Before PCE (polycarboxylate ether) became dominant, PNS was the standard superplasticiser for high-strength and flowing concrete — and it remains widely specified in GCC precast operations, concrete product manufacturing, and applications where its interaction with cement is well-characterised.
Technical specifications
| PARAMETER | SPECIFICATION | TEST METHOD |
|---|---|---|
| CAS Number | 9084-06-4 | — |
| Chemical Type | Sodium salt of polynaphthalene sulphonate condensate | — |
| Appearance (liquid) | Dark brown viscous liquid | Visual |
| Appearance (powder) | Light brown to beige powder | Visual |
| Solids Content (liquid) | 38 – 42 % | ISO 3251 |
| pH | 7.0 – 9.5 | — |
| Sulphate Content (as SO₃) | ≤ 2.0 % | Gravimetric |
| Chloride Content | ≤ 0.1 % | Volhard |
| Water Reduction | 12 – 25 % | ASTM C494 |
| Compliance | ASTM C494 Type A/F, BS EN 934-2 | — |
| Shelf Life | 12 months sealed | — |
| HS Code | 3824.40 |
Applications
- Precast Concrete — Rapid Demould — PNS is the standard superplasticiser in GCC precast operations (blocks, pipes, piles, prestressed elements) where high early strength and controlled set time are required for efficient demould and production cycling.
- Concrete Masonry Products — Used in zero-slump concrete block and paving block production to improve mix workability and compaction without water addition — maintaining high density and strength in machine-compacted products.
- High-Strength Concrete (HSC) — Provides water reduction of 15–20% at standard dosage in GCC HSC mixes (≥ C50 grade) — increases 28-day compressive strength significantly vs non-plasticised control.
- Oil Well Cementing — Powdered PNS is widely used as a dispersant/water reducer in API cement slurries for ADNOC, Aramco, QatarEnergy, and KOC well cementing operations — compatible with oil well cement at high temperatures and pressures.
- Refractories & Ceramics — Powdered PNS used as a pressing and casting deflocculant in ceramic and refractory manufacturing across GCC industrial operations.
Key properties
- Proven, well-characterised performance in GCC cement types
- Water reduction 12–25% at standard dosage
- Good compatibility with most GCC Portland and blended cements
- Predictable dose-response curve — reliable performance in production
- Available in liquid and powder forms for different application requirements
- Low chloride content — reinforcement safe
- Compatible with retarders (sodium gluconate) and AEA
- Lower cost than PCE — preferred where PCE performance level is not required
Usage and recommendations
Dosage: 0.5–2.0% by weight of cement (liquid at 40% solids). Above 2.0% provides limited additional benefit and may cause set retardation. For most GCC standard concrete, PCE (polycarboxylate ether) provides superior water reduction at lower dosage — PNS is preferred for precast, concrete products, and oilfield applications where its specific performance characteristics are required. Contact Raykem for combined PNS + sodium gluconate dosage recommendations for GCC summer precast operations.
Packaging
- 200 kg Drums (liquid)
- IBC 1,000 kg
- 25 kg Bags (powder grade)
Storage and shelf life
Liquid: store at 5–40°C in sealed drums. Avoid freezing — may cause viscosity increase (usually reversible on warming). Powder: store in sealed bags in a dry warehouse. Shelf life: 12 months.