Study on the pore structure characteristics of ferronickel-slag-mixed ternary-blended cement

Abstract

Pore structure development in Portland cement, fly ash, or/and ferronickel slag (FNS) was investigated using mercury intrusion porosimetry and X-ray CT tomography. The progress of hydration was observed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and compressive strength while durability of concrete was monitored by chloride penetration resistance and chloride profiles. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) results suggested that the blended cement had a higher porosity while lower critical pore size. The major reason to this increased porosity was the formation of meso and micro pores compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). In terms of chloride transport, replaced cement, especially ternary-blended cement had higher resistance to chloride transport and exhibited slightly lower development of compressive strength. X-ray CT tomography shows that the influence of pore structure of ternary-blended cement on the ionic transport was strongly related to the pore connectivity of cement matrix.