Sika ViscoCrete
Polycarboxylate Ether (PCE) Superplasticizer for High-Performance and Self-Compacting Concrete
Authorized Project Distributor — Sika India | Space Arc Engineering, Ghaziabad
Product Overview
Sika ViscoCrete represents the third generation of concrete superplasticizers, based on polycarboxylate ether (PCE) polymer technology that provides significantly higher water reduction efficiency and workability retention compared to older generation naphthalene sulphonate (SNF) and melamine sulphonate (SMF) superplasticizers. The PCE backbone polymer grafted with polyethylene oxide side chains works by adsorbing onto cement particle surfaces and providing both electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance (the PEO side chains physically separate cement particles), dispersing the cement more effectively at significantly lower admixture dosages and maintaining dispersion for longer before workability is lost due to cement hydration. The result is a concrete admixture capable of achieving 25 to 35 per cent water reduction at standard workability while maintaining adequate slump for 60 to 90 minutes in Indian summer conditions (35 to 42 degrees C) — a workability retention window that naphthalene superplasticizers cannot match. Sika ViscoCrete is the enabling admixture for several advanced concrete applications now increasingly specified on major Indian infrastructure projects: self-compacting concrete (SCC) for congested reinforcement in high-rise columns and shear walls where vibration access is restricted; very high strength concrete (60 MPa and above) for high-rise building frames and flyover piers; GGBS and fly ash high-volume supplementary cementitious material (SCM) concrete where low heat of hydration and durability are priorities; and precast concrete where fast form stripping through high early strength requires low w/c ratio concrete with adequate workability for efficient production. Space Arc Engineering supplies Sika ViscoCrete grades for RMC plants, precast yards, and site-batched concrete projects throughout Delhi NCR, Ghaziabad, and Uttar Pradesh.
Applications
- High-strength concrete (M50 to M80) for high-rise columns, beams, and piling
- Self-compacting concrete (SCC) for congested reinforcement in high-rise and bridge work
- Ready-mixed concrete for pumped delivery over long distances in RMC plants
- Precast concrete — high early strength for fast form-stripping and production
- Low water-to-cement ratio concrete for marine, industrial, and infrastructure durability
- GGBS and fly ash high-volume SCM concrete for low heat mass concrete pours
Key Advantages
- PCE chemistry — 25 to 35 per cent water reduction, far superior to SNF plasticizers
- Extended workability retention — 60 to 90 minutes at Indian summer temperatures
- Enables SCC — flowing concrete without segregation or bleeding for complex formwork
- High early strength — fast form-stripping and reduced curing cycle in precast
- Excellent compatibility with GGBS, fly ash, silica fume, and OPC combinations
- Low dosage PCE — typically 0.3 to 0.8 per cent by cement weight for full effect
Technical Data
| Type | Polycarboxylate ether (PCE) superplasticizer, third generation |
| Water Reduction | 25 to 35 per cent at standard dosage |
| Dosage Range | 0.3 to 0.8 per cent by weight of cement (trial mix to confirm) |
| Workability Retention | 60 to 90 minutes at 35 degrees C (grade-dependent) |
| Chloride Content | Chloride-free (non-corrosive to reinforcement) |
| Compliance | IS 9103, ASTM C494 Type A and F |
Get a Quote
+91 9999155255 | info@space-arc.com | Space Arc Engineering, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad
Frequently Asked Questions
What dosage of Sika ViscoCrete is needed to produce M60 high-strength concrete and what is the target water-to-cement ratio achievable?
For M60 concrete (target cube strength 60 MPa at 28 days), the target w/c ratio is typically 0.30 to 0.35 depending on cement type and aggregate quality. At a starting mix design with 450 kg OPC (or OPC+silica fume blend) per m3, the Sika ViscoCrete dosage required to reduce the water content to achieve w/c of 0.30 to 0.35 while maintaining 150 to 180 mm slump (for pump delivery) is typically 0.5 to 0.8 per cent by weight of cementitious content — 2.25 to 3.6 litres of Sika ViscoCrete per m3 of concrete at a cementitious content of 450 kg per m3. The exact dosage must always be established by trial mixes at the actual site or plant conditions (temperature, cement source, aggregate type and grading), as PCE superplasticizers are sensitive to cement chemistry and admixture combinations. Do not simply scale up naphthalene superplasticizer dosages to PCE — PCE is effective at much lower dosages and over-dosage causes severe retardation and potential bleeding. Specify and conduct trial mixes at 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 per cent dosage and measure slump, slump retention at 30 and 60 minutes, and early strength at 1 and 3 days before finalising the M60 mix design. Contact Space Arc Engineering for Sika ViscoCrete supply and technical mix design support for your high-strength concrete project.
Can Sika ViscoCrete (PCE) be used with fly ash concrete for mass concrete foundation pours and what are the dosage and workability implications?
Sika ViscoCrete is an excellent admixture for fly ash concrete in mass concrete foundation applications. Fly ash (Class F low-calcium fly ash from Indian thermal power plants at Badarpur, Dadri, or Unchahar) can be used at 25 to 40 per cent replacement of OPC by weight in mass concrete, providing two critical benefits for large raft foundations and pile caps in Delhi NCR: reduced heat of hydration (each 10 per cent OPC replacement with fly ash reduces peak concrete temperature by approximately 5 to 6 degrees C), and improved long-term durability through pozzolanic reaction. The PCE in Sika ViscoCrete is compatible with fly ash concrete — however, fly ash reduces the total water demand of the concrete mix at the same slump due to the spherical shape and smooth surface of fly ash particles (ball-bearing effect), meaning the Sika ViscoCrete dosage to achieve 150 to 180 mm slump in fly ash concrete is typically 10 to 20 per cent lower than in 100 per cent OPC concrete at the same cementitious content. Also note that fly ash concrete has slower early strength development — if mass concrete temperature rise is the primary concern, reduce OPC and add Sika Plastiment or Sika Retarder to extend workability, while keeping the Sika ViscoCrete dosage at the minimum needed for target slump. Always conduct a trial mix with the actual fly ash source and Sika ViscoCrete grade before specifying for production.
What is the difference between Sika ViscoCrete 2199 and Sika ViscoCrete 5-555 and which grade should be specified for RMC plant production in Ghaziabad during summer?
Sika ViscoCrete is supplied in multiple grades differentiated by PCE polymer architecture, molecular weight, and side-chain density, tuned for different concrete applications and temperature conditions. The primary distinction relevant for RMC in Ghaziabad summer conditions is workability retention profile: some grades (early-strength optimised, short side-chain PCE) provide rapid initial dispersion and early strength but shorter workability window (30 to 45 minutes) — suitable for precast elements and fast-turn RMC deliveries where fresh concrete is placed within 30 minutes of mixing. Other grades (extended workability, long side-chain PCE) provide moderately lower initial dispersion but maintain workability for 60 to 90 minutes — essential for RMC plants in Ghaziabad supplying concrete to high-rise projects where transit times in Delhi NCR traffic may be 45 to 75 minutes from plant to site. For RMC production in Delhi NCR summer (April to June, 38 to 45 degrees C), specify the Sika ViscoCrete grade with extended workability retention, combined with Sika Retarder (set retarder) to control the accelerated hydration caused by the heat. Contact Space Arc Engineering technical support for a site trial recommendation of the appropriate Sika ViscoCrete grade for your RMC plant mix design, aggregate type, cement source, and delivery distance.
Source Sika ViscoCrete for Your Project
Space Arc Engineering is an Authorized Project Distributor for Sika India serving Delhi NCR, Ghaziabad, Noida and Uttar Pradesh.