Water Reducing Admixtures

Water reducing admixture is a chemical admixture added during the concrete mixing process. Its main function is to improve the workability of concrete, that is, to significantly reduce the amount of water while ensuring good workability of concrete, thereby improving the strength, durability and economy of concrete. The use of water reducer is of great significance for improving the technical performance of concrete, saving cement, reducing costs, and improving construction conditions.

The chemical composition of concrete water reducing agents mainly includes surfactants and other additives. Surfactants are the main active ingredients of water reducers. They adsorb on the surface of cement particles to reduce the surface tension between cement particles, thereby reducing the friction between cement particles and making concrete easier to mix and flow. In addition, some special additives can further improve the hardening performance and durability of concrete.

Classification and Characteristics

Concrete water reducing admixture can be divided into the following categories according to their chemical composition and mechanism of action:

  • Ordinary water reducers. Suitable for general projects, with good water reduction effect and certain strengthening effect.
  • High-efficiency superplasticizers. The water reduction effect is significant, which can greatly improve the strength and durability of concrete, and is suitable for projects with high requirements for concrete performance.
  • Retarding water reducer. While maintaining the water reduction effect, it has a retarding effect, suitable for large-volume concrete and high-temperature construction in summer.
  • Air-entraining water reducer. While reducing water, it can introduce an appropriate amount of tiny bubbles to improve the frost resistance and durability of concrete.

Various Types of Water Reducing Admixtures

As a kind of ordinary water reducing agent, the main performance indicators of sodium lignosulphonate include water reduction rate, strengthening effect, improved workability, etc. Generally speaking, the water reduction rate of sodium lignin sulfonate water reducer can reach 9-11%, which can significantly improve the compressive strength and flexural strength of concrete, and at the same time improve the working performance of concrete, such as fluidity and pumpability.

What is more, sodium lignin sulfonate water reducer has good compounding ability and can be mixed with a variety of concrete admixtures such as air entraining agents, retarders, etc. to meet the requirements of concrete performance in different projects.

ItemsSodium Lignosulfonate
AppearanceYellow Brown Powder
Dry Matter %92 min
Lignosulphonate %60 min
Moisture %7 max
Water insoluble matter %0.5 max
Sulphate (as Na2SO4) %4 max
PH Value7.5-10.5
Content of Ca and Mg %0.4 max
Total reducing matter %4 max
Content of Fe %0.1 max
PackingNet 25kg PP bags; 550kg jumbo bags;

Calcium lignosulphonate water reducer is a concrete admixture made of calcium lignin sulfonate as the main raw material. This water reducer improves the fluidity and working performance of concrete and reduces the amount of water used in concrete, thereby achieving the purpose of improving the strength and durability of concrete.

The Calcium lignosulfonate water reducer not only has excellent water reduction effect (the water reduction rate is usually between 10% and 20%), but also has many advantages such as environmental protection and economy. It is one of the indispensable materials in modern concrete engineering.

Index itemsStandard valueTest Results
AppearanceBrown powderMeets the requirement
Moisture≤5.0%3.2
PH value8–108.2
Dry matter≥92%95
lignosulphonate≥50%56
Inorganic salts(Na2SO4≤5.0%2.3
Total reducing matter≤6.0%4.7
Water insoluble matter≤4.0%3.67
Calcium magnesium general quantity≤1.0%0.78

As a high-performance concrete admixture, the remarkable features of naphthalene based superplasticizer are its high water reduction capacity and significant improvement in concrete performance. Compared with traditional water reducers, SNF superplasticizer has a higher water reduction rate, usually reaching more than 15%, which is of great significance for improving the strength of concrete, reducing production costs and enhancing durability.

SNF superplasticizer is widely used in various concrete projects, such as high-rise buildings, bridges, tunnels, water conservancy projects, etc. It is suitable for concrete with different strength grades, different use environments and different construction requirements. It has broad application prospects in precast concrete, high-performance concrete and other fields.

TypeSNF-ASNF-BSNF-C
Solid Content (%) ≥929292
PH Value7-97-97-9
Na2SO4 Content (%)≤51018
Chlorine Content (%)≤0.30.40.5
Net Starch Fluidity(mm)≥250240230
Max Water Reducing Rate(%)262523
Packing of SNF Superplasticizer25kg pp bag; 650kg Jumbo bag. Customized package available.

As a new generation of high-efficiency concrete water reducer, Kingsun polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PCE) has a high water reduction rate with a low dosage. Its water reduction rate can be as high as 45%. It is often used to prepare high-strength and high-performance concrete. The concrete prepared with polycarboxylate ether has good performance. Even under the condition of a high slump, there will be no obvious segregation and bleeding phenomenon in concrete.

ItemsPolycarboxylate Superplasticizer
PCE (High Water Reduction)PCE (High Slump Retention)PCE Powder
AppearanceLight Yellow LiquidClear Transparent LiquidWhite Powder
Solid Content, %50±1.050±1.098±1.0
Density (23℃) (kg/m3)1.13±0.021.05-1.10600±50
PH6.5-8.56.5-8.59.0±1.0
Chloride Content,% ≤0.10.10.1
Na2SO4 (by solid content), % ≤4.04.04.0
SolubilityCompletely Soluble
Water reducing ratio, % ≥25
Packing of PCE Based SuperplasticizerFor PCE liquid, the packing is 230kg PE drum, 1100kg IBC tank or flexitank. For PCE Powder, the packing is 25 kg PP woven bags.

Main Functions of Concrete Water Reducers

  • Improve fluidity. They make concrete easier to mix, transport and pour by reducing the friction between cement particles and the bonding force released during cement hydration reaction. This effect of improving fluidity can improve construction efficiency, shorten construction period and reduce labor intensity.
  • Improve strength. At the same water consumption, concrete water reducing admixtures can improve the compressive strength and flexural strength of concrete. Water reducer reduces the friction between cement particles, making cement particles more evenly dispersed between aggregates to form a tighter stacking structure. This structure enables concrete to form more hydration products during the hardening process, thereby improving the strength of concrete.
  • Enhance durability. These water reducing admixtures reduce the porosity and permeability of concrete, reduces the penetration of water and harmful substances, and thus prevents concrete from deteriorating due to erosion by water, salt, chemicals, etc. In addition, water reducer can also improve the frost resistance and carbonization resistance of concrete, further extending the service life of concrete.
  • Reduce shrinkage and expansion. During the hardening process of concrete, concrete will shrink and expand to a certain extent due to reasons such as water evaporation and temperature changes. The water reducing agents can reduce the free water content in concrete by reducing the amount of cement and water used, thereby reducing the shrinkage and expansion of concrete. This helps to maintain the dimensional stability of concrete and prevent quality problems such as cracking.
  • Save cement. By reducing the amount of water, concrete water reducers can reduce the amount of cement used in concrete while achieving the same working performance. This not only reduces the cost of concrete, but also helps to reduce the exploitation and consumption of natural resources and achieve the goal of energy conservation and emission reduction.
  • Maintain working performance. During the mixing, transportation and pouring of concrete, water reducers can maintain the workability and fluidity of concrete and prevent segregation and bleeding of concrete. This effect of maintaining working performance helps to improve the uniformity and stability of concrete and ensure the quality of concrete.
  • Reduce temperature. During high temperature construction in summer, concrete will undergo rapid hydration reaction due to the increase in temperature, resulting in an increase in the internal temperature of concrete, which affects the strength and durability of concrete. Concrete water reducers slow down the hydration reaction rate, reduce the internal temperature of concrete, and reduce the occurrence of problems such as temperature cracks.
  • Save resources. By reducing the amount of cement and water used, water reducing admixtures can reduce the production cost of concrete and reduce the exploitation and consumption of natural resources. In addition, water reducers can also improve the utilization rate and durability of concrete, reduce the generation and discharge of waste, and achieve sustainable use of resources.

Why Choose Kingsun Company

  • As a leading water reducing agents manufacturer & supplier in China, Kingsun company, have more than 15 years of experience in producing and exporting various types concrete admixtures, including sodium gluconate, PCE superplasticizer, SNF superplasticizer, sodium lignosulfonate, calcium lignosulfonate and other concrete additives.
  • The “Kingsun” brand has enjoyed a good reputation both at home and abroad.
  • All of our products have been exported to many countries, such as India, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Pakistan, Brazil, South Africa, Chile, Australia, Russia, Ukraine, etc. 
  • We always provide high quality products, first-class services and very competitive factory prices to all customers. Welcome to cooperate with us!

    Please leave your message for quick reply within 24 hours. Thanks!

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Your Phone (required)

    Your Country

    Your Message (required)

    advanced-floating-content-close-btnAnnouncement Dear Customers and Partners, please kindly note that we do NOT have any offices or agents outside China. Please check with our company before processing any business activities.