Plasticizer concrete - characteristics and types
Thanks to the development of building technologies, the quality of such a demanded material as concrete has significantly improved. The solution is used in the construction of buildings and structures for various purposes. In this case, we will talk about special additives that help to improve its quality by an order of magnitude.

Why is it so important
The climatic conditions under which construction is carried out can vary greatly, respectively, the technology of work is also changing. Until recently, it was almost impossible to choose one or another brand of material ideally suited to specific conditions.
But today this situation has changed. For the solution in appropriate climatic conditions, plasticizers are used - additives to concrete. They do not allow the development of unnecessary processes in the mixture during pouring and freezing.

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Special features
What is the peculiarity of the plasticizer and what is it for? Any professional builder is able to answer this question.
Earlier, in order to improve the properties of concrete, they used various means, in particular, they added proteins of chicken eggs or slaked lime with their own hands. This made it more plastic, increased adhesion with other materials.
Everything changed when plasticizers began to be widely introduced into concrete, substances giving the finished solution several specific properties.
Thanks to him, he began to possess:
- increased turnover;
- frost resistance;
- hydrophobicity;
- better durability.
Tip: with this solution you can work even under water.
Technology
When pouring formwork, it must be remembered that there should be no shells and voids in the concrete solution - they reduce the strength of the product. To avoid these undesirable phenomena, you need the highest quality material.
Therefore, in such cases, plasticizers are used. The solution with them has a high fluidity, while the amount of water and cement does not change. When making such a concrete mix, the filler is better wetted, which helps save on cement, while its initial mobility and strength remain at the same level.
Tip: if you experience difficulties with drilling concrete products, diamond drilling of holes in concrete with the necessary diameter bits will help you.

Benefits
Pрименение пластификатора в бетоне имеет следующие плюсы:
- the fluidity of the mixture increases;
- properties such as durability and strength remain the same, the percentage of water and cement does not change;
- concrete with plasticizer becomes stronger by more than 20%;
- water consumption decreases, cement consumption remains unchanged, the mobility of the solution does not change;
- the resulting mixture has a high frost resistance, water resistance, is not afraid of the development of corrosive processes;
- cement consumption is reduced by a quarter, thereby reducing the cost of work;
- energy costs, time for heat and moisture treatment of concrete, its vibration (in some cases, this procedure can be waived altogether) are reduced.

Kinds of plasticizers
They can be divided into several groups:
Superplasticizers | С их помощью подвижность бетонного раствора, его прочность и водонепроницаемость увеличиваются, а расход цемента уменьшается, прочность же от этого не страдает. Данный вид добавок используется при изготовлении раствора в жаркое время года и в тех случаях, когда предстоит длительная транспортировка смеси. Pодробная инструкция по применению обязательно есть на упаковке. |
Boosters | Increases the brand strength of concrete, this property of the material is gaining faster several times. |
Modifiers | Used in concrete, which includes cement brand 500, make a solution, the strength of which belongs to the B80 class. This material has a lower permeability, it is more resistant to the formation of corrosion, durable, not afraid of frost. They retain the mobility of the mixture. |
Plasticizers with a frost-resistant effect | Solution with this type of additives can be used at temperatures up to -25 ° C. |
Self-sealing additives бетонного раствора | Used for effective concreting of thin-walled densely reinforced structures. |

Using the above additives can significantly improve the quality of the mixture. The purpose of plasticizers is to reduce the water content in the solution, to make the work of the masters easier when laying it. The mixture acquires a special plasticity, so the quality of the finished structures is greatly improved, which saves money and time.
Pрименение
- Plighteners - the ideal solution for large buildings. The solution with such additives does not lump together and does not stick to the walls of the concrete mixer. The mixture becomes homogeneous, slowly setting. Such a solution can be delivered to the destination in excellent condition.
- Many builders, professionals and amateurs use plasticizers in the construction of various objects.. They have long been convinced that such a concrete solution becomes waterproof, it becomes more durable.

- These plasticizers are used in the manufacture of precast concrete, monolithic structures made of concrete (compressive strength or equal to or greater than the strength of concrete class B15), in the production of structures of fine-grained concrete, lightweight concrete, densely reinforced structures with thin walls and complex configuration.
Conclusion
The use of plasticizers for concrete will give a special strength, reliability to erected buildings, make them better and more durable. This article examined their types and use in the construction process.
The video in this article will help you find additional information on this topic.