Cement is the most common binding material used in construction activities. Cement is mixed with crushed rocks, sand and water in specific proportion to createconcrete. Admixtures are chemicals that are added to concrete at the initial mixing stage to enhances or modify the working properties of the mix. Concrete admixtures are primarily used to enhance the compressive strength, workability and durability parameter of the concrete and to reduce the water content in it. Admixtures are generally classified according to application as Plasticizers (water reducing agents), super plasticizers (high range water reducers), air entrainers, accelerators and retarders. Also, three types of admixtures very common in the market such as Lingo-based, Sulfonated Naphthalene Formaldehyde (SNF) and Sulfonated Melamine Formaldehyde (SMF) based and PCE (Polycarboxylate Ether) based admixtures.Optimum use of admixtures depends on several factors including the type and amount of cement used, working temperature of concrete and air and water content.
For developers, engineers, contractors, builders, architects and other end-users, concrete admixtures offer innumerable benefits such as corrosion resistance, reduced permeability and improved resistance to chemical attack, effective placement of concrete in extreme weather conditions and underwater placement of concrete.
The demand for concrete admixtures is directly related tocement consumption trends. Some of the drivers ofthe concrete admixtures market are improving quality of construction in developing economies, increasing demand for high rise buildings, roads, bridges, tunnels and dams. Reduction in water usage and construction time is the major concerns of contractors and manufacturers,which could be rightly addressed by making effective use of concrete admixtures. Some of the inhibitors inthe concrete admixtures market are increasing...