How does water retaining agent for ready-mixed mortar lock the moisture of mortar with super water absorption?
Publish Time: 2024-12-11
In premixed mortar, water retaining agent plays a vital role. It effectively locks the moisture of mortar with its unique super water absorption, ensuring the performance and construction quality of mortar.
Water retaining agent for ready-mixed mortar is mostly water-absorbing resin, which has a special molecular structure. It is usually composed of cross-linked high molecular polymers, and the molecular chain contains a large number of hydrophilic groups, such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. When in contact with water in the mortar, these hydrophilic groups will quickly react with water molecules, adsorb and fix water molecules around the molecular chain through chemical bonds such as hydrogen bonds. It is like a tiny "water storage container" that firmly binds the water.
Its microscopic three-dimensional network structure is the key structure for locking water. This cross-linked structure allows the resin to expand to form a gel-like substance after absorbing water, and will not dissolve in water. The presence of gel hinders the free flow and volatilization of water, and stably retains the water in the mortar system. For example, in ordinary mortar, water may be lost quickly due to evaporation or absorption by the base layer, causing the mortar to dry and harden prematurely, affecting construction and final strength. The gel formed by the water retainer can form a moisture barrier on the surface of the mortar to slow down the rate of water loss.
Under different humidity environments, the water-locking ability of the water retainer can also be flexibly adjusted. In a relatively dry environment, it will release some water to maintain the humidity balance inside the mortar and ensure that the hydration reaction of cementitious materials such as cement can continue; when the ambient humidity is high, it will absorb excess water to prevent the mortar from bleeding and segregation due to excessive moisture.
In addition, the water retainer has a good synergistic effect with other components in the mortar. It is evenly dispersed in the mortar system and intertwined with cement particles, aggregates, etc. On the one hand, the water it absorbs can be used for the cement hydration reaction and promote the coagulation and hardening process of cement; on the other hand, its presence improves the workability of the mortar, making the mortar smoother during mixing, transportation, pumping and construction, and reducing construction defects caused by uneven moisture.
In summary, water retaining agent for ready-mixed mortar, with its special molecular structure, three-dimensional network architecture and synergistic effect with mortar components, can effectively lock the moisture in mortar with its super water absorption, thereby improving the working performance, construction quality and durability of ready-mixed mortar, and plays an indispensable and important role in the field of building materials.
