Microstructural and microanalytical studies of sulfate attack. 3: Sulfate-resisting Portland cement -- Reactions with sodium and magnesium sulfate solutions

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Cement and Concrete Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0008-8846(95)00151-2· OSTI ID:116150

Gollop, R S; Taylor, H F.W. ^[1]

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1. Blue Circle Industries PLC, Kent (United Kingdom)

Cubes of a sulfate-resisting Portland cement (SRPC) paste that had been stored for 6 months in solutions of Na{sub 2}SO{sub 4} or MgSO{sub 4} were examined by scanning electron microscopy using backscattered electron imaging and X-ray microanalysis. The changes observed were broadly similar to those which the authors have found with a normal Portland cement (PC), but cracking and loss of material were less marked, less ettringite was formed, and decalcification of the C-S-H was much reduced. At with the PC gypsum was formed, both in veins and mixed with the C-S-H. The differences are attributed to the low content of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} in the hydration products of the SRPC, and to the fact that some of the Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} is already present as ettringite. The decreased formation of ettringite and decreased decalcification of the C-S-H in the SRPC together explain the superior resistance to sulfate attack.

• OSTI ID: 116150
• Journal Information: Cement and Concrete Research, Journal Name: Cement and Concrete Research Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 25; ISSN CCNRAI; ISSN 0008-8846
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
BACKSCATTERING
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CORROSION
CRACKS
MAGNESIUM SULFATES
MICROSTRUCTURE
PORTLAND CEMENT
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SODIUM SULFATES
X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY