MECHANISMS OF ACCELERATORS AND RETARDERS

Possible mechanisms are:

• Adsorption on the surface of particles
• Chelation of metal ions
• Poisoning of nucleation and growth
• Precipitation of insoluble salts
• Change in microstructure of hydrated phases
• Several variables involved:
• Chemical admixture composition; chemical admixture dosage.
• chemical composition, PSD, mineralogy of cement; impurities/inclusions and crystal structure of individual anhydrous
phases; presence of SCM; alkali and sulfate contents; etc.

RETARDERS

• Water soluble salts: sodium metaborate, sodium tetraborate, stannous sulfate, lead acetate, monobasic calcium
phosphate.
• Salts of lignosulfonic acid (Ca, Na, NH4)
• Salts of hydroxylated carboxylic acids (Na, NH4)
• Carbohydrates

ACCELERATORS

• Soluble inorganic salts (chlorides, bromides, fluorides, carbonates, thiocyanates, nitrites, nitrates, thiosulfates,
silicates, aluminates, alkali hydroxides).
• Soluble organic compounds (TEA, Ca formate, Ca acetate, Ca propionate, Ca butyrate)
• Admixtures for shotcrete (Na silicate, Na aluminate, Al chloride, Na fluoride, strong alkalis)

MECHANISMS OF ACCELERATION WITH CALCIUM CHLORIDE

• More permeable C-S-H with CaCl2:

Ability of CaCl2 to flocculate hydrophilic colloids, resulting in a more permeable C-S-H surface layer, through which
water and ions can diffuse faster (higher hydration rate during first stages of diffusion-controlled period)

Unhydrated cement

Unflocated C-S-H layer

Unflocated C-S-H layer

RETARDING ADMIXTURES

There are two kinds of retarders, defined as Type B (Retarding Admixtures) and Type D (Water Reducing and Retarding
Admixtures). The main difference between these two is the water-reducing characteristic in Type D that gives higher compressive
strengths by lowering w/cm ratio.
Retarding admixtures are used to slow the rate of setting of concrete. By slowing the initial setting time, the concrete mixture can
stay in its fresh mix state longer before it gets to its hardened form. Use of retarders is beneficial for:

 Complex concrete placement or grouting

 Special architectural surface finish

 Compensating the accelerating effect of high temperature towards the initial set

 Preventing cold joint formation in successive lifts.

Retarder can be formed by organic and inorganic material. The organic material consists of unrefined Ca, Na, NH4, salts of
lignosulfonic acids, hydroxycarboxylic acids, and carbohydrates. The inorganic material consists of oxides of Pb and Zn,
phosphates, magnesium salts, fluorates, and borates. Commonly used retarders are lignosulfonates acids and hydroxylated
carboxylic (HC) acids, which act as Type D (Water Reducing and Retarding Admixtures). The use of lignosulfonates acids and
hydroxylated carboxylic acids retard the initial setting time for at least an hour and no more than three hours when used at 65 to
100 oF.

Admixture Description Retardation of initial setting time (h:min) at

Type temperature of

30oC 40oC 50oC

D Hydroxylic acid 4:57 1:15 1:10

D Lignin 2:20 0:42 0:53

D Lignosulfonates 3:37 1:07 1:25

B Phosphate-based --- 3:20 2:30