Engineering performance of polycarboxylate based air entraining agent

To achieve high workability and high durability of high performance concrete (HPC) polycarboxylate based air entraining agent (AEA) with comb-type structures is adopted. The effects of polycarboxylate based AEA on air content, spacing factor, workability, strength, freeze and thaw durability of concrete, and its compatibility to water reducers were investigated. It is found that, when 0.006% dosage of polycarboxylate based AEA is used, the air content and spacing factor of concrete can meet the needs of high performance concrete engineering. And it has good compatibility to common types of water reducers and set-retarders. Besides entraining air to concrete, the polycarboxylate based AEA may enhance the fluidity and the slump retention ability of concrete. It can be used especially for concrete with lower ratio of water to cementations materials. Polycarboxylate based AEA may modify the freeze and thaw durability of concrete without strength reduction. Therefore polycarboxylate based AEA may be used to produce HPC and self compacting concrete.