Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Microstructure and Strength of Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) Whisker Reinforced Cement Paste After Exposed to High Temperatures

  • Published:
Fire Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fire resistance research of a new building material is the important part of public protection and necessary for its large scale use in construction project. Although cheap calcium carbonate whisker (CW) could improve the mechanical properties of cementitious composites under ambient temperature, there is no information about the influence of high temperature on CW reinforced cementitious composites. In order to bridge this gap, this research studied the strength and microstructure changes of CW and CW reinforced cement paste after exposed to evaluated temperatures. CW and Portland cement paste with 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% CW having water/cement ratio of 0.30 was exposed to the temperatures of 20, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 and 1000°C. 40 mm × 40 mm × 160 mm specimens were employed to determine the residual flexural and compressive strength of CW reinforced cement. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), matched energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA) and X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD) were employed to detect the microstructure changes. CW could act as micro-fiber to increase the residual flexural and compressive strength of cement and the enhancement is better than carbon fiber and polypropylene fiber from room temperature to 600°C, which means that CW can be used to replace carbon fiber and polypropylene fiber as fire resistance additional material in cementitious composites. TGA presented that in the process of cement hydration and heating, CW may bring different hydration products phase: Ca(OH)2 and C–S–H (I). CaCO3 produced by cement hydration is not as stable as CW. The onset phase transformation temperature from aragonite CaCO3 to calcite is about 400°C, which can be proved by the XRD test and the morphologies under SEM. At the same time, internal autoclaving in cement paste produced new hydration products on the surface of the calcite CW. The bond between these new hydration products and calcite was stronger than the old hydration products and aragonite CW, proved by the EDS test. Hence, after expose to temperature range from 400°C to 600°C, CW demonstrates better reinforcing effect than that at lower temperatures. CW reinforced cementitious composites may possibly be employed as a protection material for fire easily damaged structures, due to its good residual mechanical properties after expose to evaluated temperature lower than 600°C and good economical efficiency.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wei J, Meyer C (2016) Utilization of rice husk ash in green natural fiber-reinforced cement composites: mitigating degradation of sisal fiber. Cem Concr Res 81:94–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Cao M, Li L, Xu L (2017) Relations between rheological and mechanical properties of fiber reinforced mortar. Comput Concr 20:449–459

    Google Scholar 

  3. Chen B, Liu J (2004) Residual strength of hybrid-fiber-reinforced high-strength concrete after exposure to high temperatures. Cement Concr Res 34:1065–1069

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Liu X, Ye G, De Schutter G, Yuan Y, Taerwe L (2008) On the mechanism of polypropylene fibres in preventing fire spalling in self-compacting and high-performance cement paste. Cem Concr Res 38:487–499

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Luo X, Sun W, Chan S (2000) Effect of heating and cooling regimes on residual strength and microstructure of normal strength and high-performance concrete. Cem Concr Res 30:379–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Han T, Wang H, Jin X, Yang J, Lei Y, Yang F et al (2015) Multiscale carbon nanosphere–carbon fiber reinforcement for cement-based composites with enhanced high-temperature resistance. J Mater Sci 50:2038–2048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Wang B, Han Y, Liu S (2013) Effect of highly dispersed carbon nanotubes on the flexural toughness of cement-based composites. Constr Build Mater 46:8–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Hunashyal AM, Tippa SV, Quadri SS, Banapurmath NR (2011) Experimental investigation on effect of carbon nanotubes and carbon fibres on the behavior of plain cement mortar composite round bars under direct tension. ISRN Nanotechnol 2011:1–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Metaxa ZS, Konsta-Gdoutos MS, Shah SP (2010) Mechanical properties and nanostructure of cement-based materials reinforced with carbon nanofibers and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) microfibers. ACI Spec Publ 270:115–124

    Google Scholar 

  10. Cao M, Wei J (2011) Microstructure and mechanical properties of CaCO3 whisker-reinforced cement. J Wuhan Univ Technol Mater Sci Ed 26:1004–1009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Cao M, Wei J, Wang L (2011) Serviceability and reinforcement of low content whisker in portland cement. J Wuhan Univ Technol Mater Sci Ed 26:749–753

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Cao M, Zhang C, Lv H, Xu L (2014) Characterization of mechanical behavior and mechanism of calcium carbonate whisker-reinforced cement mortar. Constr Build Mater 66:89–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Cao M, Zhang C, Wei J (2013) Microscopic reinforcement for cement based composite materials. Constr Build Mater 40:14–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Cao M, Xu L, Zhang C (2016) Rheology, fiber distribution and mechanical properties of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) whisker reinforced cement mortar. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 90:662–669

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Cao M, Zhang C, Li Y, Wei J (2015) Using calcium carbonate whisker in hybrid fiber-reinforced cementitious composites. J Mater Civil Eng 27:4014139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Li M, Yang Y, Liu M, Guo X, Zhou S (2015) Hybrid effect of calcium carbonate whisker and carbon fiber on the mechanical properties and microstructure of oil well cement. Constr Build Mater 93:995–1002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Ma H, Cai J, Lin Z, Qian S, Li VC (2017) CaCO3 whisker modified engineered cementitious composite with local ingredients. Constr Build Mater 151:1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Cao M, Zhang C, Lv H (2014) Mechanical response and shrinkage performance of cementitious composites with a new fiber hybridization. Constr Build Mater 57:45–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Ma Q, Guo R, Zhao Z, Lin Z, He K (2015) Mechanical properties of concrete at high temperature—a review. Constr Build Mater 93:371–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Xiao J, König G (2004) Study on concrete at high temperature in China—an overview. Fire Saf J 39:89–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Gales J, Parker T, Cree D, Green M (2016) Fire performance of sustainable recycled concrete aggregates: mechanical properties at elevated temperatures and current research needs. Fire Technol 52:817–845

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Abid M, Hou X, Zheng W, Hussain RR (2017) High temperature and residual properties of reactive powder concrete—a review. Constr Build Mater 147:339–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Piasta J, Sawicz Z, Rudzinski L (1984) Changes in the structure of hardened cement paste due to high temperature. Matér Constr 17:291–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Ye G, Liu X, De Schutter G, Taerwe L, Vandevelde P (2007) Phase distribution and microstructural changes of self-compacting cement paste at elevated temperature. Cem Concr Res 37:978–987

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Poon CS, Shui ZH, Lam L (2004) Compressive behavior of fiber reinforced high-performance concrete subjected to elevated temperatures. Cem Concr Res 34:2215–2222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Ahmaran M, Zbay EA, Yücel HE, Lachemi M, Li VC (2011) Effect of fly ash and PVA fiber on microstructural damage and residual properties of engineered cementitious composites exposed to high temperatures. J Mater Civil Eng 23:1735–1745

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Sikora P, Abd Elrahman M, Stephan D (2018) The influence of nanomaterials on the thermal resistance of cement-based composites—a review. Nanomater Basel 8:465

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Yoshioka S, Kitano Y (1985) Transformation of aragonite to calcite through heating. Geochem J 19:245–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Kitano Y, Hood DW, Park K (1962) Pure aragonite synthesis. J Geophys Res 67:4873–4874

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Bentz DP, Ardani A, Barrett T, Jones SZ, Lootens D, Peltz MA et al (2015) Multi-scale investigation of the performance of limestone in concrete. Constr Build Mater 75:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Ding Y, Zhang C, Cao M, Zhang Y, Azevedo C (2016) Influence of different fibers on the change of pore pressure of self-consolidating concrete exposed to fire. Constr Build Mater 113:456–469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Li Q, Gao X, Xu S, Peng Y, Fu Y (2016) Microstructure and mechanical properties of high-toughness fiber-reinforced cementitious composites after exposure to elevated temperatures. J Mater Civil Eng 28:401613211

    Google Scholar 

  33. Yermak N, Pliya P, Beaucour AL, Simon A, Noumowé A (2017) Influence of steel and/or polypropylene fibres on the behaviour of concrete at high temperature: spalling, transfer and mechanical properties. Constr Build Mater 132:240–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Wu C, Li VC (2017) Thermal-mechanical behaviors of CFRP-ECC hybrid under elevated temperatures. Compos Part B Eng 110:255–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Sanchayan S, Foster SJ (2016) High temperature behaviour of hybrid steel–PVA fibre reinforced reactive powder concrete. Mater Struct 49:769–782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Zhou Q, Glasser FP (2001) Thermal stability and decomposition mechanisms of ettringite at < 120°C. Cem Concr Res 31:1333–1339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Behnood A, Ghandehari M (2009) Comparison of compressive and splitting tensile strength of high-strength concrete with and without polypropylene fibers heated to high temperatures. Fire Safety J 44:1015–1022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Rashad AM, Bai Y, Basheer PAM, Collier NC, Milestone NB (2012) Chemical and mechanical stability of sodium sulfate activated slag after exposure to elevated temperature. Cem Concr Res 42:333–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Fall M, Samb SS (2009) Effect of high temperature on strength and microstructural properties of cemented paste backfill. Fire Saf J 44:642–651

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Komonen J, Penttala V (2003) Effects of high temperature on the pore structure and strength of plain and polypropylene fiber reinforced cement pastes. Fire Technol 39:23–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Rashad AM, Zeedan SR (2012) A preliminary study of blended pastes of cement and quartz powder under the effect of elevated temperature. Constr Build Mater 29:672–681

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Sikora P, Abd Elrahman M, Stephan D (2018) The influence of nanomaterials on the thermal resistance of cement-based composites—a review. Nanomater Basel 8:465

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Khoury GA (1992) Compressive strength of concrete at high-temperatures—a reassessment. MAG Concr Res 44:291–309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Alarcon-Ruiz L, Platret G, Massieu E, Ehrlacher A (2005) The use of thermal analysis in assessing the effect of temperature on a cement paste. Cem Concr Res 35:609–613

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Tarutani T, Clayton RN, Mayeda TK (1969) Effect of polymorphism and magnesium substitution on oxygen isotope fractionation between calcium carbonate and water. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 33:987–996

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the support of the Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos. 51678111 and 51478082.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China

    Mingli Cao, Li Li & Xing Ming

  2. CSIRO Manufacturing, Clayton, VIC, Australia

    Hong Yin

Authors
  1. Mingli Cao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Li Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hong Yin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xing Ming
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Li Li.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cao, M., Li, L., Yin, H. et al. Microstructure and Strength of Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) Whisker Reinforced Cement Paste After Exposed to High Temperatures. Fire Technol 55, 1983–2003 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-019-00839-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-019-00839-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation