Effect of silica fume and SBR latex on the paste-aggregate interfacial transition zone

Abstract

This paper deals with the effect of silica fume and styrene-butadiene latex (SBR) on the microstructure of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between Portland cement paste and aggregates (basalt). Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive x ray analysis system (EDX) was used to determine the ITZ thickness. In the plain concrete a marked ITZ around the aggregate particles (55 μm) was observed, while in concretes with silica fume or latex SBR the ITZ was less pronounced (35-40 μm). However, better results were observed in concretes with silica fume and latex SBR (20-25 μm).