The ITZ microstructure, thickness, porosity and its relation with compressive and flexural strength of cement mortar; influence of cement fineness and water/cement ratio

Abstract

A new insight into the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) in cement mortar specimens (CMSs) that is influenced by cement fineness is reported. The importance of cement fineness in ITZ characterizations such as morphology and thickness is elucidated by backscattered electron images and by consequences to the compressive (F_c) and flexural strength (F_f), and porosity at various water/cement ratios. The findings indicate that by increasing the cement fineness the calcium silicate hydrate formation in the ITZ is favored and that this can refine the pore structures and create a denser and more homogeneous microstructure. By increasing cement fineness by about 25% of, the ITZ thickness of CMSs was reduced by about 30% and F_c was increased by 7%–52% and F_f by 19%–40%. These findings illustrate that the influence of ITZ features on the mechanical strength of CMSs is mostly related to the cement fineness and ITZ microstructure.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

cement fineness / interfacial transition zone / compressive and flexural strength

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