According to Iran Nanotechnology Initiaitve Council (INIC), Iranian researchers from University of Mazandaran used silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles to produce a sample of cement and concrete with high durability and stability.
Results of the research have applications in civil engineering, specially concrete industry.
Since mechanical behavior of concrete components depend on its structural elements, efforts have been made in this research to change the molecular structure of cement and concrete by using silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles in a way to modify the general characterization of concrete components.
Results of the research confirm the modification in characterization of silicon carbide containing cement. The nanoparticles in fact strengthen the cement matrix. As a result, mechanical properties, durability and performance of the concrete improve.
According to the researchers, silicon carbide nanoparticles decrease the amount of calcium hydroxide but increase the amount of stable gel of hydrated calcium silicate (C-S-H). This fact modifies the transfer area between the aggregate and the cement matrix. Hydrated calcium silicate plays the key role in increasing the strength and durability of the concrete and it creates the glue that sticks together the concrete components.
Based on the studies, silicon carbide nanoparticles filled many pores and voids at nanometric scale as fillers and they decreased diffusivity but resulted in a denser structure in the sample. Therefore, a sticky denser matrix was produced. The nanoparticles also decreased roughness and the internal strain of the samples.
Results of the research have been published in National Academy Science Letters, vol. 38, issue 4, 2015, pp. 361-364.
MS/PR