Zeta potential and rheology of cement pastes - influence of superplasticizers and of granulated blastfurnace slag and limestone.

The influence of four PCE-based superplasticizers (synthesized selectively in the laboratory) on the shear resistance, especially at the saturation point, of cement pastes was investigated at the FIZ (Research Institute of the Cement Industry) using two commercially available cements. The intention was to clarify whether, and possibly from which parameters of the molecular structure of the PCE (polycarboxylate ether), it is possible to deduce a general mode of operation in conjunction with different cements. Rheological investigations of the shear resistance, especially at the saturation point, were compared with zeta potential measurements. The influence of two limestones and two granulated blastfurnace slags on the zeta potential and the shear resistance of laboratory cements produced with them, as well as on the adsorption of a commercially available PCE, was also examined. For the cements investigated the PCEs with high charge densities were relatively independent of the lengths of the side and main chains with respect to reaching the saturation point most effectively. The duration of the plasticizing action on the saturation point did not always correlate with the lengths of the side chains. The shear resistance fell with increasing quantity of active substance and the zeta potential was displaced in the direction of the isoelectric point (0 mV) due to the displacement of the shear plane caused by adsorption of the PCE. There was a correlation between the quantity of active substance adsorbed, the zeta potential and the shear resistance. The saturation point was determined both with the aid of rheological measurements of the shear resistance and by determining the zeta potential. The limestones and granulated blastfurnace slags investigated were able to adsorb sulfate ions from the pore solution, resulting in a negative zeta potential. Competitive adsorption between sulfate ions and plasticizer molecules is therefore also to be expected with these components. Increasing the proportion of granulated blastfurnace slag led to a significant drop in the shear resistance of the cement pastes and displacement of the zeta potential in the direction of the isoelectric point. The limestones used affected the shear resistance and the zeta potential of the cement paste to different extents and more significantly than the granulated blastfurnace slags investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]