Simultaneous IR/TG study of calcium carbonate in two aged cement pastes

Two aged cement pastes (7 years) were studied for H₂O and CO₂ evolution, the combined amounts of which were measured by TG and identified by thermo-IR analysis. This indicated the presence of three forms of carbonates, which decomposed at different temperatures. The displacement with time of the evaporation of sorbed water to higher temperatures (500–700°C, TG, MS) shows the possibility of its incorporation into carbonate hydrates and/or hydroxy hydrates, postulated previously. The decomposition of all the hydration products needed a thermal energy increasing with ageing (increased temperature measured by TG). The carbonation process proceeded for 7 years in the weaker paste, whereas it terminated before 5 years in the stronger one. The CSH water content did not change with ageing, whereas that of portlandite was lowered, which though did not account for the increase in carbonate content (TG). Possibly some Ca²⁺ from the CSH gel was involved in this process. In the stronger paste the growth with time of organic matter was found (IR, TG/DTG).     

Hydration characteristic on lime-silica fume pastes

The hydration of two calcium hydroxide— silica fume mixtures was studied at 25°C, these are Mix I and Mix II with molar lime/silica ratios of 1 and 1.7, respectively. The free lime, free silica and chemically combined water contents were determined at various time of hydration from which the molar CaO/SiO₂ ratios of the formed calcium silicate hydrate, C?S?H, were calculated. The results indicated that hydration takes place in six steps where C?S?H (I) is formed at early stages of hydration, for Mix I, While for Mix II formation of C?S?H (I) and C?S?H (II) were detected by X-ray diffraction analysis and differential thermal analysis.     

Hydration mechanisms of supersulfated cement

Considerable attention has been given to special cements, capable of reducing CO₂ emissions, energy and limestone consumption. Supersulfated cements are made of blast furnace slag (GBFS), calcium sulfate (CS), and small quantities of activator, but achieving their optimal proportions is complex. In this paper, the effects of the both CS and alkali activator (KOH) contents were studied. The main results showed that the compressive strength, heat of hydration, and consumption of anhydrite phase were strongly influenced by the alkaline content, while low calcium sulfate or alkaline content increased the formation of CSH. The instability of ettringite was verified: with low CS, the probable hypothesis was its conversion into monosulfate due to the scarcity of sulfate; with high CS, it was associated with intense, rapid consumption of anhydrite with high KOH content, followed by the precipitation of ettringite on the surface of slag grains and its conversion into monosulfate.     

Hydration of cement with superabsorbent polymers

Hydration of cement is a complex thermodynamic system where a number of heterogeneous compounds interact with each other to form cement hydrates. Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) can be added to cement systems with many different reasons, so it is relevant that the basic knowledge of this new compound on the development of hydration is well understood. This paper reports basic research on thermal analysis of cement pastes with SAP—a suspension-polymerized poly acrylic acid–acrylamide copolymer. Several parameters were analysed: the concentration of SAP, the effect of particle size distribution and their influence on the hydration process with focus on ordinary Portland cement. The methodology included thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Combined water method was employed at different thermodynamic conditions, so the energy of activation in the different systems can be accessed. The introduction of SAP in cement-based materials significantly affects the chemical balance of ordinary Portland cement. The effect is not only in terms of the amount of hydrates, but also the type of hydrates being generated, thermodynamically favourable to precipitation of calcium hydroxide. This paper provides information relevant to hydration modelling and comprehension of cementitious materials when internal curing is active.     

Differential thermal studies of polymethyl methacrylate-impregnated cement pastes

Differential thermal curves have been obtained for two polymethyl methacrylate-impregnated cement pastes prepared at a water/cement ratio of 0.37 and 0.70. Complex thermal effects, including a substantial decrease in the endothermal peak for Ca(OH)₂ decomposition, were observed in samples heated in air. These effects originate in the portland cement paste, in the polymer, and from interactions between the polymer and the hydrated cement during heating. Less complex effects resulted when DTA was carried out in N₂. There was no evidence of a reaction between the hydrated cement and PMMA during impregnation.     

Low frequency dielectric behaviour of Portland cement pastes

Summary Dielectric constants and loss tangents of a Portland cement paste were measured during and after hardening in the frequency range 60 c/s-300 kc/s. One day after preparation two loss areas were observed; during hydration (at 20 °C; 65% R. H.) a h. f. maximum moved slowly to lower frequencies; a l. f. loss increased in magnitude during the first few days of curing, but disappeared during further hardening. Results for a cement paste cured under water for 6 weeks, showed that the h. f. maximum had come to a stop at about 10 kc/s. From the continuous shift of this maximum with temperature in passing the freezing-point it is concluded that the h. f. loss is caused by water of crystallization; the activation energy is 13 kcal/mole. The l. f. loss is believed to be caused by water in open pores. Cement exposed to air during hardening appears to have more open pores than cement hardened under water.

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Zusammenfassung Dielektrische Konstante und dielektrische Verluste von Portland-Zement Pasta wurden w?hrend und nach Aush?rtung im Frequenzbereich zwischen 60 und 3.10⁵ Hz gemessen und diskutiert. Ein Tag nach der Bereitung der Paste zeigt diese zwei Verlustgebiete. W?hrend der Aush?rtung verschiebt sich das hochfrequente Verlustmaximum nach niederen Frequenzen. Es kommt schlie?lich bei etwa 10⁴ Hz zum Stillstand, wie Messungen an unter Wasser ausgeh?rtetem Zement zeigen. Die Temperaturverschiebung dieses Maximums verl?uft stetig beim Durchgang durch den Gefrierpunkt mit einer Aktivierungsenergie von 13 kcal/Mol. Aus diesen Tatsachen ergibt sich ein Deutungsvorschlag dieses Maximums: Es wird Dipolverlusten von gebundenem Kristallwasser zugeschrieben. Das zweite, niederfrequente, Verlustgebiet erh?ht sich innerhalb der ersten Tage der Aush?rtung, um dann wieder zu verschwinden. Es wird als ein Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars-Maximum von in Poren absorbiertem Wasser gedeutet.

     

Properties and performance of metakaolin pozzolanic cement pastes

The heating rate effect on the thermal behavior of clays from Arumetsa and Kunda deposits (Estonia) and an illitic clay from Füzérradvány (Hungary) was studied. Experiments were carried out under dynamic heating condition up to 1050 °C at the heating rates of 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 °C min^?1 in a stream of gas mixture containing 79 % of Ar and 21 % of O₂ with Setaram Labsys 1600 analyzer. Two different ashes were used as additives: the electrostatic precipitator ash from the first field and the cyclone ash formed, respectively, at circulating fluidized bed combustion (temperatures 750–830 °C) and pulverized firing (temperatures 1200–1400 °C) of Estonian oil shale at Estonian Power Plant. For calculation of kinetic parameters, the TG data were processed by the differential isoconversional Friedman method. The results of thermal analysis and the variation of the value of activation energy E along the reaction progress α indicated the complex character of decomposition of clays and their blends with Estonian oil shale ashes, and the certain differences in thermal behavior of different clays depending on their origin.     

Characterisation of cement pastes by inverse gas chromatography

Two cement pastes, commonly used in concrete formulations, were characterised by IGC at 35-80 degrees C before and after coating with an epoxy resin and a hardener. The cements are mixtures of hydrates in various proportions, such as calcium silicate hydrate (CaO-SiO2-H2O) and calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2. Apolar and polar probes were used to determine the dispersive and acid-base characteristics of the cement pastes. These materials have high surface energy as judged from the dispersive contribution to the surface free energy (gamma(s)d) values lying in the 50-70 mJ/m2 range at 60-80 degrees C. Examination of the specific interactions permitted to show that the cement pastes are strongly amphoteric species with a substantial predominant Lewis basicity that is in line with the basic pH of their aqueous suspensions. Following coating with an epoxy resin (DGEBA) and a hardener (triethylene tetramine), the surface energy of the cements decreases substantially with the mass loading of the organic material. The surface thermodynamic properties were also correlated with the surface chemical composition as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.     

Immobilization of Zn(II) in Portland cement pastes

The aim of this paper is to study the solidification/stabilization potential of cementitious matrices on the immobilization of Zn(II) before its disposal into the environment by determining the mechanisms of interaction between the Zn(II) ions and the binder. The results of structural and mineralogical characterization of cement pastes formed with different amounts of immobilized Zn(II) ions are presented and the study includes results from thermogravimetric analysis (TG), scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and leaching performance. Zn(II) ions delay the hydration reaction of Portland cement due to the formation of mainly CaZn₂(OH)₆·2H₂O , as well as Zn₅(CO₃)₂(OH)₆, Zn(OH)₂, and ZnCO₃ in minor proportion. Correlations between total mass loss in TG analysis and leached Zn(II) ions in long-term curing pastes have been obtained. This result is important because in a preliminary approach from a TG on an early-aged cement paste containing Zn(II), it could be possible to perform an estimation of the amount of Zn(II) ions that could be leached, thus avoiding costly and time-consuming tests.     

Hydration studies of modified OPC pastes by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry

Thermal methods are used extensively in investigating cements and effects of additives on their hydration behaviour. Calcium chloride is the most effective and widely used accelerator for cement hydration, but the result is largely dependent on the rate at which it is added. In this study the influence of calcium chloride dosage on the hydration behaviour of OPC pastes aged for different periods has been investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. The results are discussed in relation to the relative amounts of calcium hydroxide and total reaction product formed. Chloroaluminate was a product of hydration in the samples dosed with greater than 1% calcium chloride. XRD was unable of itself to differentiate between monochloroaluminate and the calcium aluminate hydrate C₄AH₁₃ when present in small amounts. Thermal methods proved effective in characterising the products of hydration in the presence of chloride.

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Zusammenfassung Bei der Untersuchung von Zement und des Einflusses von Additiven auf das Hydratationsverhalten von Zement finden thermoanalytische Methoden eine breite Anwendung. Der effektivste und meistbenutzte Beschleuniger für die Hydratation von Zement ist Calciumchlorid, aber die Ergebnisse hängen stark von der Dosiergeschwindigkeit ab. In vorliegender Studie wird mittels DSC-, TG- und Röntgendiffraktionsmethoden der Einflu\ der Dosierung von Calciumchlorid auf das Hydratationsverhalten von verschieden alten OPC-Zementbreiproben untersucht. Die Ergebnisse wurden in Bezug auf die relativen Mengen Calciumhydroxid und das gebildete Gesamtreaktionsprodukt gewertet.Bei Dosen von mehr als 1% Calciumchlorid konnte als Hydratationsprodukt Chloraluminat festgestellt werden. Sind Monochloraluminat und das Calciumaluminathydrat C₄AH₁₃ in geringen Mengen vorhanden, kann man zwischen den beiden mittels Röntgendiffraktion nicht unterscheiden. Thermoanalytische Methoden erwiesen sich als effektives Hilfsmittel bei der Charakterisierung der Produkte der Hydratation in Gegenwart von Chlorid.

     

Microgravimetric measurements of water vapour sorption on hydrated cement pastes

To study the pore structure of hydrated cement pastes, differing in pretreatment and chemical composition, water vapour sorptlon experiments have been used. The experiments were carried out at 25.0°C in a pure water vapour atmosphere, up to relative vapour pressures of 0.98. The amount of water adsorbed or desorbed was determined gravimetrically using a Cahn 2000 microbalance. The set-up developed for this purpose and some experimental results are presented.     

CO2 sequestration by high initial strength Portland cement pastes

During the formation of pastes, mortar and concretes have been used to capture CO₂. This work presents a methodology to estimate the carbon dioxide (CO₂) sequestered by high strength and sulfate-resistant Portland cement pastes during their early stages of hydration, by Thermogravimetry and Derivative Thermogravimetry. Water to cement ratio equal to 0.50 and 0.70 were evaluated and the captured CO₂ amount was determined through TG/DTG curve data on initial cement mass basis, obtained during accelerated carbonation from the fluid state and accelerated carbonation after a first hydration process. The experiments were performed in a controlled chamber, maintaining the CO₂ content at 20 vol % and the temperature at 25 °C, at different relative humidity (RH) (60 and 80 %) ambient. The procedure allows one to estimate the amount of CO₂ sequestered by the initial cement mass of a given volume of paste, as well as to evaluate the RH and W/C ratio influence on the amount of hydrated formed products, mainly on the Ca(OH)₂, important for CO₂ fixation.     

NMR control of aging and durability of hardened cement pastes

We report on proton NMR relaxation of hardened and aged grey and white CEM I paste with several controlled degree of relative humidity. A proton NMR relaxation study of these two CEM I cement pastes shows very different pore size hierarchies for these two materials. The good sensitivity of the proposed method for analysing the evolution of the pore size dependencies under drying and wetting history of the material could be very useful for studying the durability of building material under severe conditions of use.     

Hydration of Portland cement with alkanolamines by thermal analysis

Four types of alkanolamines (i.e., traditional alkanolamines represented by TEA and TIPA and new alkanolamines represented by DEIPA and EDIPA) were added to Portland cement as chemical additives, and their effects on the cement properties and hydration process were investigated. An isothermal calorimeter was used to track the hydration heat flow of the cement pastes with or without alkanolamines. Thermogravimetric analyses were performed to measure the degree of hydration over the course of 28 days. In addition, X-ray diffraction, MIP analysis and SEM were used as auxiliary tests. The results indicated that alkanolamines improved the compressive strength of the cement mortars. It was found that TEA increased the rate of the second hydration of C₃A, and TIPA accelerated the hydration of C₄AF. DEIPA and EDIPA promoted the hydration of both the aluminum and ferrite phases as well as catalyzed the conversion of AFt to the AFm phase. By contrast, the new alkanolamines represented by DEIPA and EDIPA expressed more superior properties.     

A gravimetric study of water vapour sorption on hydrated cement pastes

To study the pore structure of hardened cement pastes water vapour sorption isotherms are measured in a gravimetric way. The accuracy appeared to be restricted by water vapour effects on the balance (a Cahn 2000 micro balance) and by the employed type of secondary fulcra. It takes several days before the total amount of water vapour is adsorbed or desorbed when the vapour pressure is changed. Therefore a method of extrapolation is employed to calculate the equilibrium amount from the course of the mass change with time.     

Hydration of portland cement in the presence of aluminum-containing setting accelerators

Portland cement hydration in the presence of two different aluminum-containing compounds, highly dispersed amorphous Al(OH)₃ and aqueous solution of aluminum hydroxosulfate Al(OH)_1.78(SO₄)_0.61, was studied by solid-state ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy.     

Thermal resistance of hardened cement pastes containing vermiculite and expanded vermiculite

The durability and thermal stability of hardened Portland cement pastes containing vermiculite (V) and expanded vermiculite (EV) exposed to high temperatures were studied. Different mixtures were prepared using 2.5, 5, and 10 wt% of both types of V. Each mixture, after 28?days of hydration, was heated at 300, 600, and 800?°C for 3?h. Two modes of cooling were used; gradual cooling in air and rapid cooling in cold water. The percentage of residual strength, chemically combined water content, change in phase composition, and the thermal stability of the heated specimens were studied. The specimens cooled in water showed greater loss in strength than the air-cooled specimens. The presence of V improved the heat resistance of ordinary type I Portland cement (OPC) pastes. 5 wt% replacement revealed the best performance at all heating temperatures. The EV showed better thermal resistance than the nonexpanded one. Addition of silica fume (SF) with V in OPC pastes lead to superior performance. This can be explained as result of the combined effects of insulation properties of V and pozzolanic reactivity of SF which accounts for the notable increase in the residual strength for these mixes.     

Application of differential thermogravimetry to the hydration of expansive cement pastes

Differential thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine the hydration kinetics of expansive cement and its products at various ages of hydration. Analytical grade reagents, kaolin and Portland cement were used to prepare an expansive cement on the basis of calcium sulphoaluminate. Two mix compositions having the stoichiometric composition of trisulphate and monosulphate were synthesized from pure reagents. Three clinkers were also prepared from kaolin, gypsum and calcium carbonate with different compositions.The hydration of expansive cement prepared from the stoichiometric composition of trisulphate and Portland cement gives ettringite as the stable phase after seven days of hydration. The presence of more CaO than the stoichiometric composition of trisulphate favours the conversion of some ettringite to the monosulphate hydrate. The hydration of expansive cement prepared from the stoichiometric composition of monosulphate and Portland cement shows the presence of ettringite and the monosulphate phase. Ettringite is formed initially, and then transformed to the monosulphate form.     

Hydration of Portland cement with red mud as mineral addition

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The use of red mud from Bayer process in association with Portland cement has been shown to be promising because of its good performance on the...