In this paper, an experimental study describing the coupling between temperature and external sulphate attacks on cementitious materials is performed. Cubic mortar specimens made of three types of cement, and two types of sand, i.e. silica sand and limestone sand. The mortars prepared, were then immersed in a 5% MgSO4 solution, at 5, 20 and 50 °C, for 12 months. No damage was observed on the samples exposed to the sulphate solution at 20, and 50 °C. However, serious damage was noted on mortars made with silica sand exposed to the previous solution at 5 °C. Moreover, XRD traces indicated that the formation of thaumasite and ettringite are responsible for the sulfate deterioration of mortars. The samples with limestone sand, at various temperatures; they showed better resistance against sulphate attacks compared to samples with silica sand. The results show that magnesium sulphate attacks at low temperatures are much faster than high temperatures.
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