0000000000336421
AUTHOR
T. T. H. Bach
Influence of temperature on the hydration products of low pH cements
International audience; The chemical evolution of two hydrated "low pH" binders prepared from binary (60% Portland cement + 40% silica fume) or ternary (37.5% Portland cement +32.5% silica fume + 30% fly-ash) mixtures was characterized over one year at 20 degrees C. 50 degrees C, and 80 degrees C. The main hydrates were Al-substituted C-S-H. Raising the temperature from 20 to 80 degrees C caused a lengthening and cross-linking of their silicate chains. Ettringite that formed in pastes stored at 20 degrees C was destabilized. Only traces of calcium sulfate (gypsum and/or anhydrite) reprecipitated after one year in some materials cured at 50 degrees C and 80 degrees C. The sulfates released w…
Retention of alkali ions by hydrated low-pH cements: Mechanism and Na+/K+ selectivity
Low-pH cements, also referred to as low-alkalinity cements, can be designed by replacing significant amounts of Portland cement by pozzolanic materials. Their pore solution is characterized by a pH near 11, and an alkali concentration much lower than that of Portland cement. This work investigates the retention of sodium and potassium by a hydrated low-pH cement comprising 60% Portland cement and 40% silica fume. It is shown that sorption of potassium is higher than that of sodium and mainly results from counterion charge balancing of the C-S-H negative surface charge. To explain the greater retention of potassium compared to sodium, it is postulated that potassium, unlike sodium, may enter…