High-quality Cement Research Articles

Development of a cement mortar containing silica fume for the production of cement tiles

This paper deals with the experimental study carried out the Reyntjens Laboratory of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, to develop a cement-based mortar for the production of high-quality cement tiles. The research aimed to improve the low flexural strength of cement tiles and to avoid the annoying lime efflorescence. Tor each these objectives, the mortar composition and treatment were studied to change the pore size distribution and to lower the concentration of free calcium hydroxide. The investigation methods included mechanical tests to determine strength properties, physical tests to measure porosity, microscopy and photoreflectometry. The programme showed the possibility of producing a high-strength mortar and decreasing the annoying lime annoying efflorescence by using silica fume.