Mechanical properties and reaction products of sodium sulfate activated pumice-lime cements (2015)

Abstract

The mechanical properties were evaluated and the reaction products of various pastes and mortars made from pumice (P) and slaked lime (C) in the presence of sodium sulfate (SS) as activator, exposed to different temperature levels during different time intervals were identified. Factors such as the pumice / slaked lime (P / C) ratio were evaluated, determining that as the amount of lime increased, the mechanical compressive strength (RMC) of the mortars also increased; the content of SS, determining that the RMC of the mortars decreased by increasing the content of SS from 6% to 8%; and the exposure times at various exposure temperatures, determining that by increasing the exposure times at high temperatures (90 ºC) the CMR of the mortars decreased due to water losses in the cementitious matrix. The optimal conditions that allow reaching the maximum RMC at 28 days of curing are: a mass ratio P / C of 60/40, a content by weight of 6% of SS for the cementitious mix and curing of 1 hour of exposure to 40 ° C. In addition, the presence of reaction products such as Hydrated Calcium Silicate (CSH), ettringite, portlandite and calcium carbonate was identified when analyzing the paste of the mixture with the best mechanical performance through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The bands at 3640 and 460 cm-1, corresponding to the vibrations from Ca (OH) 2 and SiO2, respectively, occurred from 1 to 28 days of curing of the optimal mix, which suggests that even after 28 days After curing, it is possible that the CMR will increase, as there is still material to react.