Analysis of cement paste with crystalline admixture under different curing conditions
Crystalline admixture is added to concrete allowing the self-healing of its cracks. This material with admixture has an extended durability. Reference cement pastes and pastes with 1,5 % of admixture are studied in different curing conditions. An initial cure of 14 days was performed, followed by 18 days in pH 3, 7 and 11, in addition to air
cure and demineralized water saturated with lime. These samples were measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetry (TG). In addition to these tests, the pH change of the solutions was monitored. No significant alterations were obtained by the use of the additive in any curing condition. It was possible to observe a lower aggressiveness of the medium due to the stabilization of hydration reactions by the first part of the cure. The quantitative phase analyses performed by XRD and TG had similar results, validating the use of these techniques for
the analysis of cement paste.