Properties and utilization of zeolite-blended portland cements

The resistance to acidic and sulfate attack of Portland-pozzolan cement containing 35 wt.% of zeolite was compared with that of unamended Portland cement. Mortar specimens kept in 0.5% and 1.0% HCl solution, 5% Na2SO4 solution, and in reference water for 365 and 720 days were tested using a set of physical-mechanical and chemical techniques. The ability of mortars containing zeolitic cements with 15 to 50 wt.% of zeolite to protect steel against corrosion was verified by a potentiodynamic method. Mortar with zeolitic cement performs better when exposed to 1% HCl solution due to the presence of a finer pore matrix, a hydrate phase poorer in CaO-containing hydration products with lower leachability, and the high resistance of zeolite material itself to acidic attack, compared with Portland cement and siliceous sand. The improved sulfate resistance of the mortar with zeolitic cement is caused by the decreased C(3)A in the cement blend in comparison with that in Portland cement, a reduction in SO3 binding into the cement paste and decreased amount of CaO-containing hydration products capable of reacting with a sulfate solution forming voluminous reaction products, and consequent crack propagation, large expansion and structural disintegration. Passivation of steel in mortars with blends of Portland cement to zeolite percentage ratios of 85/15, 75/25 and 65/35 by weight is comparable to that of Portland cement mortar. This is particularly important because the mortar with zeolitic cement exhibits late strengths similar to that of Portland cement mortar. This confirms that zeolitic cement can replace Portland cement in many applications with the advantage of higher resistance to acidic and sulfate attack.