Journal of Applied Science and Engineering (Sep 2022)
Evaporation, Degree Of Hydration, Porosity And Gel/Space Ratio Of Self-Curing Polymer PEG 400 Modified Ordinary Portland Cement Paste
Abstract
In this experimental work, evaporation, degree of hydration, capillary porosity, total porosity and gel/space ratio of hardened state of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) of 53 grade, incorporated with Polyethylene Glycol 400 (PEG 400) have been investigated. Curing periods considered were 3, 7 and 28 days. As the Self-Curing concretes of M20 grade with 0.55 water -cement ratio and M50 grade with 0.34 water-cement ratio were being produced in the laboratory, the water-cement ratios considered for this laboratory work were also 0.34 and 0.55. Average molecular mass of Self-Curing chemical was 400. Its dosages were 1%, 1.5% and 2% by mass of dry cement. The conventional cement paste cubes were cured by placing under water. However, cubes with PEG 400 were kept in an open air in the laboratory to self-cure. Experimental work showed that PEG 400 proved to be an effective Self-Curing chemical by retaining water, thereby reducing the evaporation, maintaining the adequate degree of hydration, exhibiting capillary porosity, total porosity and gel/space ratio values on par with the water-cured cement paste at both the water-cement ratios.
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