On the versatility of paper pulp as a viscosity modifying admixture for cement composites.

• An innovative viscosity-modifying admixture (VMA) is produced from paper pulp. • The versatility of using milled paper pulp as a VMA in cement composites is validated. • The mechanism of viscosity modifying action of milled paper pulp is elaborated. • A new parameter is proposed to quantify nonlinearity induced by VMAs. In this paper, we report the performance of paper pulp as an innovative viscosity modifying admixture (VMA) for cement composites. Two different levels of fineness were obtained by mechanical milling of the same source of paper pulp. Their effects on viscosity modification, hydration kinetics, autogenous shrinkage, and compressive strength of cement grouts were measured, and their structural integrity at high pH was assessed. A new parameter was proposed to quantify nonlinearity induced by VMAs. Results showed that the hierarchical structure of paper pulp makes it possible to activate bridging flocculation and swelling mechanisms of hydrophile paper pulp fibers at different levels to produce versatile VMAs. The coarser milled paper pulp fibers mainly influences the plastic viscosity. By contrast, the milled paper pulp consisting of ultra-fine fibers significantly modifies both plastic viscosity and dynamic yield stress, induces more nonlinearity in the mixtures, and increases compressive strength of mortars at low dosages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]