Investigation of structure formation in complex binder

Abstract

This study deals with the particularities of structure formation and hydration of the complex binder, which consists of liquid glass, metallurgical slag and high aluminate cement (Al2O3 > 70%). According to the ultrasonic and exothermal temperature results, it was determined that due to the reaction between liquid glass and dicalcium silicate the highest hardening intensity was found in the first 20 minutes; however, the hydration of cement takes place much later, i.e. in the hardened structure. SEM investigations of the complex binder showed that its structure is dominated by areas where cement particles are joined by nanostructures (<50 nm) of the products formed during the reaction between liquid glass and hardener, and that the surface of most cement particles is coated by layers of nanoparticles sized from 30 nm up to 100 nm, i. e. the products of cement hydration.