EFFECT OF SODIUM CARBONATE ON THE HARDENING PROCESS OF THE PORTLAND CEMENT COMPOSITE

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Authors

P.V. Kulyaev, A.V. Brovkin, R. Z. Tsybina, A.V. Gavrilenko

Abstract

The article enlightens a number of chemical transformations during hydration of Portland cement blended with sodium carbonate. Excess of ions CO3 in solution slows down the development of portlandite (calcium hydroxide) and provide intensive growth of calcium carbonate (calcite) crystals in hydrated cement, especially during the first day of hardening. It is shown that there are differences in strength between the solidified Portland cement mixture without and with the addition of Na2CO3. Soda modifies the procedure for the entry into the hydration reaction of the clinker components of the cement. With a certain increase in its content in the mixture, a slight increase in cubic strength for the dry-hardening specimens is also observed.

Keywords

sodium carbonate, hydration, cubic strength.