Durability and chromatic behavior in cement pastes containing ceramic industry milling and glazing by‐products

Abstract

AbstractThe decay in mortar and concrete induced by extremely aggressive agents is normally the result of the agent‐binder reaction. Cement composition and characteristics therefore determine the durability of the mortars and concretes of which they form part. The existing legislation envisages the use of different types of additions in cement, which have a direct effect on the durability of elements in buildings and civil works. This study addressed the inclusion of ceramic industry milling and glazing sludge as an active addition in cement. The reuse of this industrial waste is consistent with environmental policies that seek to reduce or eliminate spoil heaps by recycling industrial waste and byproducts as raw materials, in keeping with circular economy principles. The research conducted makes an innovative contribution to the valorization of this waste, and highlights the resistance of blended cement pastes to chemical agents, further to the Koch‐Steinegger method. Water‐induced decay in freeze/thaw situations was also studied. The processes involved were identified by analyzing the mineralogical variations detected with X‐ray diffraction, the morphological alterations observed with scanning electron microscopy and the mercury porosimetric findings on pore size distribution. The suitability of these binders for aesthetically demanding applications was also explored by measuring the color in pastes exposed to aggressive chemical agents. For the first time, a correlation was established between color parameters and the formation of the reaction products generated during chemical attack.