Influence of cement type on resistance to attack from two carboxylic acids. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dyer, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Cement & concrete composites. Volume 83(2017)
• Page Start: 20
• Page End: 35
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Acid attack -- Portland cement -- Fly ash -- Calcium sulfoaluminate cement -- Acetic -- Butyric; Composite-reinforced concrete -- Periodicals; Concrete -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composites de ciment -- Périodiques; Béton -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Béton léger -- Périodiques; Cement composites; Composite materials; Composite-reinforced concrete; Concrete; Lightweight concrete; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.135
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2017.07.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-9465

Abstract

Abstract: In a number of circumstances, concrete may be required to possess resistance to organic acids. These are frequently carboxylic acids. This paper examines the effect of two such acids – acetic and butyric – on hardened cement paste specimens made from three cement types – Portland cement (PC), a combination of PC and fly ash (PC/FA), and a calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSA). Specimens were exposed to solutions of the acids and deterioration characterized in terms of mass loss and pH measurements, micro-CT scanning, and chemical and mineralogical analysis. Additionally geochemical modelling was used to further examine the mechanisms involved during acid attack. The CSA cement was most resistant to attack, with the PC paste displaying the least resistance. This resistance has been partly attributed to the higher acid neutralization capacity of CSA cement. However, this paper demonstrates that the enhanced performance is most probably the result of a denser microstructure.