Ultrasonic surface treatment for improving wind-blown sand erosion resistance of cementitious materials

Abstract

In this study, we present a method that employed ultrasound to impose vibration on the surfaces of cementitious materials at the early stage of hydration to form a hardening layer and improve the surface hardness. The formation mechanism of the ultrasonic hardening layer (UHL) was analyzed, and the density and surface hardness of the UHL were measured. An experimental study was carried out to determine the effect of the UHL on improving the wind-blown sand erosion resistance of cementitious materials. Experimental data show that the UHL has a density 3.3% greater and a hardness 136% greater than that of the contrast samples after 28-days of curing. Wind-blown sand erosion tests data show that to the specimens with 28-days curing age, the UHL can improve the erosion resistance for 12.8–24.1% versus that of the contrast in a 30-min erosion procedure. • A layer known as the UHL can be formed by ultrasonic vibration applied on the surface of cementitious composites. • UHL had the characteristics of higher density and higher surface hardness. • In the UHL, the micro-structure of the composite was promoted. • The UHL improved the erosion resistance of the cement mortar specimens in a wind-blown sand erosion test.