Thermal investigation on high temperature treatment of cement mortars with high content of marble powder

Abstract

Abstract The object of the study is cement compositions based on white Portland cement, characterized by a high content of marble powder and a low water-to-cement ratio. The samples were prepared with different concentrations of the components, affecting their densities and strengths determined at 28 days or 120 days of curing. The IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy supplement the thermal analysis (heating rate of 10°C/min in the temperature range of 20-1200°C). This work aimed to characterize cement mortars by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and thermal (TG-DTG-DSC) analysis up to 1200°C. The study obtained data on phase composition, binder-to-aggregate and water-to-cement ratio, and spectroscopic and thermal properties of cement mortars. As a result of the study, an increase in the decomposition temperatures of composites with marble powder was found. Substitution of a part of the Portland cement clinker with a marble powder leads to the formation of carbo-sulpho-aluminates.