Title: The Leachability of a PCP-Based Superplasticizer from Hardened Cement-Based Materials

Author(s): Cyril Guerandel, Lionel Vernex-Loset, Gabriel Krier, Michel De Laneve, Laurent Izoret, Christian Pierre, and Jean-Francois Muller

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 288

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1-14

Keywords: superplasticizer; cement; leaching; mass spectrometry; durability.

DOI: 10.14359/51684233

Date: 9/14/2012

Abstract:
Evidence that materials used by the building industry are not damageable for their environment has become a major issue. In particular, the question of organic admix¬tures released from cement based materials by leaching has to be addressed. This paper presents the results of the work carried out with a leaching test derived from the Soxhlet extractor allowing to accelerate the leaching process of organic admixtures. Studied compound is a Polycarboxylate-co-polyethylene glycol based superplasticizer. Numerous analytical methods have been used in the past to detect traces of this chemical. However, mass spectrometry has not yet been applied for this purpose. The last method has enabled us to demonstrate that during the leaching of concrete samples admixed with usual dosages; organic compounds are not released in the leachates. Additionally, in case of cement pastes with high admixtures dosages, we have shown that the leaching process can be assimilated to surface washing.