What is a plasticizer for concrete

It's no secret that plasticizers are widely used in the production of concrete mixes. It is the plasticizer that experts recommend as an additive when performing most construction and concrete works. Of course, those who do the work know what it is and what "they eat it with", but for an ordinary person who first encountered this name, it is not entirely clear.

"What is a plasticizer?", "Plasticizer consumption for concrete", "Plasticizer for concrete proportions" - let's look at all these indicators using the example of Sanpol plasticizer for concrete mixtures.
Plasticizer is a chemical additive for concrete and cement mortars, which improves its properties, namely: fluidity and plasticity, which ultimately makes the mixture more durable and increases the density of already hardened concrete, reduces shrinkage during solidification.

The plasticizer is sold in liquid form, packaged in cans of 5 liters.

Do I need to add a plasticizer? To answer this question, let's look at how it affects the mixture.

The first thing that the plasticizer affects is fluidity. If you have at least once in your life nailed concrete or seen how it is done, you know how many problems this work causes. And all because the mixture is too rigid and immobile and voids begin to form in it. Of course, you may think that you can add water and solve this problem, but not everything is so simple. If you add water to the mixture, of course, it will become more liquid, but this will break the strength of concrete, and this absolutely cannot be done! And then the plasticizer comes to the rescue! It is he who can improve the plasticity and make the mixture as malleable as possible, while he reduces the amount of water use, thereby increasing the strength of concrete.

The conclusion suggests itself: the plasticizer simply needs to be used when mixing cement mortars.

What should be the proportions of the plasticizer for concrete? And how much to add plasticizer to concrete?

Each manufacturer has its own dosage of plasticizer, because the concentration of products is different for everyone. The amount of plasticizer is calculated and measured in the ratio of its mass to the mass of cement.
The recommended dosage of Sanpol plasticizer is 2% by weight of cement per 1 ^m3 (4-5L per 1 ^m3 of solution).

The choice is yours, whether to use a plasticizer or not! But now you know what functions it performs, and in what proportions it is used.