WO2009044046A2

WO2009044046A2 - Adjuvants for hydraulic compositions with low viscosity

Info

Publication number: WO2009044046A2
Application number: PCT/FR2008/051577
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Rinaldi; Horacio Naranjo; Martin Mosquet; Emmanuel Villard
Original assignee: Lafarge; Chryso
Priority date: 2007-09-27
Filing date: 2008-09-04
Publication date: 2009-04-09
Also published as: WO2009044046A3; FR2921654A1

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of compolymers having a main chain essentially obtained from maleic monomers and allylic monomers and polyoxyalkylated side-chains containing statistically-distributed hydrophobic units as an adjuvant for lowering the viscosity of hydraulic compositions.

Description

Admixtures for low viscosity hydraulic compositions

The present invention relates to the use of specific polyalkoxylated polycarboxylic copolymers for improving the viscosity of hydraulic compositions.

The hydraulic compositions of the concrete formulation type must meet severe and multiple requirements.

These formulations are therefore generally adjuvanted, in particular by adding plasticizers or water reducers. These compounds give overall satisfaction in reducing water and maintaining the workability of the compositions. However, it is sought to further optimize the properties of these adjuvants.

In particular, it would be desirable to have plasticizers which also make it possible to lower the viscosity of the compositions. A low viscosity is useful because it speeds up the preparation, transfer and placement. It is particularly sought after for self-leveling concrete formulations. In order to reduce the viscosity, it is possible to add water to the formulation.

However, the presence of water deteriorates the mechanical properties of the cured material, and can in particular cause the appearance of cracks.

In order to improve the viscosity-reducing capacity of PCP additives, the patent application WO 2004/099100 describes copolymer mixtures, one of which has been modified by introduction of a hydrophobic group in the side chain. These copolymer mixtures are, however, quite complex and both their formulation and their properties can be difficult to control.

Furthermore, the patent application WO 2004/099099 proposes copolymers obtained by polymerization of 20 to 60% by weight of alkyl (meth) acrylate, 15 to 40% by mole of unsaturated monomer bearing a polyalkylene glycol chain and 19 to 65 mol% of a carboxylic acid. According to this document, only the copolymers prepared by respecting these ranges give favorable results.

Patent Application EP 1 528 045 describes a multi-functional adjuvant obtained by radical polymerization of maleic acid anhydride with a polyalkoxylated allylic monomer. It describes a copolymer comprising styrenic units and carrying side chains containing oxypropylene units. This copolymer is however disappointing in terms of viscosity and compressive strength. The patent application LJS 2004/0204517 describes complex additives for lowering the viscosity of hydraulic binders comprising two copolymers of maleic acid and polyacrylalkylene glycol ether unsaturated monomers as well as a non-polymerizable polyalkylene glycol ether. The adjuvants described do not comprise hydrophobic groups.

An object of the invention was therefore to provide specific additives to improve the viscosity of the hydraulic compositions of formulations, while retaining interesting properties of water reduction and maintaining workability.

Another aim was to propose such adjuvants for lowering the viscosity of formulations having an E / C ratio greater than 0.45.

Another goal was to propose such additives that are inexpensive.

This object is achieved by the use of copolymers comprising a main chain obtained essentially from maleic monomers and allylic monomers, and polyoxyalkylated side chains comprising statistically distributed hydrophobic units, as an adjuvant in order to lower the viscosity of hydraulic compositions. The invention is based on the surprising finding that the combination, in a copolymer, of units derived from allylic monomers and maleic monomers in the main chain and from polyoxyalkylated side chains, comprising hydrophobic units confers on the copolymers a certain behavior. particularly interesting in terms of lowering the viscosity.

According to the main aspect, the invention relates to the use of copolymers comprising a main chain obtained essentially from maleic monomers and of allylic monomers, and polyoxyalkyl-type side chains containing statistically distributed hydrophobic units, as the main chain. adjuvant to lower the viscosity of hydraulic compositions.

Copolymers comprising a main chain and side chains are also called comb polymers.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the copolymer comprises maleic units of formula (I) below:

in which :

R ¹ and R ² are independently of each other a group -Z-

(R ³ CO _m (R ⁴ O) _n R ⁵ in which Z is O or NH, and R ³ and R ⁴ are independently of each other an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably ethylene or propylene, m is a number from 0 to 250, n is a number from 0 to 250, and

R ⁵ is hydrogen or straight or branched alkyl having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably methyl or, when m and n are 0, R ⁵ is H or a mono- or divalent metal or an ammonium group, the substituents R ¹ and R ² may also be connected to each other and represent oxygen to form the anhydride.

Preferably, the copolymer is capable of being obtained by radical polymerization of a maleic monomer of formula (Ia) below:

in which :

R ¹ and R ² are, independently of each other, a group -Z- (R ³ O) _m (R ⁴ O) _n R ⁵ in which Z is O or NH, and R ³ and R ⁴ are independently an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably ethylene or propylene, is 0 to 250, n is 0 to 250, and R ⁵ is hydrogen or alkyl; straight or branched having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably methyl or, when m and n are 0, R ⁵ is a mono- or divalent metal or an ammonium group, the substituents R ¹ and R ² may also be interconnected and represent oxygen to form the anhydride; with an allylic monomer of formula (IIa) below:

CH ₂ = C (R ⁶ ) CH ₂ -R ⁷ (IIa)

in which: R ⁶ is hydrogen or a straight or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and

R ⁷ is a group -Z- (R ³ O) _m (R ⁴ O) _n R ⁵ wherein Z is O or NH, and R ³ and

R ⁴ are independently of each other an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably ethylene or propylene, m is a number from 0 to

250, n is a number from 0 to 250, and R ⁵ is hydrogen or alkyl having 1 to

4 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, ethyl or propyl.

Advantageously, the maleic monomer is chosen from the group of maleic acid, maleic anhydride, hemi-esters of maleic acid with alcohols, glycols or amines containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally alkoxylated with 1 to 10 carbon atoms. 250 alkoxypolyalkylene units.

Preferably, the maleic monomer comprises 10 to 100% by weight of maleic anhydride.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the allyl monomer is of formula (IIa) in which R ⁷ is a group -Z- (R ³ O) _m (R ⁴ O) _n R ⁵ in which Z is O or NH and R ³ and R ⁴ are, independently of one another, an alkylene group having 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms, m is a number from 1 to 50, n is a number from 1 to 50 and R ⁵ is hydrogen or methyl, ethyl or propyl.

In particular, the allyl monomer may be of formula (IIa) in which R ⁶ is hydrogen.

Preferably, the allyl monomer is an allyl alcohol having 10 to 30 oxyethylene units and at least one oxypropylene unit.

Advantageously, the copolymer is used in the form of an aqueous solution.

The copolymer may be used in solution at a concentration of 5 to 40%, preferably 10 to 30% by dry weight.

The use is particularly advantageous for lowering the viscosity of concrete compositions having an E / C ratio greater than 0.45 and self-leveling / self-compacting concrete compositions.

According to the invention, the copolymer used has a specific constitution both at the level of the main chain and at the level of side chains.

The copolymer used according to the invention comprises a main chain obtained essentially from maleic monomers and allylic monomers, and side chains of polyoxyalkyl type comprising units hydrophobes distributed statistically.

Preferably, the copolymer does not comprise (meth) acrylic units. In a particularly preferred manner, the copolymer consists entirely of maleic and allylic units. According to the invention, the copolymer comprises oxyalkylene-type side groups comprising hydrophobic units randomly distributed in the chain. This oxyalkylene chain may be carried by the unit derived from the maleic monomer or by the unit derived from the allyl monomer.

Preferably, the oxyalkylene-type side groups having hydrophobic units are carried by the allyl unit.

By the term "allylic monomers" is meant a structure of R _a RbC = CR _c -CRdR _e - where R ₃ , Rb, Rc, Rd or R _e are hydrogen or an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group having 1 at 10 carbon atoms

The term "hydraulic compositions" means any composition having a hydraulic setting, and especially cements, mortars and concretes for all construction markets (building, civil engineering or prefabrication plant).

The term "hydrophobic group" is intended to mean a group which does not have the capacity to create hydrogen bonds with the water molecules, generally a group of low polarity. Preferably, the hydrophobic unit comprises or consists of oxyalkylene groups having more than 2 carbon atoms, and more particularly, at least three carbon atoms. Preferably, the hydrophobic groups are oxypropylene groups.

By the term "statistical distribution" is meant an irregular distribution, ie neither a block distribution nor a sequence distribution. This term is supposed to cover in particular the distributions present in so-called graded or tapered copolymers containing chains in which the concentration of one unit increases progressively along the chain.

Such a distribution of the hydrophobic groups is interesting in particular because it increases the probability of a presence of hydrophobic group in the end position of the side chain, since this makes it possible to limit the gelation by crosslinking.

Indeed, when the side chain carries a terminal ethylene oxide group and R ⁷ is hydrogen, the terminal group is a reactive primary alcohol and therefore capable of gelling by crosslinking, for example by esterification. It is therefore generally preferred to convert the terminal hydroxy group to an alkoxy, sulfate or acetate group by an additional reaction step.

In contrast, a terminal oxypropylene group forms a less reactive secondary alcohol, and thus results in a stable compound without the need for an additional step.

This type of macromonomers can be obtained for example by anionic polymerization with several alkylene oxides in the presence of a strong base. The mechanism will be explained by exemplifying the preferred alkylene oxides, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide.

During the anionic polymerization, the polyoxyalkylene chains are formed simultaneously. The higher reactivity of the ethylene oxide leads to a preferential reaction of this monomer and thus to a depletion of the medium in this species. It follows a progressive increase in the concentration of propylene oxide in the chain at the expense of ethylene oxide groups during the formation of said chain.

Macromonomers carrying chains predominantly terminated by an oxypropylene group are thus obtained, which is unlikely to react with the other reactive groups of the medium. Indeed, according to ¹³ C NMR studies, the macromonomers thus obtained carry polyoxyalkylene chains more than 90% terminated by a propylene oxide unit.

The maleic units are derived from maleic acid and may in particular be of formula (I) below:

in which :

R ¹ and R ² are independently of each other a group -Z-

(R ³ O) _m (R ⁴ O) _n R ⁵ wherein Z is O or NH, and R ³ and R ⁴ are independently of each other an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably ethylene or propylene, m is a number from 0 to 250, n is a number from 0 to 250, and R ⁵ is hydrogen or straight or branched alkyl having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably methyl or, when m and n are 0, R ⁵ is hydrogen or a mono- or divalent metal or an ammonium group, the substituents R ¹ and R ² may also be connected to each other and represent oxygen to form the anhydride.

Preferred are the units of formula (I) having one or more of the following characteristics:

- R ¹ is a group -Z- (R ³ O) _m (R ⁴ O) _n R ⁵ in which Z is O and m and n are 0 and R ₅ is H, a mono- or divalent metal or a ammonium group; - R ² is a group -Z- (R ³ O) _m (R ⁴ O) _n R ⁵ in which Z is O and m and n are 0 and R ₅ is H, a mono- or divalent metal or a ammonium group; or

- R ¹ and R ² are connected to each other and represent an oxygen.

The units derived from the allylic monomers are derived from allyl alcohol and may have the following formula (II):

in which :

R ⁶ is hydrogen or a straight or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and R ⁷ is a group -Z- (R ³ O) _m (R ⁴ O) _n R ⁵ wherein Z is O or NH, and R ³ and

R ⁴ are independently of each other an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably ethylene or propylene, m is a number from 0 to 250, n is a number from 0 to 250, and R ⁵ is hydrogen or an alkyl having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, ethyl or propyl. Particularly preferred are the compounds of formula (II) having one or more of the following characteristics:

- R ⁶ is a hydrogen;

R ⁷ is a group -Z- (R ³ O) _m (R ⁴ O) _n R ⁵ in which:

- Z is O; - R ³ or R ⁴ is an ethylene; - R or R is a propylene;

- R ⁵ is a hydrogen or a methyl;

m is a number from 5 to 50 and most preferably from 10 to 30;

n is a number from 5 to 50 and most preferably from 10 to 30; and - m + n is a number between 20 and 80.

Preferably, the copolymer comprises 80 to 40% by number of units derived from maleic monomers and 20 to 60% by number of units derived from allylic monomers.

The copolymers can also be obtained by copolymerization, preferably of radical type, of appropriate monomers. The copolymerization can be carried out conventionally as described for example in the patent application nPCT / FR2005 / 002438.

The monomers used to form the maleic units in the copolymer are unsaturated derivatives of maleic acid, for example compounds of the following formula (Ia):

in which :

R ¹ and R ² are, independently of each other, a group -Z- (R ³ O) _m (R ⁴ O) _n R ⁵ in which Z is O or NH, and R ³ and R ⁴ are independently an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably ethylene or propylene, of the other, m is a number from 0 to 250, n is a number from 0 to 250, and

The preferred maleic monomers have the characteristics indicated above for maleic units. Preferably, the maleic monomer comprises 10 to 100% by weight of maleic anhydride. Particularly preferred are maleic acid, maleic anhydride, hemi-esters of maleic acid with alcohols, glycols or hemi-amides of maleic acid with amines having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally alkoxylated with 1 to 100 alkoxypolyalkylene units. Of these monomers, maleic anhydride is preferred because of its high reactivity. Indeed, maleic anhydride (MAnh) has a low charge density of the double bond and is therefore an acceptor-type monomer. In addition, it has the distinction of not homopolymeriser. Finally, it makes it possible to incorporate carboxylic anhydride groups in the polymer structures, which makes it easy to function by their high reactivity.

The maleic acid derivatives are commercially available or accessible from maleic acid or its anhydride by esterification or amidation reactions known per se.

The monomers used to form the allyl units in the copolymer are derivatives of allyl alcohol, for example compounds of formula (IIa) below:

CH ₂ = C (R ⁶⁾ CH ₂ -R ⁷ (IIa) wherein: R ⁶ is hydrogen or an alkyl group straight or branched having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and

R ⁴ are independently of each other an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably ethylene or propylene, m is a number from 0 to 250, n is a number from 0 to 250, and R ⁵ is a hydrogen or an alkyl having 1 to

4 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, ethyl or propyl.

The preferred allylic monomers have the characteristics indicated above for allylic units.

The allylic monomers generally have a low reactivity. These are weakly donor monomers which limit the size of the copolymers formed by transfer reactions.

When they carry an oxyalkyl chain, the allyl monomers are sometimes referred to hereinafter as macromonomers because they already contain a repetition of oxyalkylene units. These monomers are easily accessible by alkoxylation of corresponding allyl alcohols with several alkoxyalkylenes.

According to a preferred variant, the allyl monomer has the formula (IIa) in which R ⁷ is a group -Z- (R ³ O) _m (R ⁴ O) _n R ⁵ in which Z is O or NH, and R ³ and R ⁴ are independently alkylene having 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms, m is 1 to 50, n is 1 to 50 and R ⁵ is hydrogen or methyl, ethyl or propyl.

According to another variant, the allyl monomer is of formula (IIa) in which R ⁶ is a hydrogen. Preferably, the allyl monomer is an allyl alcohol having 10 to 30 oxyethylene units and at least one oxypropylene unit.

Some of these monomers are marketed by Clariant, under the name A2020, for example.

The adjuvant used according to the invention may be packaged in the form of a solution, in particular an aqueous solution, or in a solvent, in dispersion, or in powder form.

Preferably, it is implemented in the form of an aqueous solution. The concentration of the formulation depends on the intended application. Generally, it will be adjusted to a concentration of 5 to 40% by dry weight, preferably 10 to 30% by dry weight.

In addition, the adjuvant may include an antifoam to correct the air ratio of the hydraulic composition. The anti-foam formulation and dosage will depend on the structure of the dispersant polymer and the desired air ratio. Furthermore, the dispersant may be used in native form or at a neutralization level chosen by using a base or a mixture of bases known to those skilled in the art, for example a sodium hydroxide, a potassium hydroxide, a calcium hydroxide or a primary, secondary or tertiary amine.

Finally, the formulated copolymer may be used alone or in combination with one or more other additives such as an accelerator, retarder or other dispersant, in order to adjust the rheological and setting properties of the material.

The additives described can be used for various hydraulic compositions, especially concrete compositions. They are particularly useful for concrete compositions having a high E / C ratio, i.e. greater than 0.45.

They are particularly interesting for self-leveling / self-leveling concrete formulations (BAN / BAP) in which the viscosity parameter is essential. Indeed, a low viscosity allows good maneuverability in its period of workability: time and ease of pumping for the establishment while maintaining a stability of the concrete at rest satisfactory.

The invention will be described hereinafter in more detail by means of the following examples.

Unless otherwise indicated, the percentages are given in the following statement by weight relative to the weight of the final formulation.

EXAMPLES EXAMPLE 1

Preparation of the copolvère 1

In a two-phase (19/26) 10OmL flask fitted with a magnetic stirrer, surmounted by a condenser and a nitrogen inerting and placed in a thermostatically controlled oil bath, the following are charged:

Maleic anhydride 0.20 g

A2020 (polyalkoxylated allylic monomer with 20 units of ethylene oxide and 20 units of propylene oxide, distributed

26.03 g statistic, terminated in hydroxy group of molar mass

1800 g / mol)

The reaction mixture is heated at 90 ¹ C under stirring, ensuring nitrogen bubbling. Once the temperature is reached, 0.1852 g of thermal initiator (2,2'-

Azobis (isobutyronitrile, V64) are added to the reaction medium. After solubilization of the powder, 1.453 g of maleic anhydride are added over time over about 20 minutes. Nitrogen bubbling is maintained for a few more minutes and then reduced to simple sweeping for the rest of the reaction time. The reaction is stopped after 2 hours.

The product obtained is a viscous liquid which is diluted with water to obtain a solution of concentration close to 20% by weight.

EXAMPLE 2

Preparation of the copolymer 2

Maleic anhydride 0.25 g

40.40 g statistic, terminated in hydroxy group of molar mass

1800 g / mol)

The reaction mixture is heated at 90 ¹ C under stirring, ensuring nitrogen bubbling.

Once the temperature is reached, 0.2885 g of thermal initiator (2,2'-Azobis (isobutyronitrile, V64) are added to the reaction medium After solubilization of the powder, 2.308 g of maleic anhydride are added over time over 20 minutes. The nitrogen bubbling is maintained for a few minutes and then reduced to a simple sweep for the remainder of the reaction time.The reaction is stopped after 2 hours.

EXAMPLE 3

Preparation of Copolvère 3

In a two-lob (19/26) 10OmL flask equipped with magnetic stirring, surmounted by a refrigerant and an inerting with nitrogen and placed in a thermostatically controlled oil bath, we charge:

Maleic anhydride 0.26g

26.08g statistic, terminated in hydroxy group of molar mass

1800 g / mol)

Once the temperature is reached, 0.2616 g of thermal initiator (2,2'-Azobis (isobutyronitrile, V64) are added to the reaction medium After solubilization of the powder, 2.34 g of maleic anhydride are added over time over 20min. The nitrogen bubbling is maintained for a few minutes and then reduced to a simple sweep for the remainder of the reaction time.The reaction is stopped after 2 hours.

EXAMPLE 4

Preparing Copolvère 4

Maleic anhydride 0.34 g

A2020 (polyalkoxylated allylic monomer with 20 units of polyethylene glycol terminated in a molar mass hydroxy group 26.27 g 1800 g / mol)

AM1100 (polyethylene glycol methyl ether allyl monomer

13.66 g of molar mass 1,100 g / mol) The reaction mixture is heated at 90 ° C. under stirring, ensuring nitrogen bubbling.

Once the temperature is reached, 0.3779 g of thermal initiator (2,2'-Azobis (isobutyronitrile, V64) are added to the reaction medium After solubilization of the powder, 2.98 g of maleic anhydride are added over time over 20 minutes. The nitrogen bubbling is maintained for a few minutes and then reduced to a simple sweep for the rest of the reaction time.The reaction is stopped after 2 hours.The product obtained is a viscous liquid that is diluted with water. to obtain a concentration solution of 20% by weight.

EXAMPLE 5

Preparation of the copolymer 5

Maleic anhydride 3.0 g

114.1 g statistic, terminated in hydroxy group of molar mass

1800 g / mol)

AM1100 (allyl monomer of polyethylene glycol methyl ether of molar mass 1,100g / mol)

Once the temperature is reached, 3.233 g of thermal initiator (2.2'-

Azobis (isobutyronitrile, V64) are added to the reaction medium. After solubilization of the powder, 25.88 g of maleic anhydride are added over time over about 20 minutes. Nitrogen bubbling is maintained for a few more minutes and then reduced to simple sweeping for the rest of the reaction time. The reaction is stopped after 2 hours.

EXAMPLE 6

Preparation of the copolymer 6

Maleic anhydride 4.67 g

49.88 g statistic, terminated in hydroxy group of molar mass

1800 g / mol)

Once the temperature is reached, 0.45 g of thermal initiator (2,2'-

Azobis (isobutyronitrile, V64) are added to the reaction medium. After solubilization of the powder, the nitrogen bubbling is maintained for a few minutes and then reduced to a simple sweep for the rest of the reaction time. The reaction is stopped after 2 hours.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE Preparation of the Allyl Polymer Without Hydrophobic Groups

In a two-phase (19/26) 10OmL flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer, surmounted by a refrigerant and a nitrogen inerting and placed in an oil bath thermostated, we charge:

Maleic anhydride 0.40 g

AM 1100 (allyl monomer of polyethylene glycol methyl ether

35.55 g of molar mass 1,100 g / mol)

Once the temperature is reached, 0.4801 g of thermal initiator (2,2'-Azobis (isobutyronitrile, V64) are added to the reaction medium After solubilization of the powder, 3.9 g of maleic anhydride are added over time over 20 minutes. The nitrogen bubbling is maintained for a few minutes and then reduced to a simple sweep for the remainder of the reaction time.The reaction is stopped after 2 hours.

Evaluation of copolymers

Copolymers in aqueous solution at about 20% by weight obtained above were tested as a plasticizer for hydraulic compositions. The hydraulic composition is a self-placing mortar formula. The cement is the CEM I 52.5 of Saint Pierre la Cour (Supplier: Lafarge). The tests were carried out with the copolymers prepared from Examples 1 to 5 and, for comparison, with a copolymer prepared according to the comparative example and a commercial PCP superplasticizer (OPTIMA 203).

In order to neutralize any foaming effect of the copolymers, a dose of tributyl phosphate (1% relative to the copolymer solution) is added at the same time as the copolymer in the mixing water.

a) Preparation of mortar The mortar was prepared as follows:

In the bowl of a mixer (Perrier BA 008) was introduced 1350.4 g of ISO standard sand. Then, 6% by weight was added to the sand of wetting by mixing at a speed of about 140 rpm within 30 seconds. The mixture was continued for 30 seconds before allowing the mass to stand for 4 minutes. Then, 624.9 g of cement and 412.1 g of calcareous filler (Origin: ERBRAY supplied by MEAC) were introduced and then kneaded for 1 minute before adding the mixing water and the specified dosage of adjuvant, while kneading. After these steps, mixing was continued for another 2 minutes at 280 rpm.

b) Rheological monitoring Rheological monitoring was tested using micro-concrete tests. This test consists of following the spreading of a mortar on a glass plate at different times after preparation of the mortar.

The amount of adjuvant is dosed so as to obtain sufficient initial fluidification, that is to say a spreading value of 320 to 350 mm. The initial dosage is indicated in% by weight (of dry polymer) relative to the weight of cement.

The initial deadline is 5 minutes after adding the cement to the wet sand mix. After measuring the diameter of the mortar disc, the sample is recovered while waiting for the following measurements, made at 15, 30, 60 and 90 minutes. At these same times, the flow time of the mortar is also measured through a frustoconical funnel, having a diameter of 150 mm at the base and 17 mm at the top, and having two marks separated by 60 mm, the first being lying 12 mm from the base.

The viscosity of the mortar corresponds to the value in seconds of the time required for the mortar to flow through the funnel of mark 1 to mark 2.

The results obtained are shown in Table 1 below.

It is found that the copolymers based on maleic and allylic monomers having hydrophobic groups in the side chains have a capacity to reduce the viscosity of mortar formulations while maintaining a very good maintainability of workability.

Indeed, it is found that even a small presence of hydrophobic groups has a significant effect on the viscosity. Table 1

Time (min)

Dosage example *

5 15 30 60 90

Spreading 335 325 330 320 315

Example 1 0.33 Viscosity (s) 15 16 18 21 24

Spreading 330 315 310 305 290

Example 2 0.40 Viscosity (s) 14 17 20 21 25

Spreading 335 330 325 310 295

Example 3 0.32 Viscosity (s) 14 15 17 20 24

Spreading 325 320 310 300 280

Example 4 0.25 Viscosity (s) 14 17 20 25 30

Spreading 330 320 310 300 280

Example 5 0.22 Viscosity (s) 15 17 20 24 29

Spreading 340 330 335 335 325

Example 6 0.38 Viscosity (s) 13 14 16 19 20

Example Spreading 345 335 325 310 300

0.19 comparative Viscosity (s) 16 19 21 24 29

Spreading 330 335 340 350 345

OPTIMA ^® 203 0.41 Viscosity (s) 25 27 30 36 43

in% by weight / weight of cement 1

Claims

1. Use of copolymers comprising a main chain obtained essentially from maleic monomers and allylic monomers, and polyoxyalkyl type side chains containing statistically distributed hydrophobic units, as an adjuvant to lower the viscosity of hydraulic compositions, characterized in that the allyl monomers have the following formula (IIa):

CH ₂ = C (R ⁶ ) CH ₂ -R ⁷ (IIa)

in which:

R ⁶ is hydrogen or a straight or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and

R ⁷ is a group -Z- (R ³ O) _m (R ⁴ O) _n R ⁵ where Z is O or NH, and R ³ and R ⁴ are independently of each other an alkylene group having 2 , 3 or 4 carbon atoms, m is a number from 1 to 50, n is a number from 1 to 50 and R ⁵ is hydrogen or methyl, ethyl or propyl.

2. Use according to claim 1, wherein the copolymer comprises maleic units of formula (I) below:

in which: R ¹ and R ² are independently of each other a group -Z-

(R ³ O) _m (R ⁴ O) _n R ⁵ wherein Z is O or NH, and R ³ and R ⁴ are independently of each other an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably ethylene or propylene, m is a number from 0 to 250, n is a number from 0 to 250, and R ⁵ is hydrogen or a straight or branched alkyl having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably a methyl or, when m and n are 0, R ⁵ is H or a mono- or divalent metal or an ammonium group, the substituents R ¹ and R ² can also be interconnected and represent oxygen to form the anhydride.

3. Use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the copolymer is obtainable by radical polymerization of a maleic monomer of formula (Ia) below:

in which :

R ⁵ is hydrogen or straight or branched alkyl having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably methyl or, when m and n are 0, R ⁵ is a mono- or divalent metal or an ammonium group, the substituents R ¹ and R ² may also be interconnected and represent oxygen to form the anhydride; with an allyl monomer of formula (IIa) as defined in claim 1.

4. Use according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the maleic monomer is selected from the group of maleic acid, maleic anhydride, hemi-esters of maleic acid with alcohols, glycols or amines having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally alkoxylated with 1 to 250 alkoxypolyalkylene units.

5. Use according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the maleic monomer comprises 10 to 100% by weight of maleic anhydride.

6. Use according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the allyl monomer is of formula (IIa) wherein R ⁶ is hydrogen.

7. Use according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the allyl monomer is an allylalcohol having 10 to 30 oxyethylene units and at least one oxypropylene unit.

8. Use according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the copolymer is used in the form of aqueous solution.

9. Use according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the copolymer is used in solution at a concentration of 5 to 40%, preferably 10 to 30% by dry weight.

10. Use according to one of claims 1 to 9 for the lowering of the viscosity of concrete compositions having an E / C ratio greater than 0.45.

1. Use according to one of claims 1 to 10 for lowering the viscosity of self-leveling / self-compacting concrete compositions.