How to Dissolve Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer (PCE) Flakes and Compound Your Own Liquid Admixture

Concrete Admixture Technical Guide · No. 03

Dissolving solid polycarboxylate superplasticizer (PCE) flake is straightforward. You need water, a tank, a pump and a stirrer — no complex equipment. You can compound your own liquid admixture on site.

The Short Version

1.Add water to a tank.

2.Add the flake.

3.Stir until dissolved.

4.Add any other additives.

5.Use the liquid.

That is the entire process. No heat and no high pressure are required.

What Equipment You Need

A chemical plant is not necessary. A simple mixing line is sufficient.

Most customers purchase a standard tank locally, or use equipment they already have. Keep it simple.

Step by Step

Step 1. Add water to the tank. Use clean water; room temperature is fine.

Step 2. Add the flake. Feed it from the top or the bottom — both work. Add slowly while stirring.

Step 3. Stir until fully dissolved. The result is a clear liquid with no lumps and no residue. The flake dissolves quickly, so this does not take long.

Step 4. Add your other additives. If the formula requires a retarder, a defoamer or other small additives, add them after the flake is fully dissolved.

Step 5. Pump out and use. Pump the finished liquid to the dosing tank or directly to the batching plant.

How Strong Should You Make It?

You control the concentration — either a strong mother liquor or a ready-to-use liquid, depending on your formula and your local cement and sand.

One tip: prepare a clear, stable solution first, then dilute it to the target concentration. It mixes more uniformly this way.

Always run a trial mix before a large batch.

Compounding: The Small Additives

Dissolving is only half the job. A real admixture is usually compounded — the PCE is combined with small additives that tune the performance.

The order matters: dissolve the flake first, then add the small additives, then adjust.

Two points to keep in mind:

A high slump-retention PCE (PC 6020RT) often needs a defoamer, because it entrains more air.

A well-chosen PCE is compatible with these small additives, which lets you compound freely for your local cement and sand.

The Saudi example above is itself a compound: citric acid and sugar are both retarders, added to the dissolved flake to control setting in hot weather.

Two Simple Rules

Do not mix flake PCE with naphthalene-based water reducers.

Keep the flakes dry before use.

Why Simple Equipment Is Enough

Flake PCE dissolves in plain water, requiring no heat and no high pressure. The equipment therefore stays simple. A tank, a pump and a stirrer are all the hardware needed to turn solid flake into liquid admixture.

A Real Example

A customer in Saudi Arabia followed exactly this procedure.

He dosed 1.25 g of this liquid per 100 g of cement — about 0.19% active PCE, at a water-binder ratio of roughly 0.29.

His words: "The result was very good."

Ocean freight in his region had risen sharply, which is why he switched from liquid to flake. He now produces his own liquid in small batches, using simple equipment.

FAQ

Do I need special equipment?

No. A stainless steel tank, a pump and a stirrer are sufficient.

Do I need a storage tank?

No. Catch the finished liquid in an existing drum or tank.

Can I feed the flake from the top or the bottom?

Both work.

Do I need a hoisting crane?

No. Feed the flake by hand — it arrives in bags.

Can I buy the equipment locally?

Yes. Any standard mixing tank works; you do not need to import complex equipment.

Can I add other additives to the liquid?

Yes. Add them after the flake is fully dissolved.

Related reading

For a complete overview of every concrete admixture and when to use each, read Concrete Admixtures: The Complete Guide.

To learn how to compound a PCE admixture, read How to Compound a Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer (PCE) Admixture.

To choose between the PCE models, read Which Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer (PCE) Should You Choose?.