Performance of mortars incorporating fly ash, silica fume, blast furnace slag at different temperature in magnesium sulfate solution

Abstract

This study presents the performance of five different mortars at room temperature, 40^oC and 5^oC in magnesium sulfate solution. Two groups of mortars are prepared of only cement but vary in ratio water/ cement (W/C) (0,52 and 0,625). The other three groups of mortars produced incorporating fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF) and blast furnace slag (BFS). These mortars were immersed for 600 days in magnesium sulfate solution. All mortars measured compressive strength, flexural strength during the 600 days. Water absorption and sorption of mortars were determined at 28 days. Microstructures of mortars were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and microscope. Chemical analyzes were done with X-ray diffraction (XRF). Mortars sulfate attack affected mineral additives but cement prevent the mortars better than these with mineral additives. Mortars water absorption and sorption are important parameters on sulfate attack. Mortars corrupt at room temperature more than the other mediums.