Microstructure evolution of cement-based materials under Cl−-SO42- coupling erosion in simulated ocean tidal area

Abstract

To disclose the corrosion principle of cement-based materials used in ocean tidal surrounding, the effects of chloride ion (Cl−) and sulfate (SO42−) coupling erosion on the microstructure of cement-based materials were mainly investigated. In the presence of Cl− solution at a concentration of 0.6 mol/L, the phase composition, pore structure distribution, and microscopic morphology of the hardened slurry of composite cementitious material containing 30 % fly ash (FA), or 30 % ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), or mixed with 15 % FA and 15 % GGBS with varying concentrations of SO42− were investigated, respectively. The impact of SO42− concentration and mineral admixtures on the chemical binding Cl− and microstructure was examined from the microscopic level. The results showed that adding GGBS or FA can resist Cl− and SO42− erosion; however, GGBS is more effective at chemically solidifying Cl− than that of FA. The erosion of Cl− and SO42− influence each other and contain each other. Furthermore, Friedel salt (FS) transforms into Ettringite (AFt) after the introduction of SO42−, which releases bonded Cl− into the pore solution thereby increasing free Cl− content. In higher concentration (0.8 mol/L) of Na2SO4 solutions, the cement-based material is subjected to the superimposed destruction of physical crystallization and chemical erosion of the salt solution.