Retarders

Retarders are typically used to delay the onset of setting or to increase the setting time and thereby also to increase the available processing or production times of gypsum, cement and other mineral binder systems. Specific site requirements regarding extended workability time of fresh concrete before hardening can be perfectly tailored with the help of set retarders.

• Initial set times are delayed, allowing time for proper placement and finishing without cold joints in all weather conditions.
• Increases concrete density and delivers increased early and ultimate, compressive and flexural strength.
• Lower water cement ratios provide decreased permeability and increased durability.
• Can be used to retard concrete during hot weather concretin.

The use of an admixture such as Sika® Plastiment® can produce very important advantages for the thermal behavior of the structure, through this reduction in the amount of cementitious material required.