Particle interaction potential parameters and effect of copolymer superplasticizer in cement paste: an overview

Abstract

The rheological properties of fresh cement-based materials determine their applicability for various types of use such as extrusion, 3D printing, self-compacting (SCC) placement, spraying, pumping, etc. Proper control of rheological properties is usually obtained through the content and composition of aggregates and fillers, binder powders, and water content as well as the use of chemical additives such as water reducers and viscosity modifying agents (VMAs). The role of superplasticizers containing graft copolymers on the rheology of cement-based materials can be explicitly elucidated by their dispersing stability effect. Additionally, such superplasticizers could change the interaction between cement particles regarded as one of the influential factors for the rheology of fresh cement paste. Accordingly, the steric hindrance is likely to be the dominant interaction of the different types of potential energy. Thus, in this paper, particle interaction without copolymer (van der Waals attraction) and with copolymer (steric repulsive force) and its influencing factors are briefly quantified and discussed, aiming to boost the current understanding of cement paste rheological behaviour.

Particle interaction potential parameters and effect of copolymer superplasticizer in cement paste: an overview