Super plasticizers are one of the most important chemical admixtures in the concrete industry, due to their wide application and high demand. They have a major impact on the cost of concrete, mainly due to their high production volume. They are based on advanced polymer technology and their production process usually involves a radical polymerization of para-toluenesulfonic acid with sodium sulfonate methacrylate. These polymer chains have many branched structures, which give the superplasticizers a very strong water-reduction effect. The production costs of these chemicals are continuously decreasing, but they are still relatively high compared to other common chemical admixtures.

In this study, a new type of polycarboxylate superplasticizer was prepared and its properties were tested. This new type has good dispersibility to cement particles, and its optimum dosage gives a great water-reducing effect with low slump loss. The influence of the different factors such as curing time, binder type, and solid content on the superplasticizer effect was also studied.

A concrete mixture is a mixture of various ingredients such as water, cement, aggregates, and chemical additives like retarders and superplasticizers. These additives reduce the amount of water in concrete, which allows the mixture to flow more easily. This makes it easier to pour and work by hand, and saves mechanical energy. Water reducing agents also prevent the concrete from seizing up after being mixed and help it set faster. They are available in liquid form and can be added to the concrete at any stage during mixing.