The ITZ microstructure,thickness,porosity and its relation with compressive and flexural strength of cement mortar;influence of cement fineness and water/cement ratio

A new insight into the interfacial transition zone(ITZ)in cement mortar specimens(CMSs)that is influenced by cement fineness is reported.The importance of cement fineness in ITZ characterizations such as morphology and thickness is elucidated by backscattered electron images and by consequences to the compressive(Fc)and flexural strength(Ff),and porosity at various water/cement ratios.The findings indicate that by increasing the cement fineness the calcium silicate hydrate formation in the ITZ is favored and that this can refine the pore structures and create a denser and more homogeneous microstructure.By increasing cement fineness by about 25%of,the ITZ thickness of CMSs was reduced by about 30%and Fc was increased by 7%–52%and Ff by 19%–40%.These findings illustrate that the influence of ITZ features on the mechanical strength of CMSs is mostly related to the cement fineness and ITZ microstructure.

Research on rheological properties of micro-fine grouting cement

This article studies the influence of the fineness of cement, fly ash(FA), its composite admixture and the amount and way mixed with superplasticizer on the rheological properties of micro fine cement(MC). By means of modern instruments and technologies (such as XRD, SEM, laser granulometer and superficial potential apparatus etc.), the article studies the mineral compositions, the appearance character of grains, particle size distribution and superficial potential of FA and its composite materials. And through that, the reducing mechanism of FA is thoroughly analyzed. The study shows that FA and its composite admixture are excellent components which can effectively improve the rheological properties of micro fine cement, and that the superplasticizer has a saturation point and the mixing way of it has a great influence on the rheological properties.

Microscopic Pore and Filling Performance of Coal Gangue Cementitious Paste

To obtain the influence laws of the fine gangue rate on the properties of coal gangue cementitious paste, the slump, divergence, stratification, bleeding, setting time and mechanical strength with the change of fine gangue rate were studied on the basis of keeping the amount of cementing material and slurry concentration unchanged. The porosity and the distribution of pore diameter of the filling specimen for curing 28 d were tested by a mercury injection instrument under different fine gangue rate conditions. It was shown that the slump, divergence, setting time and compressive strength of the paste firstly increased and then decreased with increasing fine gangue rate. The stratification and bleeding rate decreased with increasing fine gangue rate. The smaller the critical pore size of the paste was, the smaller the porosity was, the smaller the average pore size was. When the fine gangue rate was 40%, the maximum critical pore diameter of the paste was 55.79 μm, and the corresponding porosity was 17.54%, and the properties of filling paste were the best. When the fine gangue rate further increased, the aggregate surface area increased, and the reaction product of cementitious materials could not effectively fill the pores. It weakened the agglomeration effect. The particles surface of coal gangue was fragmental and flake deposit with irregular shape and uneven fold morphology. It was easy to be bonded with the surface of other filling material. The hydration products of coal gangue cementitious material were a large number of C-S-H gel with fibrous shape and ettringite（AFt） with compact block structure. The theoretical reference was provided for the preparation of low cost gangue cemented filling materials in coal mines.

Experimental Research on Performances of Dry-grinding Fine Cement for Grouting

The performances of dry grinding fine cement (DFC) in grouting procedure were experimentally studied.The measurement of its fineness and simulated test for injectability showed that this DFC could be used to inject rock mass with micro fissure.In order to improve the grouting quality,the water cement ratio and discarding time of slurry should be controlled precisely.If the water cement ratio is over 2∶1 in slurry that is made from DFC,it is not suitable to grout.Finally,the influence of different mixing times on strength of hydrated cement made from the DFC is explained by microstructure analysis with SEM.

Preparation of Fine Cement Slurries by Wet-Ground Using a Pneumatic Colloid Mill

This study aims to investigate the preparation of fine cement slurries by wet-ground using a pneumatic colloid mill. A pneumatic colloid mill was designed and produced. Furthermore,ordinary Portland cement slurries were ground using the pneumatic colloid mill. Moreover,the fineness of ground cement slurries was studied. The particle sizes of ground cement slurries with various cumulated percent were all better than those of cement slurries before grinding. When water was used as the dispersant,the best average diameter of cement slurries was obtained by grinding for 10,and 15 min for cement slurries with water / cement ratio of 1∶ 1,and0. 9∶ 1,respectively. When ethanol was used as the dispersant,the particle sizes of all cumulated percent decreased gradually with the increasing grinding time,and the particle sizes of cumulated percent of D97 decreased rapidly with the increasing grinding time. The grinding effect of big particle sizes of cement slurries is better than that of small particle sizes.

Preparation of Rapid Hardening Mortars Using Ultrafine Portland Cement

During the hydration process, the Ultra-fine Cements present specific physical and chemical characteristics; they are, very short setting time and high heat release. For special applications, such as rapid hardening and early high strength mortars or concretes, these characteristics can be considered advantageous. Some commercial products used for concrete reinforcement and repairs are the Rapid Hardening Mortars, these mortars must develop a time of setting up to 3 h and an initial compressive strength of about 3.5 MPa once the hardening of the paste is reached. The objective of the present research work is to use Ultra-fine Cement for the preparation of a series of different Rapid Hardening Mortars （with different percentages of Ultra-fine Cement）, these mortars required the addition of a polycarboxylate-base specification F Superplasticizer. It was observed that the optimum water/cement （W/C） ratio for the hydration of the Ultra-fine Cements is W/C = 0.385. The Ultra-fine Cements were obtained by the High Energy Ball-milling technique at laboratory scale, 90% of the Particle Size Distribution is below 11 μm and the Blaine Specific Surface Area is over 9000 cm^2/g.