P-120 Superplasticizer
$21.50 - $295.50
OPTIMUM 380 Premium Superplasticizer
$68.00 - $2,960.00
Optimum 380 Premium Superplasticizer
High-Performance PCE Superplasticizer for GFRC, UHPC, SCC & Precast Concrete
Fishstone Optimum 380 is a high-performance liquid polycarboxylate ether (PCE) superplasticizer designed to produce highly flowable concrete while significantly reducing water demand.
Optimum 380 provides excellent dispersion of cementitious materials, allowing concrete mixes to achieve increased flow and workability without adding excess water. It is particularly well suited for GFRC, self-consolidating concrete (SCC), UHPC-style mixes, architectural precast, concrete countertops, furniture, sinks, and other high-performance concrete applications.
Why Use Optimum 380?
Optimum 380 helps produce fluid, workable concrete while maintaining a low water-to-cementitious ratio. Depending on the mix design, benefits can include:
- Increased flow and self-consolidating characteristics
- Reduced water demand
- Improved consolidation and surface quality
- Higher strength potential through lower water-to-cementitious ratios
- Easier placement in detailed molds and complex shapes
- Improved dispersion of cementitious materials
- Excellent performance in GFRC and high-performance concrete mixes
Recommended Starting Dosage
20 fluid ounces per 100 lb of cementitious material
Metric: approximately 1.3 liters per 100 kg of cementitious material
The optimum dosage will vary with the materials and mix design. Trial batching is recommended to establish the final dosage.
Dosage & Mix Design
Optimum 380 is a high-efficiency superplasticizer, and dosage requirements can vary significantly between concrete mixes. Aggregate gradation, particle-size distribution, fines content, cement chemistry, supplementary cementitious materials, water-to-cementitious ratio, temperature, and desired flow can all influence the amount required.
For this reason, we recommend beginning near the typical dosage and adjusting through trial batching to achieve the desired consistency and flow.
More is not always better. Excessive superplasticizer dosage can cause segregation, extended set times, or other undesirable changes in fresh concrete behavior.
Particle Packing Matters
Optimum 380 performs especially well in engineered concrete mixes containing fine sands, mineral fillers, and supplementary cementitious materials. Particle packing and overall gradation can have a significant effect on superplasticizer demand.
Well-optimized particle distributions can often achieve excellent flow at relatively low admixture dosages, while other combinations of aggregates, fillers, and cementitious materials may require higher dosage levels. Final dosage should always be established using the materials that will actually be used in production.
Recommended Applications
- GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete)
- Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC)
- UHPC and UHPC-style concrete
- Architectural precast concrete
- Concrete countertops
- Concrete sinks and furniture
- Thin-section concrete
- Highly flowable casting mixes
- Low water-to-cementitious ratio concrete
How to Use Optimum 380
Add Optimum 380 during mixing and allow sufficient mixing time for the admixture to fully disperse throughout the cementitious system.
When developing a new mix, establish the desired water-to-cementitious ratio first and use Optimum 380 to obtain the required workability rather than adding additional water simply to increase flow.
Make dosage adjustments gradually. Small changes in PCE dosage can produce significant changes in flow, particularly in highly optimized mixes.
Optimum 380 Frequently Asked Questions
What is Optimum 380?
Optimum 380 is a liquid PCE (polycarboxylate ether) superplasticizer for concrete. It is used to increase concrete flow and workability while allowing the mix to maintain a low water-to-cementitious ratio.
How much Optimum 380 should I use?
A typical starting dosage is 20 fluid ounces per 100 lb of cementitious material, or approximately 1.3 liters per 100 kg. Actual dosage depends on the cement, pozzolans, aggregate gradation, fines, water content, temperature, and desired flow. Trial batching is recommended.
Can Optimum 380 be used in GFRC?
Yes. Optimum 380 is well suited for GFRC and can be used to produce highly flowable GFRC mixes at low water-to-cementitious ratios. It is particularly useful in premix GFRC and other flowable casting mixes.
Can Optimum 380 be used for UHPC?
Optimum 380 can be used in UHPC and UHPC-style mix designs where high particle dispersion, low water content, and high flow are required. Because UHPC formulations vary considerably, dosage should be established through trial batching.
Is Optimum 380 good for self-consolidating concrete?
Yes. Optimum 380 is designed for applications requiring high flow and is well suited for self-consolidating concrete (SCC) and highly flowable architectural precast mixes.
Does superplasticizer make concrete stronger?
A superplasticizer does not automatically make concrete stronger. Its primary benefit is allowing increased flow with less mixing water. Reducing the water-to-cementitious ratio while maintaining proper workability can contribute to higher strength and improved concrete performance.
Can I use Optimum 380 instead of adding more water?
In many high-performance concrete mixes, yes. Optimum 380 is used to increase flow and workability without relying on additional water. Maintaining a controlled water-to-cementitious ratio is particularly important in GFRC, UHPC, SCC, and architectural precast concrete.
Why does the required dosage vary between concrete mixes?
Superplasticizer demand is affected by cement chemistry, supplementary cementitious materials, aggregate gradation, particle-size distribution, fines, pigments, water content, temperature, and other admixtures. Therefore, two concrete mixes can require different Optimum 380 dosages even when they contain the same amount of cementitious material.
Can too much Optimum 380 be used?
Yes. Overdosing a PCE superplasticizer can result in excessive flow, segregation, delayed setting, or other undesirable changes in fresh concrete. Increase dosage gradually and verify performance with trial batches.
Does Optimum 380 work with white cement?
Optimum 380 can be used in mixes containing white Portland cement. Because cement chemistry varies by manufacturer and production source, trial batching should be used to determine the appropriate dosage and confirm the desired flow and setting characteristics.
Need help with your mix design?
Fishstone has more than 20 years of experience developing materials and mix designs for GFRC, architectural concrete, concrete countertops, and high-performance concrete. Contact us if you need assistance selecting an admixture or establishing a starting dosage for your application.
Click here for Optimum 380 data sheet
Related Products
Reviews
-
Works GREAT
This is the first time I have applied this type of chemistry to cement mixes and I have to say that this works about twice as good as I was planning. I am very pleased.
-
works well, easy to use
we use this to mix with rapid set cement all while doing leveling and sloping projects. buying this chemical in bulk comes out more cost effective than buying the individual bags of rapid set flow control however it does require a higher dosage to get the same affect. as with all plasticizers, it has to be mixed for at least 3 minutes sometimes more to get it to fully activate and work as intended
-
Great product
Works great. Fast and reasonable shipping. Will definitely buy again
-
Super plasticizer
Great product wouldn’t wanna work without it