Improve the practicability of calcium aluminate phosphate cement as well cement: The application of amphoteric ion polymer as retarder

Abstract The thickening performance of calcium aluminate phosphate cement (CAPC) just can be improved by several kinds of compound retarders. However, in order to achieve the expected thickening time, the optimal proportion of each component must be controlled strictly, which seriously affects the practicability of CAPC. Therefore, the amphoteric ion polymer (ASDA) synthesized by the solution copolymerization among 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS), sodium p-styrenesulfonate (SSS), diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DMDAAC), itaconic acid (IA) is proposed as the retarder for CAPC in this paper. First, the molecular structure of ASDA is designed according to the action and failure mechanism of conventional Portland cement retarder in CAPC. And then the retarding effect and mechanism of ASDA in CAPC is researched. Finally, the basic properties of CAPC with ASDA as well cement are evaluated. Results show that the retarding effect of ASDA is excellent at middle temperature range. And CAPC with ASDA possesses superior right angle thickening performance. Although the early compressive strength is weak, the long term compressive strength of CAPC with ASDA just declines slightly. Furthermore, rheology, stability and free water of CAPC with ASDA still meet the demand of cementing engineering.