Microstructural Analysis for Cement Mortar with Different Nano Materials

Abstract

To study the influences of the nanomaterial upon the microstructure of the interfacial transition region of mortar that prepared with a composite binder comprising nanomaterial and to clarify its effect on the compressive strength improvement, in this study, the compressive strength, SEM analysis and XRD analysis were estimated for mortar containing different amounts of ZrO2, SiO2, Al2O3 and CaCO3 nanoparticles. Four different contents of each nanoparticles’ types were used as a partial replacement of cement with 1%, 1.5%, 3% and 5% by the weight of cement. Results manifested that the mortar compressive strength enhancement can be ascibed to the microstructure amelioration of the interfacial transition region. In addition, the XRD analysis and the SEM micrographs elucidated the formation of hydration compounds and the enhancement in bonding due to the existence of nanoparticles.