Open Access

Sisal fibers (SF) and polycarboxylate superplasticizers (PCE) contribute to the sustainable development of cementitious materials by improving and optimizing their hardening properties. In this study, the impact of SF and PCE on the workability of cement pastes was investigated. The workability was evaluated through spreading diameter, yield stress, and plastic viscosity measurements, and the adsorption behavior of PCE was analyzed. The results showed that the introduction of SF had a negative effect on the workability of PCE plasticized cement pastes, reducing flowability and increasing yield stress and plastic viscosity, regardless of aspect ratio or dosage. A contact angle tester and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) were employed to examine the surface properties of SF. The mechanism behind this interaction of cement-PCE-SF was explored and found to be due to the rough surface of SF, which increased the consumption of PCE, and the formation of hydrogen bonds between PCE and SF. Additionally, PCE modified the interfacial structure between SF and the cement matrix, strengthening the relationship between the different phases. These findings provide new insights into the modification of fiber-reinforced cementitious materials.