Abstract
In this paper, we comparitvley studied acetic acid attacks on geopolymer (GP-M), calcium aluminate (CAC-M), and Portland cement (PC-M)-based mortars. Consequent formations of deteriorated or transition layers surrounding the unaltered core material was classified in these three mortars, according to different degradation levels depending on what binder type was involved. Apart from mass loss, hardness, and deterioration depth, their microstructural alterations were analyzed using test methods such as scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimeter (TGA-DSC), which showed the different mechanisms for each binder type. Elemental maps revealed the decalcification (PC-M and CAC-M) and depolymerization (GP-M) that occurred across the mortar sections. The mass loss, hardness, and porosity were the least affected for GP-M, followed by CAC-M. These results points out that geopolymer-based mortars have improved acid resistance, which can be used as a potential alternative to conventional cement concretes that have been exposed to agro-industrial environments.
Highlights
Reinforced concrete structures frequently exposed to various organic acids operate in wine, animal rearing, sugar, and dairy industries
This study investigated three different mortar (-M) types made of geopolymer (GP), calcium aluminate cement (CAC), and Portland cement (PC)
The mass loss in Portland cement (PC-M), calcium aluminate (CAC-M), and GP-M after an acid exposure of 22 days was 12%, 11%, and 5%; after 44 days, it was 17%, 16% and 7% (Figure 3a). These results indicate that the deterioration degree in GP-M was significantly less for PC-M and CAC-M
Summary
Reinforced concrete structures frequently exposed to various organic acids (i.e., acetic, citric, lactic, propionic, and butyric) operate in wine, animal rearing, sugar, and dairy industries. The aggressiveness of such aqueous media is dependent on the acid’s constant dissociation Among the different acids from agro-industrial waste waters, an acetic acid attack on cement concrete is the most common type. It progressively dissolves the binder phases, wherein carbonate aggregates follow a diffusion-dissolution-precipitation controlled deterioration process. The siliceous aggregates remain chemically unaltered [4]
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