Water Reducers

Water reducers consist of chemicals that aim to reduce the water to cement ratio in concrete. As a result, they tend to increase strength while minimizing impact on any other properties of the concrete.

A major characteristic is the capability to substantially reduce the water content of a mix. Achievement of lower water/cement-ratios (w/c-ratios) results in dramatically enhanced durability, induced by remarkably low concrete permeability. Application of more economical mix designs is another option, with optimizations yielding more ecological and resource-friendly mixes at constant concrete quality.

Water reducing admixtures should be used when a plasticization effect is desired. This is ideal for the production of conventional slump concrete, Self Consolidating Concrete (SCC), ready mix applications, and more. Water reducing admixtures improve workability and finishability, as well as the concrete's strength. They will affect the following properties, depending on dosage and application:

• Workability/placeability
• Pumping speed
• Compressive and/or flexural strength
• Setting time
• Slump
• Strength
• Water to cement ratio