Probing development of microstructure of early cement paste using ¹H low-field NMR

Abstract

Development of microstructure of early cement paste (0–6 h) was investigated with ¹H low-field NMR. It was found that T ₂ (transverse relaxation time) distributions of fresh cement paste were bimodal and two peaks were ‘long component’ and ‘short component’. Separation degree of two peaks was a sign of exchange of water within flocculation and outside flocculation. Factors such as water cement ratio, specific surface area and dosage of superplasticizer had influences on the separation degree: the separation degree increased with the water cement ratio; the separation degree of cement paste prepared with cement with a high specific surface area was zero; dosage of superplasticizer will decrease separation degree. Results also suggested that T ₂ distribution gradually moved to the left and T ₂ of long component and initial fluidity were linearly correlated.

Keywords

low-field NMR / microstructure of cement paste / superplasticizer / specific surface area / T ₂ distribution

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