The effect of zinc, water to binder ratio and silica fume on the hydration and mechanical properties of Portland cement mixtures

Abstract

The amount of zinc in the clinker or in the secondary raw materials has been increasing in recent years mainly due to the processing of waste materials containing zinc. The aim of this work is to show the effect of zinc on hydration of Portland cement and mechanical properties. These effects were studied by isoperibol calorimetry and mechanical properties testing. Zinc was added to the cement in the form poorly soluble compound ZnO. The concentration of zinc added was chosen as 1wt. percent. The newly formed compounds during hydration were identified by X-ray diffraction method (XRD). Another objective is to show the effect of silica fume (microsilica, SF) as the secondary raw material and water to binder ratio on hydration of cement in the presence of zinc.