Effects of Chemical Admixtures on the Working and Mechanical Properties of Ordinary Dry-Mixed Mortar

Abstract

The effects of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose ether, starch ether, bentonite, and redispersion emulsoid powder on the working and mechanical properties of fresh dry-mixed mortar were studied. The results show that hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose ether has the greatest impact on the consistency and water retention of ordinary dry-mixed mortar and that redispersion emulsoid powder reduces the water action and starch ether has essentially no effect on water retention. It also shows that the time of mortar condensation when mixed with hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose ether is the longest, followed by redispersion emulsoid powder and bentonite. Starch ether can slightly, but not obviously, extend the setting time of cement mortar. Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose ether has the greatest impact on the mechanical properties of ordinary dry-mixed mortar, followed by redispersion emulsoid powder, starch ether, and bentonite. As the water retention increases, the setting time of the mortar also increases. The use of water as a thickening material has a retarding effect on the mortar, increases the water-retention rate, and increases the retarding effect. Moreover, increasing the content of the chemical admixtures decreases the strength of cement mortar.