Concrete & Gypsum Additive UAE & KSA Stock COA + SDS Supplied CIF / FOB Available Dubai & Riyadh

Tartaric Acid & Citric Acid — Concrete & Gypsum Retarders | GCC

CAS No: 87-69-4 · HS Code: 2918.12

Tartaric Acid (L-(+)-Tartaric Acid, CAS 87-69-4) and Citric Acid (CAS 77-92-9) are natural hydroxy-carboxylic acids used as set retarders in cementitious and gypsum-based construction products across the GCC. 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.

Quick Specifications

CAS Number87-69-4
HS Code2918.12
Tartaric Acid CAS87-69-4 (L-(+)-Tartaric Acid)
Tartaric Acid Purity≥ 99.5 %
Tartaric Acid AppearanceWhite crystalline powder
Tartaric Acid Solubility133 g/100mL water @ 20°C

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Technical Specifications

PARAMETER SPECIFICATION TEST METHOD
Tartaric Acid CAS87-69-4 (L-(+)-Tartaric Acid)
Tartaric Acid Purity≥ 99.5 %Titrimetric
Tartaric Acid AppearanceWhite crystalline powderVisual
Tartaric Acid Solubility133 g/100mL water @ 20°C
Citric Acid CAS77-92-9 (Anhydrous)
Citric Acid Purity≥ 99.5 %Titrimetric
Citric Acid AppearanceWhite crystalline powder or granulesVisual
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 Life24 months in sealed bags

Applications — UAE, Saudi Arabia & GCC

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.

Usage & 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 Available

25 Kgs PP Woven Bags / Multi-Wall Paper Bags
500 Kgs Supersacks

Storage & 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.

Need TDS or SDS Documentation?

Full Certificate of Analysis (COA), Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS), and Technical Data Sheet (TDS) supplied with every shipment from Dubai or Riyadh.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Tartaric acid is the more widely used and generally preferred gypsum retarder — it is highly soluble, fast-acting, and provides a consistent, predictable retardation curve. Citric acid is slightly less soluble and provides a somewhat gentler, longer retardation tail — some formulators prefer citric acid when very long working times are needed. In GCC practice, tartaric acid (0.05–0.2% on gypsum) is the standard specification for machine-applied gypsum plaster. For combined cement-gypsum systems and oilfield cementing, citric acid may be preferred due to its compatibility with calcium aluminate phases. Contact Raykem for a product recommendation specific to your gypsum source and application requirements.