concrete plasticizers products are a class of chemical admixtures that are added to concrete to achieve the desired workability. They increase the water-to-cement ratio of a concrete mix by decreasing the viscosity of the mixture. These admixtures are available in different types and grades for use in various temperatures and climates. They are also used in conjunction with pozzolanic ash to reduce the water content of the concrete.

Most of the concrete plasticizers are soluble in water. Some are soluble in hot water while others are not. They are available in a variety of formulations, each for a specific purpose such as increasing workability in certain applications, improving the quality of concrete and providing other benefits such as corrosion inhibition and retarding.

The concrete plasticizers that are soluble in hot water are referred to as high range water reducers (HRWR). These can reduce the water content of mass concrete by up to 15% at constant workability.

Lignosulphonic acid plasticizers are examples of low range water reducing admixtures. They have been around for over fifty years and continue to be used in a wide range of construction projects.

Concrete requires a high degree of workability to be formed and compacted. The admixtures that improve the workability of the concrete are air-entraining, water-reducing and superplasticizers. The admixtures that improve the concrete properties other than workability are called specialty admixtures and include such items as corrosion inhibitors, shrinkage reducers, alkali-silica reactivity reduction and accelerators.