The performance of polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PCE) under extreme weather conditions is highly adaptable due to its unique molecular structure, but still requires targeted optimization.
Under high temperature environment, cement hydration is accelerated, which may lead to faster slump loss. At this time, the polycarboxylate superplasticizer needs to be compounded with a retarder to delay hydration and maintain workability. In addition, high temperature may affect the adsorption of water reducing agent molecules on the surface of cement particles, and the molecular structure should be adjusted (e.g., increase the length of side chain) to enhance the stability.
Under the freezing environment, the hydration of cement is slowed down, and the polycarboxylate superplasticizer can maintain the fluidity better, but it needs to be compounded with antifreeze to prevent the internal water from freezing, and at the same time, it can be introduced to improve the freezing resistance through the introduction of air-entraining agent.
