Durability of Cement and Ash Mortars with Fluidized and Siliceous Fly Ashes Exposed to HCl Acid Environment over a Period of 2 Years

Abstract

The paper presents results of research on the impact of fly ash from fluidized bed combustion (FBC) of lignite, used in quantities of 30 and 45% by mass, and the mixture of FBC and silicious fly ash in amount of 45% by mass, on properties of cement–ash mortars. Mortars were exposed to aggressive environment of 1, 3, and 5% HCl solutions for 2 years. Mortars containing 45% FBC exposed to 1% HCl solution (pH = 2) showed the highest durability from among other mortars. The growth of their strength observed after 90 days of testing in 1% HCl environment, as well as the lowest drop of strength after 730 days of exposure to this environment, resulted from the reduced amount of large pores from 20 to 200 nm in mortars containing fly ash, with simultaneous growth of smaller pores of <20 nm during testing. A beneficial effect has been demonstrated of FBC addition to cement on properties of cement–ash mortars exposed to the aggressive impact of the HCl. Mortars with FBC fly-ash content increased to 45% by mass showed higher strength values, smaller differences in linear and mass changes, and increased durability in an aggressive environment observed during 730 days of testing.