Synthesis and properties of AMPS/MA/HEMA terpolymer retarder for oil well cement

Abstract

Maleic acid (MA), hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) were used to create the retarder JT-1. FTIR was used to characterize the retarding agent’s structure, XPS, GPC, and TG were used to determine the polymer’s elemental composition and molecular weight, and TG was used to determine the polymer’s thermal stability. The results show that the molecule contains the desired functional groups, that the temperature at which pyrolysis began was 276 °C, and that performance stability occurred at 130 °C. The thickening curve does not exhibit a “bulge” or “step” phenomena, and the thickening time complies with high temperature pumping safety standards. Additionally, it can guarantee the development of cement’s compressive strength at low temperatures, has great temperature adaptability, and works well with the G33S water loss reducer in terms of compatibility and dispersion. The retarder molecules were found to create a layer of adsorption with a specific thickness on the surface of cement particles. This layer resulted in a reduction in the concentration of Ca2+ in the solution through complexation. As a consequence, the hydration process of the cement was delayed, leading to an extended thickening time. These results were attained by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques in the research that was done.