| abstract |
A method of controlling the hydration of a cementitious composition comprising the steps of: i) providing a cementitious composition containing an amount of a neutralized salt of an alpha-monohydroxy carboxylic acid effective to retard the cementitious composition, said carboxylic acid containing two or more carboxylic acid groups, and subsequently, ii) adding an additional amount of said neutralized salt of an alpha monohydroxy carboxylic acid or a second neutralized salt of an alpha monohydroxy carboxylic acid in an amount sufficient to activate hydration of the retarded cementitious composition, said cementitious composition comprising hydraulic binder and water. |