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Title: Effects of magnesium sulfate concentration on the sulfate resistance of mortars with and without silica fume

Journal Article · · Cement and Concrete Research
 [1]; ; ;  [2]
  1. Akdeniz Univ., Antalya (Turkey)
  2. Yildiz Technical Univ., Istanbul (Turkey)

An investigation was carried out on the resistance of mortars to magnesium sulfate attack. Experiments were carried out on portland cement (PC) and portland cement-silica fume (PC-SF) mortars. Mortars were immersed in magnesium sulfate solutions after 28 days of lime-saturated water curing. Concentrations were 1900, 13,000 and 52,000 mg/L as SO{sub 4}{sup {minus}2} solutions. A number of physical and mechanical properties were determined at different periods of exposure up to 300 days. For the first 28 days of exposure, some improvements of mortar properties in magnesium sulfate environment were observed. This is the early stage of sulfate attack. Thereafter, negative changes of the properties indicate a transition stage. Deterioration process of mortars was retarded by the presence of silica fume. After the transition stage, negative changes of physical properties accelerate, indicating the later stage. Compressive and flexural strength properties showed different response to magnesium sulfate attack at later stage. Only in 52,000 mg/L concentration, all the measured properties showed clear negative changes.

OSTI ID:
511878
Journal Information:
Cement and Concrete Research, Vol. 27, Issue 2; Other Information: PBD: Feb 1997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English