Effect of polycarboxylate superplasticizer on hydration and properties of belite ye’elimite ferrite cement paste

Abstract : Belite-Ye’elimite-Ferrite (BYF) cements have received increasing attention in view of their lower CO2 footprint and their interesting performances. This work deals with the effect of polycarboxylate superplasticizer (SP) on BYF cement paste. It was found that SP dosage must be low in order to avoid destabilization, and thus improve the resistance to bleeding and segregation. Also, the good affinity of polycarboxylate-based superplasticizer with cement surface improves the cement particles dispersion and causes a significant diminution of the yield stress during the low activity period. Furthermore, it is shown that SP causes a delay in the early age hydration, inducing a decrease in the compressive strength at early age while it increases them after 90 days.