Analysis of the damping behavior and microstructure of cement matrix with silane-treated silica fume

Abstract

The surface treatment of silica fume with silane coupling agent prior to incorporation in a cement mortar resulted in composites exhibiting increases in loss tangent by 5%–200% and storage modulus by 10%–20%, relative to the value obtained by using as-received silica fune. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicate that there is a morphological difference in the cement paste with treated and as-received silica fume. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectrum analyses and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) have provided evidence to understand the reaction mechanism between treated silica fume and the hydrate product of cement. This has led to the establishment of an initial microscopic model describing the damping behavior of cement matrix.

Keywords

silane coupling agent / silica fume / damping / cement matrix / microstructure

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