Abstract: Superplasticizers for cementitious compositions are produced from a raw material mixture of (1) naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate and (2) free sulfuric acid using a 1-step process or a 2-step process. In the 1-step process, the mixture is neutralized with a zinc compound such as zinc oxide to a pH of about 2 to obtain a superplasticizer mixture of the free acid of the naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate and zinc sulfate. In the 2-step process, the mixture is first neutralized with a zinc compound such as zinc oxide to a pH of about 2 and then with a base such as sodium hydroxide to a pH of about 6 to obtain a superplasticizer mixture of the sodium salt of the naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate and zinc sulfate. These superplasticizer mixtures are superior to a low salt content commercial sodium salt of a naphthalenesulfonic acid formaldehyde condensate where sodium sulfate content has been reduced by lime treatment.

Abstract: Additives for cementitious compositions which are mixtures of (1) salts such as the sodium salt of a condensation product of naphthalenesulfonic acid and formaldehyde and (2) zinc salts increase compressive strengths and reduce water contents of hardened cementitious compositions. Useful additives include mixtures of from 65% to about 75% by weight of a sodium salt of a condensation product of naphthalenesulfonic acid and formaldehyde and from about 25 to about 35% by weight of a zinc salt such as zinc sulfate, zinc chloride, zinc acetate or the like. Effective amounts of these additives are added to cementitious compositions to improve their properties. Addition of effective amounts of these mixtures in cementitious strengths from 25 to 30% greater over those obtained with a sodium salt of the condensation product.

Abstract: Byproduct ammonium ions remaining in an aqueous solution of a water soluble glucoheptonate salt after its synthesis are reacted with the free acid form of a naphthalenesulfonic acid-formaldehyde condensation product to obtain an aqueous composition which does not produce an ammonia odor when introduced into aqueous media having a pH above 9. The aqueous composition can be dried to obtain a flowable powder. Both the aqueous composition and flowable powder are useful as additives in industrial products. They may be used to prolong the time of hydration of cement.

Abstract: Addition of sodium naphthaleneformaldehyde sulfonate to phosphate rock slurry in manufacture of phosphoric acid by the wet process permits reduction of the viscosity and/or water content of the slurry so that increased pumpability of the slurry is obtained.

Abstract: Addition of sodium naphthaleneformaldehyde sulfonate having a lowest elution volume of from about 61 to about 70% of a total elution volume by gel permeation chromatography to the raw mix slurry used in manufacture of cement by the wet process permits reduction of the water content of the raw mix slurry and conservation of the amount of fuel required to evaporate the water from the slurry during manufacture.