Search the repository

A+ | A- | | SLO | ENG

Abstract: This study investigated the influence of different cooling regimes on the microstructure and consequent reactivity of belite-sulfoaluminate clinkers. The cement clinkers were synthesized by incorporating secondary raw materials, such as titanogypsum and bottom ash, to the natural raw materials. Clinker phases were determined by Rietveld quantitative phase analysis, while the distribution morphology and the incorporation of substitute ions in the phases were characterized by scanning electron microscopy using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Clinker reactivity was studied using isothermal calorimetry and was additionally investigated through compressive strength, which was determined for the cement prepared from the synthesized clinkers. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that, as well as the three main phases (belite, calcium sulfoaluminate, and ferrite), the clinkers contained additional minor phases (mayenite, gehlenite, arkanite, periclase, and perovskite), the ratios of which varied according to the cooling regime utilized. Microscopic observations indicated that the cooling regime also influenced the crystal size and morphology of the main phases, which consequently affected clinker reactivity. Furthermore, a smaller amount of substitute elements was incorporated in the main phases when cooling was slowed. Results showed that, in comparison to clinkers cooled at slower rates, air quenched clinkers reacted faster and exhibited a higher compressive strength at 7 days.
Keywords: clinkers, belite, calcium sulfoaluminate, cooling, microstructure, reactivity
Published in DiRROS: 20.12.2023; Views: 187; Downloads: 76
Full text (4,18 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Calcium acetoacetate, Ca(OAcAc)2, was exposed 7, 30 and 365 days to different values of relative humidity (33%, 48%, 75% and 96%) at 40 °C in order to study its transformation to CaCO3. The resulting Ca(OAcAc)2 decomposition and the time dependence of the phase transformations were monitored and critically evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. The impact of relative humidity on CaCO3 polymorph formation was thoroughly assessed. In all of the conditions used and for all ageing periods, the formed crystal structure is found to be vaterite. At the lowest relative humidity (33%), the amorphous CaCO3 remains more or less almost untransformed even after one year of exposure. It is proposed that the reason for the stability of amorphous CaCO3 is due to the limited amount of physisorbed water on the surfaces of the particles, which is considered the driving force for its transformation. However, the carbonation process is faster in the case of the highest humidity (96%). The findings are not only important for better solutions in the field of cultural heritage, but also shed new light on the fundamental mechanism of CaCO3 crystallization.
Keywords: calcium acetoacetate, relative humidity, carbonation, amorphous carbonate, vaterite, mechanism
Published in DiRROS: 22.11.2023; Views: 290; Downloads: 137
Full text (6,55 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: The influence of different curing temperatures on the hydration of belite-calcium sulfoaluminate cement was investigated at 20, 40 and 60 °C. The hydration kinetics and the hydrated phase assemblages were studied by isothermal calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis, as well as field emission scanning electron microscopy. The compressive strength development of the cement pastes was also determined. Results showed that, at early ages, hydration was faster and early compressive strength was higher at elevated temperatures than at ambient temperature. On the other hand, at late ages in cement pastes cured at 60 °C, the amount of ettringite decreased, leading to lower compressive strength, indicating that the degree of hydration was lower at higher temperatures. Moreover, at elevated temperatures prismatic ettringite crystals became smaller due to faster hydration. Other hydration products present were aluminium hydroxide, which is formed together with ettringite from the hydration of calcium sulfoaluminate and gypsum, and C–S–H which precipitates as a main hydration product of belite. Belite hydrated in a lesser amount, especially at 60 °C, when the lowest amount of C–S–H was observed.
Keywords: hydration, cement, temperature, belite, calcium sulfoaluminate, open access, hidratacija, cement, temperatura, belit, kalcijev sulfoaluminat
Published in DiRROS: 04.08.2023; Views: 273; Downloads: 194
Full text (7,33 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: The influence of different amounts of gypsum on the hydration of a belite-rich and a yeʼelimite-rich belite-calcium sulfoaluminate clinker (BCSA) was investigated. The hydration kinetics, phase assemblages and compressive strength development of cements prepared using yeʼelimite/ calcium sulfate molar ratios of 1, 1.5 and 2 were studied. Besides ettringite and monosulfate, aluminium hydroxide, strätlingite, C-S-H, iron-containing siliceous hydrogarnet and hydrotalcite were present as hydration products. Increasing the amount of gypsum increased the ratio of ettringite to monosulfate formed in the cement paste, lowered the amount of pore solution, delayed the dissolution of belite and ferrite, decreased the formation of strätlingite and, in the case of the yeʼelimite-rich BCSA, led to an increase in compressive strength. Increased amounts of belite in the clinker led to the formation of higher quantities of C-S-H, at the expense of straätlingite and a lower compressive strength, as belite has a lower degree of reaction than yeʼelimite and due to the formation of more C-S-H and stratlingite compared to the more space-filling ettringite. The thermodynamic model established for BCSA cement hydration agrees well with the experimental data. Compressive strength directly correlated with bound water from thermogravimetric analyses and inversely correlated with the porosity calculated from thermodynamic modelling.
Keywords: belite-calcium sulfoaluminate cement, gypsum, hydration, thermodynamic modelling
Published in DiRROS: 28.07.2023; Views: 268; Downloads: 207
Full text (1,74 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: The durability of Portland cement mortars is often affected by environmental factors, which can cause physicochemical and mechanical degradation processes. In this study, the performance of three products, calcium acetoacetate and calcium tetrahydrofurfuryloxide dissolved in two different solvents developed and tested as stone consolidants, was evaluated in terms of crack filling or sealing and consolidation. Realistic cracks were induced in quasibrittle cement mortar prisms using a custom-designed test rig. The effectiveness and the performance of the considered treatments, investigated on specimens, were evaluated by optical and scanning electron microscopy, colourimetry, water absorption rate, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and surface hardness measurements. Results revealed that, in the examined conditions, the products were more suitable as surface consolidants than as crack fillers.
Keywords: cement mortars, 20th century architecture conservation, calcium acetoacetate, calcium alkoxide, concrete repair, open access
Published in DiRROS: 04.05.2023; Views: 348; Downloads: 202
Full text (2,69 MB)
This document has many files! More...