scholarly journals Effects of Quartz Powder on the Microstructure and Key Properties of Cement Paste

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Run-Sheng Lin ◽  
Xiao-Yong Wang ◽  
Gui-Yu Zhang

This paper compares the effects of the water-to-binder (w/b) ratio and quartz contents on the properties of cement–quartz paste. The w/b ratios of the paste mixtures specimens are 0.5 and 0.2, and the quartz powder contents are 0, 10, and 20%. At the age of 1, 3, 7, and 28 days, compressive strength test, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), isothermal calorimetry, and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis were performed. The experimental results show that the quartz powder mainly has the dilution effect and crystal nucleation effect on cement hydration, and the addition of quartz powder does not change the type of hydration product. The effect of quartz powder on cement hydration is closely related to the w/b ratio. In the case of a low w/b ratio of 0.2, the addition of quartz powder did not impair the compressive strength of paste. For different w/b ratios (0.5 and 0.2) and various quartz powder contents (0, 10, and 20%) at different ages (1, 3, 7, and 28 days), there is a uniform linear relationship between strength and porosity. Similarly, there is a uniform linear relationship between chemically bound water and calcium hydroxide, between heat of hydration and compressive strength, and between chemically bound water and compressive strength. At the same time, the effect of the partial replacement of cement by quartz powder on sustainability is considered in this paper.

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Run-Sheng Lin ◽  
Xiao-Yong Wang ◽  
Han-Seung Lee ◽  
Hyeong-Kyu Cho

Calcined Hwangtoh (HT) clay is a very promising supplementary cementitious material (SCM). In this work, the development of the mechanical properties and microstructures of HT-blended cement paste was studied after substituting the binder with HT powder calcined at 800 °C. The water-to-binder (w/b) ratios of the paste used were 0.2 and 0.5, and the quantities of HT powder added to the mixture were 0, 10, and 20%. The compressive strength test indicates that the addition of the HT powder increases the compressive strength of the paste after seven days of curing, and the highest compressive strength is obtained with the 10% HT substitution, regardless of whether the w/b ratio is 0.5 or 0.2. X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) analysis show that the HT powder not only has a physical effect (i.e., nucleation effect and dilution effect) on cement hydration but also has a chemical effect (i.e., chemical reaction of HT). The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) analysis show that the paste has more ettringite during the early stage, and the microstructure is refined after the addition of the HT powder. In addition, the relationships between chemically bound water, hydration heat, and compressive strength are presented.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 370-380
Author(s):  
David Sinkhonde ◽  
Richard Ocharo Onchiri ◽  
Walter Odhiambo Oyawa ◽  
John Nyiro Mwero

Background: Investigations on the use of waste clay brick powder in concrete have been extensively conducted, but the analysis of waste clay brick powder effects on cement paste is limited. Materials and Methods: This paper discusses the effects of waste clay brick powder on cement paste. Fragmented clay bricks were grounded in the laboratory using a ball mill and incorporated into cementitious mixes as partial replacement of Ordinary Portland Cement. Workability, consistency, setting time, density and compressive strength properties of paste mixes were investigated to better understand the impact of waste clay brick powder on the cementitious paste. Four cement replacement levels of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% were evaluated in comparison with the control paste. The chemical and mineral compositions were evaluated using X-Ray Fluorescence and X-Ray Diffractometer, respectively. The morphology of cement and waste clay brick powder was examined using a scanning electron microscope. Results: The investigation of workability exhibited a reduction of slump attributed to the significant addition of waste clay brick powder into the cementitious mixes, and it was concluded that waste clay brick powder did not significantly influence the density of the mixes. In comparison with the control paste, increased values of consistency and setting time of cement paste containing waste clay brick powder confirmed the information available in the literature. Conclusion: Although waste clay brick powder decreased the compressive strength of cement paste, 5% partial cement replacement with waste clay brick powder was established as an optimum percentage for specimens containing waste clay brick powder following curing periods of 7 and 28 days. Findings of chemical composition, mineral composition and scanning electron microscopy of waste clay brick powder demonstrated that when finely ground, fragmented clay bricks can be used in concrete as a pozzolanic material.


Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 2930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Šiler ◽  
Kolářová ◽  
Novotný ◽  
Másilko ◽  
Bednárek ◽  
...  

This work deals with the influence of zinc on cement hydration. The amount of zinc in cement has increased over recent years. This is mainly due to the utilization of solid waste and tires, which are widely used as a fuel in a rotary kiln. Zinc can also be introduced to cement through such secondary raw materials as slag, due to increased recycling of galvanized materials. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of zinc on the hydration of Portland cement, blended with ground blast furnace slag (GBFS). This effect was studied by isothermal and isoperibolic calorimetry. Both calorimetry methods are suitable for measurements during the first days of hydration. Isoperibolic calorimetry monitors the hydration process in real-life conditions, while isothermal calorimetry does so at a defined chosen temperature. Zinc was added to the cement in the form of two soluble salts, namely Zn(NO3)2, ZnCl2, and a poorly soluble compound, ZnO. The concentration of added zinc was chosen to be 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1mass percent. The amount of GBFS replacement was 15% of cement dosage. The newly formed hydration products were identified by X-ray diffraction method (XRD).


Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 3344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiyuan Zhou ◽  
Massoud Sofi ◽  
Elisa Lumantarna ◽  
Rackel San Nicolas ◽  
Gideon Hadi Kusuma ◽  
...  

To address sustainability issues by facilitating the use of high-volume fly ash (HVFA) concrete in industry, this paper investigates the early age hydration properties of HVFA binders in concrete and the correlation between hydration properties and compressive strengths of the cement pastes. A new method of calculating the chemically bound water of HVFA binders was used and validated. Fly ash (FA) types used in this study were sourced from Indonesia and Australia for comparison. The water to binder (w/b) ratio was 0.4 and FA replacement levels were 40%, 50% and 60% by weight. Isothermal calorimetry tests were conducted to study the heat of hydration which was further converted to the adiabatic temperature rise. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to explore the chemically bound water (WB) of the binders. The results showed that Australian FA pastes had higher heat of hydration, adiabatic temperature rise, WB and compressive strength compared to Indonesian FA pastes. The new method of calculating chemically bound water can be successfully applied to HVFA binders. Linear correlation could be found between the WB and compressive strength.


2019 ◽  
Vol 262 ◽  
pp. 06002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Dobiszewska ◽  
Waldemar Pichór ◽  
Paulina Szołdra

The study evaluates the use of waste basalt powder as a replacement of cement to enhance hydration of cement and mortar properties. The basalt powder is a waste resulting from preparation of aggregate used in asphalt mixture production. Previous studies have shown that analysed waste used as a fine aggregate replacement has a beneficial effect on some properties of mortar and concrete, i.e. compressive strength, flexural strength and freeze resistance. The present study shows the results of the research concerning the modification of cement paste and mortar with basalt powder. The modification consists in adding the powder waste as a partial replacement of cement. The percentages of basalt powder in this research are 0-40% and 0-20% by mass of cement in the pastes and mortars respectively. The experiments were carried out to determine the influence of basalt powder on cement hydration, as well as compressive and flexural strength. Results indicate that addition of basalt powder as a replacement of cement leads to deterioration of compressive strength. The flexural strength of mortar is improved in some cases. Waste basalt powder only slightly influences the cement hydration.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (18) ◽  
pp. 5343
Author(s):  
Jorge L. Costafreda ◽  
Domingo A. Martín ◽  
Leticia Presa ◽  
José Luis Parra

This paper shows the results of a study focused on the evolution and properties of mortars made with a mixture of portland cement (PC) and natural mordenite (Mor). To begin, samples of mordenite, cement and sand were studied with X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and granulometric analysis (GA). Next, mortars with a ratio of 75% PC and 25% mordenite were prepared to determine their initial and final setting times, consistency and density. Continuing, the density, weight and compressive strength of the specimens were determined at 2, 7, 28, 90 and 365 days. Finally, the specimens were studied using SEM, XRD and XRF. The results of the study of the mordenite sample showed a complex constitution where the major mineral component is mordenite, and to a lesser degree smectite (montmorillonite), halloysite, illite, mica, quartz, plagioclase and feldspar, in addition to altered volcanic glass. Tests with fresh cement/mordenite mortar (CMM) showed an initial setting time of 320 min and a final setting time of 420 min, much longer than the 212–310 min of portland cement mortar (PCM). It was established that the consistency of the cement/mordenite mortar (CMM) was greater than that of the PCM. The results of the density study showed that the CMM has a lower density than the PCM. On the other hand, the density of cement/mordenite specimens (CMS) was lower than that of portland cement specimens (PCS). The CMS compressive strength studies showed a significant increase from 18.2 MPa, at 2 days, to 72 MPa, at 365 days, with better strength than PCS at 28 and 365 days, respectively. XRD, XRF and SEM studies conducted on CMS showed a good development of primary and secondary tobermorite, the latter formed at the expense of portlandite; also, ettringite developed normally. This work proves that the partial replacement of PC by mordenite does not have a negative effect on the increase in the mechanical strength of CMS. It indicates that the presence of mordenite inhibits the spontaneous hydration of C3A and controls the anomalous formation of ettringite (Ett). All this, together with the mechanical strength reported, indicates that mordenite has a deep and positive influence on the evolution of the mortar setting and is an efficient pozzolan, meaning it can be used in the manufacture of mortars and highly resistant pozzolanic cement, with low hydration heat, low density, stability in extremely aggressive places and a low impact on the environment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwangwoo Wi ◽  
Han-Seung Lee ◽  
Seungmin Lim ◽  
Mohamed A. Ismail ◽  
Mohd Warid Hussin

This study investigates the effects of micropalm oil fuel ash (mPOFA) on compressive strength and pore structure of cement mortar. Various experimental techniques, such as compression test, isothermal calorimetry, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and X-ray diffraction, are performed to figure out the effect of using mPOFA as partial replacement of cement on the hydration of cement and determine its optimal replacement level to increase mechanical property of the mortar specimens. 10 wt.% of cement replacement with mPOFA is found to give the highest level of compressive strength, achieving a 23% increase over the control specimens after 3 days of curing. High K2O contents in mPOFA stimulate C3S in cement to form C-S-H at early ages, and high surface area of mPOFA acts as a nucleus to develop C-S-H. Also, small mPOFA particles and C-S-H formed by pozzolanic reaction fill the pores and lead to reduction in large capillary pores. In XRD analysis, a decrease in Ca(OH)2 and SiO2 contents with age confirmed a high pozzolanic reactivity of mPOFA.


2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (17) ◽  
pp. 2491-2503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roukaya Mejdoub ◽  
Halim Hammi ◽  
Joan Josep Suñol ◽  
Mohamed Khitouni ◽  
Adel M‘nif ◽  
...  

Nanofibrillated cellulose from eucalyptus pulp, produced by high-pressure homogenization, was used as cement partial replacement for cement paste at a content ranging from 0% to 0.5% by weight of cement. The effect of the content of nanofibrillated cellulose on porosity, thermal properties, compressive strength and degree of cement hydration was investigated. Results have shown an improvement in the compressive strength by more than 50% with 0.3 wt% of added nanofibrillated cellulose. The porosity was reduced by nanofibrillated cellulose addition, and the greatest result was achieved with mixture incorporating 0.3 wt% nanofibrillated cellulose. The coefficient of thermal expansion and the thermal conductivity measurements, relative to nanofibrillated cellulose-reinforced cement pastes, have pointed out the reinforcement effectiveness of nanofibrillated cellulose. The degree of cement hydration has increased with nanofibrillated cellulose content. This trend was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. These analyses have revealed that the presence of nanofibrillated cellulose promoted the hydration of cement, by producing more portlandite and calcium silicate gel, which is likely the main reason accounting for the strong enhancement in the compressive strength.


Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 910
Author(s):  
Sabina Dolenec ◽  
Katarina Šter ◽  
Maruša Borštnar ◽  
Klara Nagode ◽  
Andrej Ipavec ◽  
...  

This study investigated the influence of different cooling regimes on the microstructure and consequent reactivity of belite-sulfoaluminate clinkers. The cement clinkers were synthesized by incorporating secondary raw materials, such as titanogypsum and bottom ash, to the natural raw materials. Clinker phases were determined by Rietveld quantitative phase analysis, while the distribution morphology and the incorporation of substitute ions in the phases were characterized by scanning electron microscopy using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Clinker reactivity was studied using isothermal calorimetry and was additionally investigated through compressive strength, which was determined for the cement prepared from the synthesized clinkers. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that, as well as the three main phases (belite, calcium sulfoaluminate, and ferrite), the clinkers contained additional minor phases (mayenite, gehlenite, arkanite, periclase, and perovskite), the ratios of which varied according to the cooling regime utilized. Microscopic observations indicated that the cooling regime also influenced the crystal size and morphology of the main phases, which consequently affected clinker reactivity. Furthermore, a smaller amount of substitute elements was incorporated in the main phases when cooling was slowed. Results showed that, in comparison to clinkers cooled at slower rates, air quenched clinkers reacted faster and exhibited a higher compressive strength at 7 days.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 17-24
Author(s):  
Anuj Parashar ◽  
Shashank Bishnoi

The effect of kaolinitic calcined clay and slag on the hydration of limestone-containing ternary blended cements was investigated. The effect of alumina from different sources of SCMs was considered to activate the formation of carboaluminates. Ternary blends with 50% ordinary portland cement clinker, 45% blends of limestone calcined clay (LC2) in 1:2 blend and slag limestone blend (SLS) in 2:1 mix proportion with 5% of gypsum were studied. The hydration behaviour was analysed based on cement mortar compressive strength, heat of hydration using an isothermal calorimeter and bound water measured using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). In addition, the degree of hydration of clinker phases and the composition of calcium - alumino - silicate - hydrate (C-A-S-H) gels forming in two different systems were compared on 90 days hydrated samples analysed using X-Ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy - energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) respectively. The results show a rapid early strength development in limestone calcined clay cement blend (LC3) but a lower clinker hydration in comparison with slag limestone cement blend (SLSC) at later ages. In both the cement blends the formation of hemicarboaluminate (Hc) and monocarboaluminate (Mc) was confirmed at 90 days, but the conversion of Hc to Mc was higher in SLSC. Results further confirmed a lower degree of hydration and higher alumina incorporation in the C-A-S-H gel in the LC3 comparison to SLSC. The presence of calcium hydroxide was also confirmed in the SLSC blend due to the hydraulic nature of slag that supported the later age conversion of Hc to Mc as not seen in LC3.


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