Experimental Assessment of the Effect of Plasticizing and Air-Entraining Additives on Mechanical Properties of Refractory Cement Composite

Abstract

This article is focusing on comparison of plasticizing and air-entraining additives and their effect on mechanical properties of composite based on aluminous cement. Achieved results supposed to help during the development of lightweight composite able to withstand temperatures over 1000 °C and reduce heat transfer from a high temperature source, either by direct contact (conduction/convection) or via radiation. Operation at high temperature is of fundamental importance to many major sectors of industry, including material production and processing, chemical engineering, power generation and more. Objective is to achieve competitive performance with competitive life cycle costs. Maximum material efficiency and minimum manufacturing and operating costs are key factors in meeting this objective. Selection of a materials with sufficient economic conditions for a particular application must take account of many factors. For the purpose of this experiment, specimens were created from cement paste and different dosage of chopped carbon fibres. Experimental investigation underwent two series of samples different in the type of used additives. First series contains plasticizing additive, second series contains air-entraining additive. The purpose was to determine the different effect on the workability of fresh mixture, bulk density and mechanical properties. The strength of samples was measured after exposure to high temperatures of 600 °C and 1000 °C. The residual properties were compared between each other and also to samples dried at the temperature of 105 °C. Obtained results revealed the level of influence of mentioned additives on the composition of studied refractory composite.