Physicochemical characterization of polymer composite cement systems

Abstract

The early hydration behaviour of two different polymer composites cement systems (PCCS) that hypothetically affects efflorescence has been investigated through physicochemical characterization namely Puddle Test (PT), Standard Chemical Method (SCM), Compressive Strength Test (CS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). PCCS mortar samples were prepared with water-to-cement ratio (w/c) of 0.50. Commercially available polymer additives namely Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) and Styrene Acrylic Ester (SAE) with different percentages of addition of 5%, 7% and 10% to cement were used. All samples were dried cured and tested at day 28. Efflorescence was accelerated by using PT. Its intensity, in terms of the amount of Calcium Carbonate (CaCO 3 ) precipitated on samples' surfaces, was quantified by using SEM. Results of the PCCS were then compared to the conventional cement system. Based on this study, PCCS can potentially reduce efflorescence where validation from CS, XRD analysis and SEM images showed that the evidence of the pore blocking effects of PCCS in early hydration hence can indirectly improve concrete durability and sustainability.

Microstructural characterization of catalysis product of nanocement based materials: A review

“…NS particles act as nucleation sites to accelerate the hydration [26]. Due to high surface area and spherical shape, NS can enhance performance of cementbased material due to pozzolanic reaction of silica with calcium hydroxide, CH to form additional calcium silicate hydrate, C-S-H which represent the strength of cement-based product [27].As the most widely investigated of nano material in cement and concrete research, NS was found to be effective in enhancing the hydration process [28], the mechanical properties [29], and the durability [30] of cement-based material to a great extent.…”