On the Interaction between Superabsorbent Hydrogels and Blended Mixtures with Supplementary Cementitious Materials

This article studies the interactions between hydrogels with two distinct chemical compositions and hydrating blended mixtures containing supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), including Class F fly ash, slag, and silica fume. The effect of SCMs on the absorption behavior and chemical characteristics of hydrogels was investigated. The desorption of hydrogels in hydrating blended pastes was examined at various times using scanning electron microscopy. A reduction in the absorption of hydrogels was observed in the blended slurry with fly ash compared to other slurries. Hydrogels showed faster desorption in the paste with silica fume and delayed desorption in the paste with fly ash. This was attributed to faster densification of the microstructure and development of the capillary suction in the paste with silica fume and delayed densification in the paste with fly ash at early ages.