Concrete superplasticiser
Concrete superplasticizers (or concrete superplasticisers) play a vital role in improving the quality and reducing the cost of construction. Superplasticizers are particularly suited to the manufacture high strength concrete for construction. Ready-mix concrete, precast concrete, shotcrete and high-performance concrete are the major applicants of superplasticizers.
They are chemical admixtures that have water-reduction capabilities that range from 5.0% to 40.0% in concrete mixes. They are usually classified according to the raw material used, such as naphthalene, melamine, lignosulfonates, and polycarboxylic acids.
With investment and support from regional governments for construction, the demand for superplasticizers is about to grow aggressively.
The global concrete superplasticizers (CSP) market is expected to reach USD 4.77 Billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 8.2% between 2015 and 2020. This growth is fuelled by high demand from emerging economies and because of precieved ecological benefits.
The concrete superplasticizers market is segmented into five types:
- Sulfonated naphthalene formaldehydes (SNF).
- Sulfonated melamine formaldehydes (SMF).
- Modified lignosulfonates (MLS).
- Polycarboxylic acids (PC).
- Others.
The use of these superplasticizers increases the efficiency of their applications. Individual superplasticizers have application-specific demands that are differentiated by placement, cost, and efficiency:
- Naphthalene superplasticizers are useful in ready-mix concrete applications for the construction of buildings and bridges.
- Polycarboxylic acids are the latest and expensive superplasticizer, used in high-end constructions such as airports and government infrastructure.
Polycarboxylates are third generation superplasticizers that have revolutionised the market with their ability to reduce the water to cement ratio by 40.0% even at low dosages. Compared to other superplasticizers, polycarboxylates at a dosage rate of 0.15% to 0.3% can achieve 30.0% to 40.0% water reduction. They are also suitable in hot weather conditions and can be transported to long distances. They can be used in all applications, in particular in high-strength and self-compacting concrete applications
The Middle East & Africa and Asia-Pacific accounted for more than 72.7% of the concrete superplasticizers market in 2015
Middle East & Africa is the second largest consumer of superplasticizers, globally. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest, with major developments in China and India. The Middle East & Africa and Asia-Pacific are expected to compete with each other to dominate the market by 2020, with advanced technological developments in superplasticizers for end-users. Asia-Pacific is expected to remain the major market till 2020, with high investment in construction due to growing population.
Major players such as Arkema SA (France), BASF SE (Germany), Kao Corporation (Japan), Sika AG (Switzerland), and W.R. Grace & Co. (U.S.) have adopted development strategies such as expansion, acquisitions, and product development to achieve growth in the market.
Quality control is very important. Pre-material testing takes place at manufacturing laboratories before its used. Choosing a suitable superplasticizers is the most important task for any application.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Admixtures in concrete.
- Alkali-activated binder.
- Alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR).
- Cellular concrete.
- Cement.
- Plasticiser.
- Precast concrete.
- Prestressed concrete.
- Reinforced concrete.
- Screed.
- Self-compacting concrete.
- Shotcrete technology.
- Smart concrete.
- Topmix Permeable.
- Ultra high performance fibre concrete.
Featured articles and news
BSRIA Briefing 2024: Sustainable Futures speakers
Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living 22 Nov.
Wall of support for post-Grenfell regulation of electricians
Call for a shake-up of the construction industry highlighted on radio.
Digital sustainability through future AEC tools
Bringing together industry and academia to meet challenges.
Skills gap for net zero highlighted to Minister for Industry
ECA convenes roundtable discussion at Portcullis House.
Evidencing Net Zero with the new UK buildings standard
Pilot version with detailed excel proforma out now!
Scottish Building Safety Levy, in consultation
From direct remediation and the RPDT, to the costs and alternatives.
Waves of warmer homes grants for the rental sector
Boosting energy efficiency standards for all rented homes.
A refocus of the National Planning Policy Framework
Key terms described in brief, as the consultation closes the evening of the 24th.
Fortified farmhouses of the unruly 16th-and 17th-century borders.
ECA shares advice for those who may be exposed to risks.
How to revolutionise UK housing with MMC
CIC and Supply Chain Sustainability School unveil a plan.
From the UKs largest manufacturer and supplier of lime.
From mud bricks to smart concrete
A brief history from 7000BC to a future on the moon.
Regulator of Social Housing publishes latest fire safety report
Covering remediation of 11 metre plus social housing sector buildings.
Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024
Approved for priority drafting by Government of Ireland.
The long list with in the frame of key historical events.
Competence frameworks for sustainability in the built environment
Code of practice, core criteria consultation draft for comment.
New Floods Resilience Taskforce
With a wet met office autumn prediction.