High performance cement composites with colloidal nano-silica

Recent studies have demonstrated the advantages of using nano-silica in building materials such as concrete due to its nano-filler effect as well as the pozzolanic reaction. However, most of the previous findings are based on normal strength cement composites. In this study, a wide range of properties of high performance cement composites are investigated with addition of colloidal nano-silica (CNS) at dosage of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%. Attributed to the pozzolanic reaction of CNS, the microstructures are denser and more homogenous. SEM observation, accelerated hydration rate and reduced Portlandite content verify this beneficial reaction. Hence, the CNS can help produce cement composites with higher mechanical strength and better durability regards to the impermeability to water and chloride ions. Also, it is found that the influence of CNS is more pronounced for composites with lower water-cement ratio at 0.30, in comparison with those at 0.50. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.