The Effect of Nano Ceramic Powders on Mechanical and Physical Properties of Normal Concrete

Abstract

Concrete is one of the most important materials used in construction. Properties of concrete can be improved using additives like nano-ceramics which acts as reinforced phase to raise the mechanical properties of concrete. Effect of nano-powder on some properties of concrete has been determined. In this study, two concrete mixes have been prepared, first one, by adding different contents of nano-ZrO2, second using nano - Al2O3 powder. Properties of concrete have been studied through the compressive strength, Splitting tensile strength, workability and water absorption. Results showed that the slump reduced from 103 mm to 62 mm when 1.1% nano-zirconia added, the same behavior observed in mix that contain nano alumina powder. The compressive strength increases when nano-zironia added, the maximum value of compressive strength obtained when 0.7% nano-zirconia added (45.3 MPa at 28 days, 48.3 MPa at 60 days and 52.3 MPa at 90 days). Moreover, splitting tensile strength was improved with increasing nano-zirconia content and the maximum values were at 0.7% of nano-zirconia, (5.2 MPa at 28 days, 6.6 MPa at 60 days and 8.2 MPa at 90 days), water absorption decreased when nano-zirconia percentage increased (0.12 % at 28 days and 0.1 % at 60 and 90 days). In this research, it is also observable that nano alumina powder has more influence for enhancing concrete properties than zirconia powder. Compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of concrete mix with nano alumina increased highly with increasing content of Al2O3 and reach its optimum value at 1.1 % of Al2O3 in NA6. Alumina powder has a high ability to diminish pores size and to increase density of concrete mixture; so, low permeability, low water absorption concrete produced.