In dry-mix mortars, gypsum plasters, and self-levelling compounds where precise control of working time is essential under GCC's high ambient temperatures, these food-grade organic acids provide clean, predictable retardation without the undesirable side effects of some synthetic retarders.
Technical specifications
| PARAMETER | SPECIFICATION | TEST METHOD |
|---|---|---|
| Tartaric Acid CAS | 87-69-4 (L-(+)-Tartaric Acid) | — |
| Tartaric Acid Purity | ≥ 99.5 % | Titrimetric |
| Tartaric Acid Appearance | White crystalline powder | Visual |
| Tartaric Acid Solubility | 133 g/100mL water @ 20°C | — |
| Citric Acid CAS | 77-92-9 (Anhydrous) | — |
| Citric Acid Purity | ≥ 99.5 % | Titrimetric |
| Citric Acid Appearance | White crystalline powder or granules | Visual |
| pH (1% solution, both) | 2.0 – 3.5 | — |
| Typical Addition Level (gypsum) | 0.05 – 0.3% by weight of gypsum | — |
| Typical Addition Level (cement) | 0.01 – 0.10% by weight of cement | — |
| Shelf Life | 24 months in sealed bags | — |
| HS Code | 2918.12 |
Applications
- Gypsum Plaster Set Retardation — Tartaric acid is the standard retarder in machine-applied and hand-applied gypsum plasters across GCC. Gypsum sets very rapidly (5–10 min without retarder) — tartaric acid extends working time to 60–120 min at 0.05–0.2% addition, essential for machine spray application and finishing on large GCC commercial building interiors.
- Self-Levelling Gypsum Underlayments — Controls set time of gypsum-based self-levelling floor compounds — extends flow time for adequate self-levelling coverage on large GCC commercial floor areas before set begins.
- Anhydrite & Alpha Hemi-Hydrate Systems — Tartaric acid retards anhydrite and alpha-hemihydrate gypsum systems used in high-strength screeds and industrial floors — critical for pump-applied systems across GCC logistics hubs and industrial facilities.
- Cement-Gypsum Blended Mortars — In cement-gypsum blended renders and plasters (common in GCC interior applications), tartaric/citric acid manages the rapid set of the gypsum component while cement continues hydration normally.
- Oilfield Cement Retarder — Citric acid is used as a retarder in API Class G and H oilfield cement slurries for shallow-to-medium depth wells across GCC oilfields — biodegradable and compatible with all standard oilfield cement types.
Key properties
- Clean, predictable retardation — no undesirable side effects on strength
- Food-grade purity — environmentally acceptable, biodegradable
- Tartaric acid: highly soluble, fast-dissolving in mix water
- Citric acid: slightly less soluble, gentler retardation profile
- Compatible with all standard gypsum and cement binder systems
- Does not affect final compressive strength when correctly dosed
- Non-corrosive to mixing equipment
- Stable dry powder — long shelf life
Usage and recommendations
For gypsum plaster: tartaric acid is preferred. Start at 0.05% by gypsum weight and increase by 0.025% increments until target working time is achieved. In GCC summer conditions, higher addition is needed (0.10–0.25%) to compensate for temperature acceleration. Do not overdose — excess tartaric acid can cause surface dusting and strength reduction. For cement retardation: sodium gluconate is generally more effective and predictable than tartaric acid — use tartaric/citric for gypsum and combined cement-gypsum systems. Contact Raykem for dosage trials with your specific gypsum source.
Packaging
- 25 kg PP Woven Bags / Multi-Wall Paper Bags
- 500 kg Supersacks
Storage and shelf life
Store in sealed bags at ambient temperature (< 40°C) in a dry warehouse. Both are crystalline and non-hazardous. Shelf life: 24 months.