Solid State Phenomena Vol. 321

Abstract: Climate change is recognized as a global problem and even the industrial and construction sectors are trying to reduce the green-house gas emissions, especially on CO₂ emissions. In Vietnam, the coal-fired thermal power plants are discharging millions of tons of CO₂ and coal ash annually. This coal ash is comprised of about 80% of fly ash and the rest is bottom ash. This study would like to introduce one of the potential solutions in a carbon-constrained society that would not only manage the fly ash but also utilized this as raw material for green materials through geopolymerization. The geopolymer-based material has lower energy consumption, minimal CO₂ emissions and lower production cost as it valorizes industrial waste. The fly ash containing high alumino-silicate resources from a coal-fired power plant in Vietnam was mixed with sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide solutions to obtain the geopolymeric pastes. The pastes were molded in 10x10x20cm molds and then cured at room temperature for 28 days. The 28-day geopolymer specimens were carried out to test for engineering properties such as compressive strength (MPa), volumetric weight (kg/m³), and water absorption (kg/m³). The microstructure analysis was also conducted for this eco-friendly materials using X ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Differential Thermal Analysis - Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (DTA-TGA).

Abstract: Stability of microstructure and heat resistant ability at high temperature is one of the important properties in ceramics or silicate materials which are normally exposed with fire such as refractories and insulation or other materials used in furnaces. This study used a ternary-blended geopolymer which was synthesized from an optimized mixture of red mud (RM), rice husk ash (RHA), diatomaceous earth (DE), and water glass solution (WGS) with silica modulus of 2.5. The geopolymer samples were tested thermal properties of heat resistance (%), volumetric shrinkage (%), mass loss (%) at 1000°C to evaluate thermal resistant ability. Changes of microstructure of the ternary-blended geopolymer samples were also characterized before and after exposed at high temperature using methods of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis or thermal gravimetric analysis (DTA-TGA), and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experimental results showed the ternary-blended geopolymer has high thermal stability and unchanged microstructure even at high temperatures. Hence, the geopolymer in this study is suggested to apply as an insolation with the upper limit of temperature to work at 1000°C.

Abstract: This paper deals with the comparison of non-destructive methods of measuring modulus of elasticity by ultrasonic pulse velocity method and impact resonance method. Main research is focused on scattering of measured data, where by different volunteers were used the methods mentioned above on same test sample. This paper does not deal with the conversion relationships between individual methods, but it outlines the suitability of the chosen method in participation with the nature of samples, the difficulty of measurement and the expected reproducibility and interpretability of the measured data.

Abstract: This article analyses the effect of crystallization additives on the long-term durability of self-compacting concretes (SCCs) in relation to specific types of chemically aggressive environments. The effect of both an inorganic acid solution and the aggressive solutions produced during plant ensilage were tested, while the effect of diesel on these modified concretes was also investigated. Attention was given to the effect of crystallization additives on the characteristically capillary porous structures of self-compacting concrete, specifically in terms of the long-term durability of SCCs in relation to the above-stated chemically aggressive solutions. The effect of aggressive environments was evaluated through a set of physical-mechanical trials and physical-chemical analyses.

Abstract: Practical work and is devoted to the study of the rheological and deformative properties of Geofip aluminosilicate glue, obtained on the basis of an alkaline aluminosilicate binder composition Na₂O Al₂O₃×6SiO₂×20H₂O, modified with 5% Cr₂O₃, when gluing wooden trusses in the field. The rheological and deformative properties of an aluminosilicate adhesive based on an alkaline aluminosilicate binder composition of Na₂O×Al₂O₃×6SiO₂×20H₂O modified with 5% Cr₂O₃ have been investigated. It is noted that the dynamic viscosity of the adhesive slurry in the speed range from 0.1 to 0.8 RPM varies from 147600 to 144600 cP, and the average plastic viscosity in the same speed range is 87.39 cP. It was found that at shear rates from 0.021 to 0.168 1/s, an increase in shear force from 31 to 242.9 dyne/cm² is observed due to the stabilization and uniformity of the dispersion phase particle distribution in the dispersion medium of the adhesive. It is shown that the aluminosilicate adhesive at a surface tension value of 88.1 mN/m is characterized by coefficients of wetting (s = 0.648) and fluidity (f = -62.02 mN/m), which ensures the uniformity of its application to the pine substrate. The average thickness of the adhesive layer was 1.25 mm, and the average depth of penetration of the aluminosilicate adhesive into the wood substrate, respectively, 0.12 mm. The destruction of the adhesive seam occurred at shear stresses of 515 MPa. The relative shear deformations were 162.5×10^-5 mm.

Abstract: This paper deals with the possibility of using pumice concrete as thermal insulation lining of industrial chimneys. Two formulas were prepared, the first from sulphate resistant cement and the second as a reference mixture from Cem I 42.5R. The thermal insulating properties of the prepared recipes will be evaluated as well as the resistance to the action of sulphates in 5 % sodium sulphate solution. No significant decrease in strength was observed when samples were stored in 5% sodium sulfate solution for 60 days. Only the reference series reported a significant unexpected decrease in strength.

Abstract: Heavyweight concrete is mostly used for its shielding properties in the nuclear power plants. These properties can already be influenced by the selection of the input materials. In the present study, concrete samples comprised of four-component binders based on CEM I 42.5 R, blast furnace slag, metakaolin and limestone and a mixture of barite and magnetite aggregate, were investigated. Based on Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence, Neutron Activation, and Prompt-Gamma Activation analyses, three concrete designs were prepared and tested. Mechanical, physical (namely cubic compressive strength, bulk density, longitudinal deformation, and dynamic modulus of elasticity) and thermal properties (thermal conductivity coefficient, specific heat capacity, and thermal diffusivity), which should be influenced by the long-term exposure to irradiation were investigated. Presented results confirmed that the prepared samples are heavyweight concrete with bulk density higher than 3400 kg.m-3 with a low level of longitudinal deformation (between 0.265 ‰ and 0.352 ‰). All the prepared samples belong to the C 35/45 concrete strength class.

Abstract: For concrete constructions built as underground spaces, basements or cellars, it is necessary for these constructions to be able to resist the influence of groundwater pressure that could disrupt the compactness of the entire construction by its action. For this reason, constructions of so-called white boxes are often used. White boxes are concrete constructions whose main capability is high water impermeability, exhibiting at the same time minimal volume changes. These properties could be accomplished by a series of several technological precautions, one of which is the composition of the concrete mixture itself. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the influence of finely ground limestone and the latent hydraulic addition of finely ground blast furnace slag on the properties of concrete composite such as water impermeability, water absorption, or volume changes. These properties are vital for the construction of white boxes. In this paper, the suitability of the mutual combination of active and internal additive will also be evaluated.

Abstract: This paper deals with sol-gel process and application in no cement castables based on andalusite. The use of calcium free binder increases the refractory parameters of material and allows its faster drying. Six colloidal sols from CWK Bad Köstritz based on SiO₂ were tested, which differed not only in concentration and particle size, but also in pH. The influence of silica sols on the consistency of fresh castable, initial setting and final setting times were investigated. Furthermore, basic parameters after firing, such as bulk density, apparent porosity, flexural and compressive strength, were tested.

Abstract: Forsterite refractory ceramics is utilized in the metallurgical and cement industries as a lining of metallurgical furnaces and rotary kilns for its high refractoriness up to 1850°C and refractoriness under load above 1600°C. Another significant property of forsterite is its coefficient of linear thermal expansion utilized in the electrotechnical industry for ceramic-metal joints. Addition of aluminium oxide into the raw material mixture results in creation of magnesium-alumina spinel (MgO·Al₂O₃) which improves sintering, thermal shock resistance and mechanical properties in comparison with pure forsterite ceramics. Inexpensive source of aluminium oxide is fly ash. Utilization of fly ash, secondary energetic product of coal-burning power plants, is important for the environment and sustainable development. This paper evaluated properties of fly ash-based forsterite-spinel ceramics in comparison with alumina-based forsterite-spinel ceramics. Forsterite-spinel ceramics was synthesized from olivine, calcined magnesite and fly ash/alumina powders. XRD analysis was used to determine mineralogical composition, thermal analyses were used to determine the behaviour during firing and scanning electron microscopy to determine the morphology of crystal phases. Refractoriness of pyrometric cones, refractoriness under load, thermal shock resistance, coefficient of linear thermal expansion, water absorption, porosity and modulus of rupture were also determined on fired test samples.