Influence of Cellulose Ether on Properties of Premixed Mortar Based on Orthogonal Test Method

To promote energy efficiency, emission reduction, and green low-carbon development, this study investigates the influence of cellulose ether (CE) content and its interactions with supplementary materials, including stone powder (SP), manufactured sand (MS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and bentonite (BT), on the performance of premixed mortar using an L16(45) orthogonal experimental design. The effects of five factors at four levels were analyzed, focusing on mortar workability and compressive strength. Results showed that CE content significantly affected consistency, water retention, and compressive strength (p < 0.01). A 60% increase in CE led to a 4.7% reduction in flowability, a 2.05% improvement in water retention, and an 18.49% decrease in compressive strength. Response surface methodology identified optimal compositions for each property. The CE-BT interaction influenced consistency (R2 = 0.6894), while CE-PVA interactions affected water retention (R2 = 0.9336). A ternary model for compressive strength (CE-SP-MS) showed that SP and MS replacements had significant negative effects, with optimal SP replacement at 10%. PVA at 0.04% effectively inhibited plastic shrinkage cracking. The study provides predictive models for mortar performance, aiding in the optimization of premixed mortar formulations.