Paraffin Wax as a Sealant in Sorptivity Testing

Abstract

AbstractThe durability and sustainability of concrete structures is a prime socioeconomic concern of contemporary society. The lifecycle of these structures is typically determined by the rate of moisture ingress, in which dissolved and unwanted substances are transported into the structure. Therefore finding a sufficient means to measure these rates is of utmost importance. A sorptivity testing scheme as outlined by a commonly used standard can be a useful means of measuring how quickly liquid can be transported unidirectionally through concrete samples in the laboratory. Currently the standard prescribes that disc specimens 100 mm in diameter and 50-mm thick be sealed in such a manner to ensure unidirectional flow through one, unsealed face of the sample, while all other surfaces are appropriately sealed. However the standard does not specify how this seal is to be achieved. Furthermore, differing methods have yielded a likewise array of varied results, which may not be representative of the true sorpti...