TITLE:
Influence of Nano-Barium Sulfate Agglomeration on Microstructure and Properties of the Hardened Cement-Based Materials
AUTHORS:
Mohamed El-Shahate Ismaiel Saraya, Inas Mostafa Bakr
KEYWORDS:
Nano-Barium Sulfate, Cement Paste, Filler, Compressive Strength, Microstructure
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering,
Vol.3 No.11,
November
27,
2015
ABSTRACT: The aim of the present work is to study the effect of Nano-barium sulfate additions on the physic-mechanical properties of hardened cement pastes. Nano-barium sulfate was prepared by the precipitation method. Eight mixes of filled cement pastes containing 0.5 wt%, 1.0 wt%, 1.5 wt% and 2.0 wt% of both nano-barium sulfate and micro-limestone were prepared and compared to the base OPC. The hydration characteristics were evaluated by the measure of combined water content, bulk density, total porosity and compressive strength for samples hydrated up to 90 days. The progress of hydration reactions was followed up by XRD analysis. The morphology and microstructure were studied by SEM. Nano-size barium sulfate acted as a nucleating agent and enhanced the hydration of cement pastes up to 2.0% mass content. Also, the microstructure was improved considerably. Accordingly, nano-size barium sulfate can be used successfully in the preparation of filled cement.