Freeze-thaw resistance of cement-stabilized gangue bonding materials: Effects of an ionic stabilizer

Abstract

To enhance the frost resistance of cement-stabilized gangue bonding material (CSG) in road subgrade engineering, an ionic stabilizer (ICS) was added to CSG. Then, the effects of ICS on the compression resistance and freeze–thaw resistance of CSG were investigated. And the effects of ICS on the pore structure and hydration products of the CSG were analyzed by mercury intrusion porosimetry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Finally, the mechanism of action was verified by Scanning Electron Microscopy. In addition, the fractal characteristics of the pore structure of the CSG were investigated, and the pore structure characteristics and the compressive and freeze–thaw resistance properties were related. The results showed that at a short curing age, the ICS incorporation accelerated the hydration reaction rate of cement, promoted the formation of hydration products, reduced the percentage of harmful pores in the CSG, and improved the early strength and freeze–thaw resistance of the CSG. At a long curing age, the ICS incorporation increased the polymerization of silicate gel and reduced the spacing of gangue particles, which thus improved the final strength and freeze–thaw resistance of the CSG. In addition, the pore structures of the CSG under different curing ages had fractal characteristics, and t The fractal dimension provides a better and convenient demonstration of the compressive properties and freeze–thaw resistance of CSG.