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ABSTRACT: In a model system for alkali–silica reaction consisting of microsilica, portlandite (0–40 mass%), and 1M alkaline solutions (NaOH, KOH), the influence of calcium on silica dissolution and on the formation of reaction products is investigated. The reaction and its products are characterized using calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, desorption experiments, and pore solution analysis in combination with thermodynamic modeling. Silica dissolution proceeds until portlandite is consumed due to the formation of C–S–H, and subsequently, saturation of dissolved silica in the alkaline solution is reached. As a result, the amount of dissolved silica increases with the increasing portlandite content. Depending on the amount of portlandite added, the reaction products show differences in the relative amounts of Q1, Q2, and Q3 sites formed and in their average Ca/Si ratio. The ability of the reactions products to chemically bind water decreases with the decreasing relative amount of Q3 sites and with the increasing Ca/Si ratio. However, the amount of physically bound water in the reaction products reaches a maximum value at a Ca/Si ratio between 0.20 and 0.30.
Journal of the American Ceramic Society 11/2010; 94(4):1243 - 1249. · 2.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Chromate is a toxic contaminant of potential concern, as it is quite soluble in the alkaline pH range and could be released to the environment. In cementitous systems, CrO4(2−) is thought to be incorporated as a solid solution with SO4(2−) in ettringite. The formation of a solid solution (SS) could lower the soluble CrO4(2−) concentrations. Ettringite containing SO4(2−) or CrO4(2−) and mixtures thereof have been synthesized. The resulting solids and their solubility after an equilibration time of 3 months have been characterized. For CrO4-ettringite at 25 °C, a solubility product log K(S0) of −40.2 ± 0.4 was calculated: log K(CrO4−ettringite) = 6log{Ca2+} + 2log{Al(OH)4(−)} + 3log{CrO4(2−)} + 4log{OH−} + 26log{H2O}. X-ray diffraction and the analysis of the solution indicated the formation of a regular solid solution between SO4- and CrO4-ettringite with a miscibility gap between 0.4 ≤ XCrO4 ≤ 0.6. The miscibility gap of the SO4- and CrO4-ettringite solid solution could be reproduced with a dimensionless Guggenheim fitting parameter (a0) of 2.03. The presence of a solid solution between SO4- and CrO4-ettringite results in a stabilization of the solids compared to the pure ettringites and thus in an increased uptake of CrO4(2−) in cementitious systems.
Environmental Science & Technology 11/2010; 44(23):8983-8. · 4.80 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Chloride ion is in part bound into ordinary Portland cement paste and modifies its mineralogy. To understand this a literature review of its impacts has been made and new experimental data were obtained. Phase pure preparations of Friedel's salt, Ca4Al2(Cl)1.95(OH)12.05·4H2O, and Kuzel's salt, Ca4Al2(Cl)(SO4)0.5(OH)12·6H2O, were synthesized and their solubilities were measured at 5, 25, 55 and 85 °C. After equilibration, solid phases were analysed by X-ray diffraction while the aqueous solutions were analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy and ion chromatography. The solid solutions and interactions of Friedel's salt with other AFm phases were determined at 25 °C experimentally and by calculations. In hydrated cements, anion sites in AFm are potentially occupied by OH, SO4 and CO3 ions whereas Cl may be introduced under service conditions. Chloride readily displaces hydroxide, sulfate and carbonate in the AFm structures. A comprehensive picture of phase relations of AFm phases and their binding capacity for chloride is provided for pH ∼ 12 and 25 °C. The role of chloride in AFt formation and its relevance to corrosion of embedded steel are discussed in terms of calculated aqueous [Cl−]/[OH−] molar ratios.
Cement and Concrete Research.
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ABSTRACT: The influence of the presence of limestone on the hydration of Portland cement was investigated. Blending of Portland cement with limestone was found to influence the hydrate assemblage of the hydrated cement. Thermodynamic calculations as well as experimental observations indicated that in the presence of limestone, monocarbonate instead of monosulfate was stable. Thermodynamic modelling showed that the stabilisation of monocarbonate in the presence of limestone indirectly stabilised ettringite leading to a corresponding increase of the total volume of the hydrate phase and a decrease of porosity. The measured difference in porosity between the “limestone-free” cement, which contained less than 0.3% CO2, and a cement containing 4% limestone, however, was much smaller than calculated.Coupling of thermodynamic modelling with a set of kinetic equations which described the dissolution of the clinker, predicted quantitatively the amount of hydrates. The quantities of ettringite, portlandite and amorphous phase as determined by TGA and XRD agreed well with the calculated amounts of these phases after different periods of time. The findings in this paper show that changes in the bulk composition of hydrating cements can be followed by coupled thermodynamic models. Comparison between experimental and modelled data helps to understand in more detail the dominating processes during cement hydration.
Cement and Concrete Research.
