC particle reinforced composite prepared by spray deposition during hot compression

Hot compression tests of the extruded 7075Al/15%SiC (volume fraction) particle reinforced composite prepared by spray deposition were performed on Gleeble?1500 system in the temperature range of 300?450 °C and strain rate range of 0.001?1 s?1. The results indicate that the true stress?true strain curve almost exhibits rapid flow softening phenomenon without an obvious work hardening, and the stress decreases with increasing temperature and decreasing strain rate. Moreover, the stress levels are higher at temperature below 400 °C but lower at 450 °C compared with the spray deposited 7075Al alloy. Superplastic deformation characteristics are found at temperature of 450 °C and strain rate range of 0.001?0.1 s?1 with corresponding strain rate sensitivity of 0.72. The optimum parameters of hot working are determined to be temperature of 430?450 °C and strain rate of 0.001?0.05 s?1 based on processing map and optical microstructural observation.

Effect of Competitive Adsorption between Sodium Tripolyphosphate and Naphthalene Superplasticizer on Fluidity of Cement Paste

The adsorption amount, ξ-potential of cement particles and fluidity of cement paste were tested to research the competitive adsorption between naphthalene superplasticizer （FDN） and STPP. The experimental results showed that the presence of STPP could significantly improve the fluidity of cement paste and reduce the fluidity loss with FDN. There existed a competitive adsorption between STPP and FDN. STPP and calcium ions formed complexes; they preferentially adsorbed onto surface of cement particles and preempt adsorption points of FDN; and it reduced adsorption amount of FDN. In the absence of STPP, saturation adsorption amount of FDN was 5.93 mg/g; but when the dosage of STPP was 0.1%, it reduced to 4.3 mg/g （about 72.5%）. The adsorption amount of FDN was reduced by STPP, but ξ-potential of cement particles enhanced and fluidity of cement paste increased because of strong negative charge effect of the complexes. Adsorption of the complexes would delay Ca^2＋ into liquid and inhibit formation of active adsorption points. Then, content of FDN in liquid increased with the addition of STPP and ξ-potential of cement particles became stable. In this way, fluidity loss of cement paste reduced.

Hyperbolic Method to Analyze the Electrical Resistivity Curve of Portland Cements with Superplasticizer

Electrical measurement was employed to investigate the early hydration characteristics of cement pastes with different dosages of superplasticizer in the same W/C ratio. The hyperbolic method was applied to analyze the electrical resistivity development. The peak point （Ph） on the hyperbolic curve could be easily read. The time （th） to reach the point Ph had strong relations with the setting time. th was delayed with the increment of the dosage of superplasticizer. The time th was used to plot the relationship between the initial setting time and final setting time. The hyperbolic equation was established to predict the ultimate resistivity. The retardation effect of the superplasticizer was confirmed in the same W/C ratio by setting time and isothermal heat evolution.

Synthesis and Properties of an AMPS-Modified Polyacrylic Acid Superplasticizer

A 2-acrylamide-2-methyl propylene sodium sulfonic （AMPS）-modified polyacrylic acid superplasticizer was synthesized using aqueous solution polymerization with the major monomers including the self-made active macromers polyethylene glycol mono-methyl ether acrylate acrylic （MPEGAA）, acrylic acid （AA）, AMPS, and sodium methyl allyl sulfonate （SMAS）. The ratios of the monomers were determined using an orthogonal experiment. This research focused on the effects of the dosages of different macromers, the polymerization conditions, and the length of MPEGAA side chains on the properties of the AMPS-modified polyacrylic acid super-plasticizer. The best polymerization conditions of the AMPS-modified polyacrylic acid superplasticizer are when （n（MPEGAA）：n（SMAS）：n（AMPS）：n（AA） equals 0.1：0.1：0.2：0.65, the molecular weight of monomethoxypolyethylene glycol is 1 200, the initiator ammonium persulfate accounts for 5% of the total mass of the polymerized monomers, the polymerization temperature is 80 ~C, and the reaction time is 4 h. The AMPS-modified polyacrylic acid superplasticizer synthesized in the best conditions exhibited excellent dispersivity and dispersion retainability. When the dosage ratio was 0.24%, the initial fluidity was 400 mm and the fluidity had nearly no loss after 1 h.

Synthesis of a Macromer, MPEGAA, Used to Prepare an AMPS-modified Polyacrylic Acid Superplasticizer

A macromer, methoxypolyethylene glycol acrylate （MPEGAA）, was synthesized by direct esterification using methoxypolyethylene glycol （MPEG-1200） and acrylic acid （AA） as the main materials. MPEGAA was then used to prepare a polyacrylic acid superplasticizer modified with 2-acrylamido-2- methylpropane sulfonic acid （AMPS）. A single-factor test was performed to investigate the effects of the molar ratio of acid to alcohol （n（AA）/n（MPEG））, inhibitor amount, catalyst amount, temperature, and time of esterification on the synthesis of MPEGAA. The experimental results showed that the optimal esterification conditions were as follows： n（AA）/n（MPEG）, 3.5：1; amount of hydroquinone （as an inhibitor）, 1.2%; amount of para-toluenesulfonic acid （as a catalyst）, 5.5%; reaction temperature, 95 ~C; and reaction time, 6 h. The AMPS- modified polyacrylic acid superplasticizer prepared under the optimal esterification conditions enabled the achievement and maintenance of high cement dispersibility. At an admixture amount of 0.15%, the cement paste fluidity was initially as high as 300 mm, and then decreased to 315 mm after 1 h and to 290 mm after 2 h.

Superplastic forming characteristics of AZ41 magnesium alloy

An AZ41 magnesium alloy in the hot-rolled condition without further thermomechanical processing to modify its microstructure was investigated to establish its suitability for use within a superplastic forming process and to establish optimum forming parameters.Formability was assessed using elevated temperature tensile testing and hot gas bulging,across a range of strain rates(1×10^(−1)−1×10^(−3)s^(−1))and temperatures(350−450℃).Circle grid analysis with GOM Aramis cameras was used to understand peak strains and material thinning in relation to industrial forming processes.Post forming EBSD and STEM analysis was conducted to understand the mechanisms responsible for the materials formability,with dynamic recrystallization being clearly evident.Peak elongation of 520%was achieved at 450℃ and 1×10^(−3)s^(−1);industrially relevant elongation was achieved at 1×10^(−2) s^(−1) at both 450℃(195%)and 400℃(170%).

Effect of superplastic deformation on the bonding property of 00Cr25Ni7Mo3N duplex stainless steel

The superplastic deformation diffusion bonding of 00Cr25Ni7Mo3N duplex stainless steel was performed on a hot simulator. The microstructure of the bonding interface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and electron backscatter diffraction （EBSD）. The mechanical properties of the specimen were investigated by a shear strength test. The results indicated that the shear strength was improved with the increase of superplastic deformation reduction. When the deformation reduction was up to 50%, the shear strength of the specimen achieved 417 Mpa, approaching to that of the base metal. In addtion, the superplastic diffusion bonding technique was not very sensitive to surface roughness levels. When the surface roughness of the bonding specimen surpassed 0.416 pan （level G2）, the shear strength achieved at least 381 MPa.

MICROSTRUCTURAL EVOLUTION AND MECHANISMS OF SUPERPLASTICITY IN LARGE GRAINED IRON ALUMINIDES

The superplastic behavior has been found in Fe 3Al and FeAl alloys with grain sizes of 100～600 μm. The large grained Fe 3Al and FeAl alloys exhibit all deformation characteristics of conventional fine grain size superplastic alloys. However, superplastic behavior was found in large grained iron aluminides without the usual prerequisites for the superplasticity of a fine grain size and grain boundary sliding. The metallographic examinations have shown that average grain size of large grained iron aluminides decreased during superplastic deformation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations have shown that there were a great number of subgrain boundaries which formed a network and among which the proportion of low and high angle boundaries increased with the increase of strain. The observed superplastic phenomenon is explained by continuous recovery and recrystallization. During superplastic deformation, an unstable subgrain network forms and these subboundaries absorb gliding dislocations and transform into low and high angle grain boundaries. A dislocation gliding and climb process accommodated by subboundary sliding, migration and rotation, allows the superplastic flow to proceed.

Effects of Molecular Structure of Polycarboxylate-type Superplasticizer on the Hydration Properties of C_3S

Effects of polycarboxylate-type superplasticizer（PC） molecular structure on the hydration heat of tricalcium silicate（C3S） paste and polymerization degree of hydration products（C-S-H gel） were researched by using TAM AIR isothermal microcalorimetry（TA） and 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance（NMR）.Methoxy polyethylene glycol-methacrylates-based polycarboxylate superplasticizers with different side chain lengths and main chain lengths were employed.PC molecules with shorter main chain or longer side chains caused stronger retardation of C3S early hydration and lesser increase of C3S 3 d hydration degree.NMR measurement indicated that the incorporation of PC increased the hydration degree of C3S paste and the polymerization degree of silicon-oxygen tetrahedron of C-S-H gel.The tendency for C3S 7 d hydration degree to improve was more pronounced while PC molecules with longer main chain or shorter side chain were added.Whereas,PC molecules with longer main chains or longer side chains increased the 7 d polymerization degree of C-S-H gel.

The Synthesis Technique of Polyacrylic Acid Superplasticizer

Using water separation technique,acrylic acid （AA） and polyethylene glycol （PEG） 1000,of which the ratio was 1.5,were esterified and the optimum esterification ratio of 90% could be reached under the condition of 110 ℃×3 h.Using polyoxyethylene acrylate macromonomer （PA） prepared in the esterification,AA and sodium methylacryl sulfonate （MAS） as monomers,a copolymer which could be used as superplasticizer was prepared by free radical coolymerization in n（PA）：n（AA）：n（MAS） of 1：7：3.When the synthesis condition was 80 ℃× 5 h,the optimal dosage of initiator was 3.0%-4.0%,the fluidity of cement paste with the samples could reach 270 mm.By analyzing the effect of the content of residual small molecule sulfonic monomer on the properties of sample,n（MAS）/n（PA） was controlled in a range of 2.5-3.8.

Coupled effect of viscosity enhancing admixtures and superplasticizers on rheological behavior of cement paste

The coupled effect of viscosity enhancing admixtures(VEA)and superplasticizer(SP)on the rheological behavior of cement paste was investigated in this work.Two types of VEAs,including hydroxypropyl methylcellulose(HPMC)and Welan gum,and two types of SPs,i.e.polycarboxylate(PCA)and polynaphthalenesulfonate(PNS)were used as admixtures for cement paste.Rheological curves of cement paste and simulated pore solution containing VEA and SP were tested.Simulated pore solution test results show that molecules of different SPs may generate different effects on the viscosity of VEA solutions.Hershel-Bulkley(H-B)model was used to fit rheological curve of cement paste.Strong interaction between PNS and HPMC was observed in this work.