Using bio-based polymers for curing cement-based materials

Using bio-based polymers for curing cement-based materials

Zlopasa, J.
Koenders, E.A.B.
Picken, S.J.

Civil Engineering and Geosciences

Structural Engineering

2014-06-08

Curing is the process of controlling the rate and extent of moisture loss from the surface of cement based materials. It is the final stage in the production of cement-based materials and it is the essential part for achieving continuous hydration of cement, while avoiding cracking due to drying shrinkage. Continuous cement hydration also guarantees a strong bond between aggregate, fewer voids, and depercoliation of capillary pores. Thus, a properly cured cement-based material is prepared for a long service life. Using environmentally friendly, water based bio-polymers could help to achieve more durable cement-based materials, and, therefore preventing a premature end of service life of building materials. Rapid Chloride Migration tests and Environmental Scanning Microscope are employed to investigate the functional properties, e.g. transport property, and microstructure properties, respectively. Mortar samples were cured in air and applied by water-based curing compound, made of sodium alginate. We observed strong beneficial effects of applying sodium alginate as a curing compound in terms of microstructure and hydration development. Based on these results, a less porous microstructure and an improved durable cement-based material was achieved that was prepared for longer service life.

curing
bio-based polymer
transport property
microstructure

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:dd760c59-7f6f-40b1-9ed7-c96567921a94

DCMat Ageing Centre, Delft University of Technology

978-94-6186-314-0

AMS 14: Proceedings of the 1st Ageing of Materials & Structures Conference, Delft, The Netherlands, 26-28 May 2014

Institutional Repository

conference paper

(c) The authors