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Ettringite instability in supersulfated cement: Investigation under different curing regimes

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Abstract

The global discussion on CO2 emission reduction policies has encouraged the search for sustainable concrete binder materials, such as supersulfated cement (SSC), since this binder is composed mainly of blast-furnace slag. However, despite having relevant environmental and mechanical properties, when compared to Portland cement, little is known regarding its complex process of hydration and durability. It is known that the primary hydration products of SSC are ettringite and calcium-silicate-hydrate (C–S–H), and the instability of the former has been observed in some studies. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of the SSC curing process on the formation of ettringite. SSC pastes were produced and subjected to four different curing processes. The hydration process was followed by potentiometry (pH), compressive strength tests, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetry (TG/DTG), carried out from 7 to 92 days. The best mechanical strength results were obtained at 58 days, but at 92 days, a drop in strength was observed, accompanied by ettringite instability in all of the curing processes investigated. The results verified the formation of calcium sulfate hemihydrate and calcite, indicating the occurrence of intense natural carbonation of ettringite.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Central de Análises of the Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) by its infrastructure support for the development of this research.

Funding

The authors would like to thank CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) for the research grant and CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development), process 424896/2018–4, for the financial assistance that allowed this study to be carried out.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Federal Technological University of Paraná, Pato Branco, PR, CEP 85501970, Brazil

    Leticia Poggere Pinto

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George St, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A4, Canada

    R. Douglas Hooton

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, Federal Technological University of Paraná, Pato Branco, PR, CEP 85501970, Brazil

    Caroline Angulski da Luz

Authors
  1. Leticia Poggere Pinto
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  3. R. Douglas Hooton
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Contributions

Leticia Poggere Pinto: Investigation, Writing—Original Draft, Caroline Angulski da Luz: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing—Review & Editing, Supervision, Funding acquisition, R. D. Hooton: Review & Editing. Conceptualization: Ideas; formulation or evolution of overarching research goals and aims, Methodology: Development or design of methodology; tests, materials, Investigation: Conducting a research and investigation process, specifically performing the experiments and analysis of results, Writing—Original Draft: Preparation of the published work, specifically writing the initial draft (including substantive translation), Writing—Review & Editing: Preparation of the published work by those from the original research group, specifically critical review, commentary or revision, Supervision: Oversight and leadership responsibility for the research activity planning and execution, Funding acquisition: Acquisition of the financial support for the project leading to this publication.

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Correspondence to Caroline Angulski da Luz.

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Poggere Pinto, L., Angulski da Luz, C. & Hooton, R.D. Ettringite instability in supersulfated cement: Investigation under different curing regimes. Mater Struct 57, 55 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-024-02330-0

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