Development and evaluation of acetone-based and cyclohexanone-based aliphatic superplasticizers for the improvement of concrete workability

Today, chemical admixtures are used to improve the quality and efficiency of concrete. According to previous studies, these admixtures can increase strength, durability, and workability and reduce the cost of concrete production. These admixtures include chemical superplasticizers. In recent years, aliphatic superplasticizers have been investigated by researchers due to their simple production method, low raw material prices, high stability, and increase in slump value. In this study, superplasticizers were made based on cyclohexanone and acetone. For this purpose, first, a laboratory setting was designed and built. Then, the production process of the aliphatic superplasticizers was done. In the next step, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) identification tests were performed to evaluate the produced superplasticizers. The produced superplasticizers were added to the concrete with proportions of 0.6%, 1%, 1.2%, 1.4%, and 1.8% by the weight of the cement. The results were then compared with samples made by industrial superplasticizers. Used industrial superplasticizers were S800 and S430, based on lignosulfonate and naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde, respectively. Slump tests were conducted at 0, 5, 10, and 20-minute intervals. Compressive strength tests at intervals of 7, 14, and 28 days were done to evaluate the mechanical properties of concrete. A flexural strength test was performed at a 28-day time interval. An air content test for fresh concrete was performed. According to slump tests, samples containing acetone and cyclohexanone-based superplasticizers with a superplasticizer-to-cement ratio of 18% (respectively, A1.8 and C1.8) had the highest slump at the initial time of concrete production. The compressive strength test revealed that the A0.6 sample, made using an acetone-based superplasticizer-to-cement ratio of 0.6, exhibited the highest compressive strength compared to other samples made with acetone-based superplasticizers. The C1 sample showed the highest compressive strength among samples made with cyclohexanone-based superplasticizers. The highest flexural strength was related to samples containing acetone and cyclohexanone-based superplasticizers with a superplasticizer-to-cement ratio of %0.6 (respectively A0.6 and C0.6). The C0.6 sample showed the highest percentage in the air content test.