PC-306E Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer Powder for UHPC

Exceptional Water Reduction Performance

Designed for ultra-low water-binder ratio systems, PC-306E delivers superior water reduction while maintaining excellent workability. UHPC-specific superplasticizers typically achieve water reduction rates above 40%, with optimized systems exceeding 50%, making them suitable for pumping, cast-in-place, and precast UHPC applications.

Superior Dispersion of Ultrafine Powders

PC-306E effectively disperses silica fume, metakaolin, slag, and other ultrafine materials commonly used in UHPC. Enhanced particle distribution promotes maximum packing density and improves matrix compactness. In UHPC bridge applications, advanced dispersion technology has enabled flow values of up to 720 mm with T500 times around 6 seconds, supporting long-distance pumping requirements.

Enhanced Strength Development

By balancing water reduction and setting characteristics, PC-306E supports both early-age and long-term strength development. Early-strength UHPC systems can achieve compressive strengths exceeding 80 MPa after 16 hours of natural curing, helping accelerate project schedules.

Improved Sustainability and Cost Efficiency

More efficient particle dispersion allows optimization of binder utilization while maintaining UHPC performance requirements. Reduced cement consumption may contribute to approximately 20% lower CO₂ emissions while improving the overall economic efficiency of UHPC production.

Excellent Compatibility and Workability Retention

PC-306E demonstrates strong compatibility with various cement types and supplementary cementitious materials, including silica fume and ground slag. Properly optimized UHPC systems can maintain stable performance with slump retention exceeding 45 minutes, ensuring reliable construction under complex jobsite conditions.

Bridge Engineering

UHPC bridge applications, including deck overlays, joints, strengthening layers, and steel bridge rehabilitation, require ultra-low water-binder ratios while maintaining excellent pumpability and strength development. PC-306E provides a 32% water reduction rate and excellent powder dispersion, helping UHPC mixtures achieve stable flowability under demanding construction conditions. The product also contributes to enhanced strength development, with compressive strength ratios reaching 179% at 1 day and 142% at 28 days, supporting accelerated construction schedules and long-term bridge durability.

Architectural and Precast Components

Thin façade panels and complex precast UHPC elements require high flowability for precise molding without segregation. With a slurry fluidity of 240 mm, PC-306E improves workability and enables uniform distribution of silica fume and other ultrafine materials, helping manufacturers achieve excellent surface quality, dimensional stability, and structural performance.

Protective and Defense Structures

Protective UHPC structures rely on high matrix density and superior mechanical properties. PC-306E promotes efficient dispersion of cementitious materials, contributing to a more compact microstructure and improved strength development. Its high early-strength performance, with 1-day compressive strength ratios up to 179%, supports the production of high-performance protective elements.

Underground Infrastructure

Tunnel segments and underground UHPC components require low permeability and long-term durability. The excellent dispersion capability of PC-306E enhances particle packing density, helping reduce internal porosity while maintaining the workability needed for efficient placement in complex underground projects.

Marine Engineering

Marine UHPC applications demand exceptional resistance to chloride penetration and aggressive environmental exposure. By improving the compactness of hardened UHPC systems, PC-306E supports the production of durable marine concrete with enhanced long-term performance and reduced maintenance requirements.

Energy Infrastructure

UHPC is increasingly used in wind energy and other critical infrastructure requiring high strength and durability. PC-306E contributes to reliable strength development throughout the curing process, achieving compressive strength ratios of 179% at 1 day and 154% at 7 days, supporting efficient production of high-performance precast components.

Municipal Engineering

Municipal UHPC products such as pavements, drainage components, and street furniture require a balance between workability, durability, and production efficiency. PC-306E provides stable fresh-state performance and improved hardened properties, helping extend service life while reducing maintenance costs.

Structural Rehabilitation and Strengthening

UHPC repair systems are often used in thin overlays where high flowability and rapid strength gain are essential. The combination of 240 mm slurry fluidity and excellent early-age strength development allows PC-306E to support efficient repair operations while enhancing the load-bearing capacity and durability of existing structures.

Why can’t ordinary PCE superplasticizers be used in UHPC?

UHPC mixtures typically operate at water-binder ratios below 0.16 and contain large amounts of silica fume, ultrafine powders, and fibers. Conventional PCE superplasticizers may not provide sufficient water reduction or dispersion under these conditions. UHPC-specific products such as PC-306E are designed to deliver enhanced particle dispersion, improved workability, and reliable strength development in demanding UHPC systems.

Does PC-306E have compatibility issues with different cement systems?

Compatibility differences may occur depending on cement type and supplementary cementitious materials. The saturation dosage of superplasticizers can vary significantly among different binders. Therefore, laboratory trial mixes are recommended to determine the optimum dosage and ensure stable UHPC performance.

Does the total binder content affect the performance of UHPC superplasticizers?

Yes. UHPC admixtures are generally optimized for high binder systems. When binder content is relatively low, the water-reducing efficiency may decrease. PC-306E is specifically developed for high-performance concrete applications where high powder contents and low water-binder ratios are required.

Why can small water variations cause significant slump changes in UHPC?

UHPC mixtures contain very low amounts of mixing water, typically around 130–165 kg/m³. Under these conditions, even minor fluctuations in water dosage can significantly affect workability. Strict control of water addition is essential to avoid excessive slump changes, bleeding, or segregation.

Why can slump loss suddenly become severe even when using the same cement brand?

Cement properties may vary between production batches. Changes in mineral composition, temperature, or the use of alternative raw materials can affect compatibility with polycarboxylate superplasticizers. Compatibility testing is recommended whenever new cement batches are introduced into UHPC production.

Can UHPC PCE superplasticizers be mixed with naphthalene-based admixtures?

Mixing different types of admixtures is generally not recommended. Incompatible admixture systems may lead to abnormal setting behavior, poor workability retention, reduced strength development, and unstable UHPC performance. Dedicated storage and identification procedures should be implemented to prevent accidental mixing.

Can UHPC superplasticizers from different suppliers be mixed?

Mixing products from different manufacturers is not recommended. Variations in raw materials, molecular structures, and production processes may result in unpredictable interactions that negatively affect dispersion performance, workability, and strength development.

Can PC-306E be used in conventional concrete?

Although PC-306E can function in conventional concrete systems, it is specifically designed for UHPC applications involving high binder contents and extremely low water-binder ratios. Using UHPC-specific admixtures in ordinary concrete may not provide the most cost-effective solution.

The shelf life is 12 months from the date of production. If the shelf life has expired, testing and verification must be carried out before use.

Store in a well-ventilated and dry place. Measures should be taken to prevent moisture. Avoid direct sunlight. After opening, it should be used promptly. If not all of it is used, it should be sealed promptly to prevent it from absorbing moisture and becoming spoiled.

Standard packaging options include 25kg/bag or jumbo bag. Typical loading capacity is approximately 20MT/20ft or 28MT/40HQ without pallets, depending on packing and logistics conditions.

Before use, PC-306 needs to be mixed evenly with other dry powder components. The construction mixing and application should be carried out according to the specific requirements of the different fields of application.

The recommended dosage of PC-306is between 0.10% and 0.50% of the binders. The exact amount to be used should be determined by trial mixing based on the application system and variations in the dry-mix components.

For More Information About Dosage：

If you would like to learn more about recommended dosage ranges and practical application methods of superplasticizers, you may refer to the following articles:

• How Much Superplasticizer Should Be Added to Concrete? – A comprehensive guide covering dosage recommendations for different types of superplasticizers, influencing factors, and adjustment methods under various construction conditions.
• How to Add Superplasticizer to Concrete Correctly? – Learn the proper addition sequence, mixing procedures, and practical tips to maximize workability, strength development, and overall concrete performance.