Comparative Study of Commercial Crystalline Waterproofing Admixtures on the Hydration Properties of Cement Pastes

Abstract

Three different types (K, P, and X) of crystalline water proofing admixture have been chosen to study the effect on Portland cement (OPC) pastes. Several studies such as water consistency, setting time, water percolation, heat evolution, differential thermal analysis (DTA), compressive strength and expansion in corrosive atmosphere for the OPC with admixtures in it were performed. Morphology studies of OPC with the admixtures were also carried out. Results indicated better efficiency of K-Type admixture due to the presence of dendrite structure as revealed from scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Keywords: Portland cement, crystalline waterproofing admixtures, hydration, microstructure