Deterioration Mechanism of Cement Matrix Long-term Exposed to Sulfate Solution

The objective of this work is to understand the deterioration mode of ordinary portland cement pastes and mortars immersed in 5% sodium sulfate solution for 510 days. In order to achieve the goal, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are presented in this experimental work. Strength deterioration (SDF) and length change of the mortars were also measured to evaluate resistances to the attacking solution. The mortars were prepared by using water-cement ratio of 35%, 45% and 55%, respectively, and the water-cement ratio of pastes was fixed at 45%. Conclusively, the deterioration by sodium sulfate attack was primarily due to the formation of ettringite and thaumasite. This process of deterioration may submit the reasonable understanding on the sulfate attack mechanism of hardened cement pastes, mortars, and concretes.