Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Modified Magnesium Oxysulfate Cement Incorporating Alkali Conditioner

Abstract

Magnesium oxysulfate cement is an ecological gas-hardening cementitious material. The cement has a complex system, insufficient hydration, and unstable hydration products, so that the cement mechanical property is poor. In this study, calcium chloride/carbon dioxide/weak buffer solution is used to generate alkaline additive, namely vaterite calcium carbonate. The additive material is characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, and then the optimal MgO/MgSO4/H2O molar ratio after calcium carbonate is added to magnesium oxysulfate cement, the optimal laying method and reasonable amount of vaterite calcium carbonate are analyzed by mechanical tests. In the experiment, the basic additive is characterized firstly. It is found that the XRD of the additive mainly includes the peaks of calcite and vaterite. It can be seen by scanning electron microscopy that many calcites and vaterites are not formed, the calcites are accumulated more, and there is a large number of particles, which are not appeared before. In the mechanical test of magnesium sulfide cement, the mechanical properties of magnesium oxysulfate cement will increase firstly and then decrease with the increase of MgO/MgSO4 molar ratio in the way of long-cut calcium carbonate for reinforcement. Compared with the layout of long-cut calcium carbonate-magnesium oxysulfate cement, the layout of short-cut calcium carbonate-magnesium oxysulfate cement can enhance the toughness of the modified cement, increase the amount of calcium carbonate, and improve the flexural strength and toughness index of the modified magnesium oxysulfate cement. The blending ratio is better to be 6%. Based on above researches and demonstrations, blending the calcium carbonate-based alkaline additive can effectively improve the mechanical properties of the magnesium oxysulfate cement.