The Role of Calcium Formate in Concrete
Calcium formate serves two main functions in concrete:
Water Reducer: Calcium formate acts as a water reducer in concrete. It reduces the water-cement ratio of concrete, improving its fluidity and pumpability. By decreasing the amount of water added, it enhances the strength and durability of the concrete.
Retarder: In some special cases, it is necessary to control the setting time of concrete for better construction. Calcium formate can be used as a retarder to slow down the setting of concrete, making construction more convenient. Especially in high-temperature seasons or during long-distance transportation of concrete, calcium formate effectively delays the hydration reaction of cement, reducing the heat of hydration and early-age strength of the concrete.

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