The Microstructure of High Strength Cement Pastes

Abstract

AbstractThe microstructures of high strength pastes of OPC and high alumina cements prepared by the high shear mixing of a low water/cement ratio paste with water soluble polymers have been studied by transmission electron microscopy. In the case of high strength OPC, the usual hydration products are present, however, the CSH gel lacks the fibrillar morphology often observed in conventional cements. Pastes based on high alumina cement do not contain the normal crystalline calcium aluminate hydrates but a small quantity of gel containing the organic polymer forms a continuous network structure bonding clinker grains. Microanalysis of the polymer phase in high alumina cement revealed the presence of Ca and Al while Ca-rich interstitial gel material was found in OPC pastes.